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Dead Space (Xbox 360)

Manufacturer: Electronic Arts Inc. Part number: 15564

CNET Editor rating:
4.5 stars Spectacular
Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 4 reviews

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Gamespot editors' review

Dead Space (Xbox 360)

price range: $58.99 - $59.99

Reviewed by: Lark Anderson
Reviewed on: 10/13/2008
Updated on:10/21/2008
Released on: 10/13/2008

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The survival horror genre is rife with games in which you are isolated in a hostile environment full of monsters, and Dead Space is no exception. But from the moment you're thrown into the middle of the fray in the heart-pounding introduction until the bone-chilling conclusion, it's clear that this is something quite unique. With its disturbingly twisted visuals, its deeply engrossing story, and innovative strategic dismemberment combat system, Dead Space is a best-in-its-class game that surpasses other entries in its venerable genre in nearly every way and will be the standard by which they are judged for years to come.

When the Concordance Extraction Corporation loses radio contact with its Planet Cracker-class mining ship, the USG Ishimura, engineer Isaac Clarke is dispatched on a routine mission to repair its communications array. However, Clarke is also on a mission of his own, having recently received a cryptic message from Nicole Brennan, a medical officer serving aboard the Ishimura. While on board he intends to reunite with her and learn the meaning behind her strange broadcast. Unfortunately, the moment you set foot on the derelict ship, it's obvious that something terrible has happened.

Meet the Necromorph. This is one lady you don't want to dance with.

As Isaac, you are separated almost immediately from the rest of your team by the former crew of the Ishimura, which has been transformed into horrifying monsters called Necromorphs. Forced to fight for his survival, Isaac makes do with the tools at hand to defend himself with, which are for the most part repurposed mining instruments like plasma welding guns or buzz saws. These improvised weapons are put to graphic, gruesome work as bodily damage and even severe head trauma isn't enough to kill a Necromorph--only by severing their limbs can you put them down for good. This nuance, referred to as strategic dismemberment, vastly alters the way combat is approached in Dead Space from the typical "aim for the head"-style gameplay seen in most action games and zombie apocalypse scenarios.

Every class of Necromorph requires a different strategy to handle, and knowing how to combat multiple types simultaneously is an essential skill if you want to survive for long. Though dismemberment is ultimately the key to victory, failing to finish off a monster properly will only send it into a berserker rage and force it to adapt to its new, partially appendageless situation so that it can continue trying to eat your face. Even more alarming than their ghastly appearances and uncouth manners is the fact that they are quite intelligent. Necromorphs attack in packs using loose team tactics, and are capable of traversing the ship's extensive ventilation system to sneak around for outflanking or ambushing. They feign death among the corpses of their peers to rise up and attack when you least expect it, and they often come in waves, leaving you wondering if it's truly over or if they're simply toying with you.

The most basic Necromorphs are humanoid monsters that attack in a frenzy. Horribly mutated undead babies also make an appearance, and they run along the walls and ceilings sprouting tentacles from their backs capable of throwing organic projectiles. Others still are heavily armored but vulnerable from behind, are bloated with dozens of spiderlike parasites that are released upon their host's death, or shriek madly as they carry explosive pods toward you in a suicidal charge. In one fully interactive gameplay sequence that comprises some of the more amazing moments to be experienced in Dead Space, you're assaulted by the gigantic tentacle of an even larger, unseen beast that drags you to a gruesome and bloody death as you struggle to shoot yourself free.

Finally, at several key points in the story, Isaac stumbles upon some of the most incredible and truly terrifying boss monsters to be seen in the survival horror genre. Though revealing the circumstances around which you confront these nightmares would do much to spoil them, it is safe to say that these epic encounters are easily some of the most remarkable seen in years.

Having all the traditional HUD elements built into your suit makes grisly scenes like this that much more immersive.

One of the first things to notice in Dead Space is that it features a complete lack of a traditional heads-up display; instead, pertinent information is integrated directly into Isaac's RIG uniform. To see his current health you need only glance at the iridescent meter built into the RIG's spine (or pay attention to his physical cues), and to see how much ammo is left in your current weapon, simply check the display readout visible whenever you raise it into the ready position. If you ever find yourself wondering where you need to be next, you need only press in the right analog stick for Isaac's RIG to temporarily trace a beam of light on the ground toward your next objective. When called up, menus are holographically projected ahead of you in real time, producing a sense of urgency as you remain vulnerable to attack. These simple yet ingenious systems ensure that you remain firmly within the realm of the gameworld at all times, preserving the horror experience.

Your ultimate goal aboard the Ishimura is to escape from it, hopefully along with Nicole; but to get to that point you must first accomplish a series of dependent tasks. Guided remotely or in person by the remaining survivors of your doomed repair operation, your missions take you from deck to deck in a logical chain of events. For example, early on you discover that the ship's orbit is decaying because its engines are offline, so you must travel to engineering to refuel and restore them. Once they're back online and the Ishimura begins to correct its course, you realize that you're about to pass through an asteroid belt and that the automated defense systems are down, so it's off to do something about that.

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Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 4 reviews
My rating: 0 stars

Showing opinion 1 to 4 out of 4

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10 stars

Best Horror Game on 360

by Rmcski21 on December 9, 2008

Pros: Outstanding Graphics
Lighting/Shadows are top notch
Good Story
Horrifying Enemies
Creepy Environments
Quite Possibly the perfect HUD
Brilliant Shooting Tactics (no head shots in this game)
Hours upon hours of scary/creepy fun

Cons: Some overwhelmingly difficult sections
A few minor glitches with character animations
Possibly too creepy???
One boss in particular is difficult to beat, and there's no explanation as to how you go about beating it.

Summary: I have to be 100% honest here, this game scares the crap out of me. It's gotten to the point where I don't play it alone, I'll ...

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Summary: I have to be 100% honest here, this game scares the crap out of me. It's gotten to the point where I don't play it alone, I'll have a friend over and we'll dive into it. On the plus side of that, even my friends are entertained by it when they watch me play!

I have to say, I don't think I've ever seen a more perfect lighting presentation. The visual lighting effect are sooooo good. Shadows play a large part in the game since sometimes you'll see enemy shadows moving around before you see the enemy itself. Also, one scene in particular leaves you in a near pitch black room with 3-4 growling enemies and nothing but the flashlight on your gun, this scene was the scene that made me stop playing it alone.
The Ambient noises often give goosebumps. Something about being alone in a dark corridor with strange, subtle whispering happening all around you (GET DOLBY 5.1 SURROUND SOUND) sends chills down your spine.

I've often found with horror games that they tend to over due the jumpy scary parts, where an enemy jumps out of a door or window or whatever and you jump out of your seat. Sure, its a really key part to a horror game, but dead space does more. There are many moments where you'll expect to jump out of your seat but nothing will happen. There's even better moments where you'll stumble upon a lonely survivor mumbling alone in the dark. I think the combination of scary elements really adds a level of depth and an over all feeling of doom and hopelessness to the game where-as other games settle to just make you jump a few times.

Last but not least, the way the scenes are handled outside the space ship are absolutely genius. Since you're in space, you're obviously wearing a suit that allows you to breathe. Well when you are forced to go outside the ship for brief periods, don't think you're safe from attackers. In fact, be even more cautious, because with no gravity, they can come from all angles. The creepy part about being outside is that all you can hear is your own breathing and the faint boom of your gun, but when enemies scream as they run to attack you, you hear nothing. Crreeeeeeeepppppyyyyy.

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10 stars

Outstanding game

by kenmil01 on November 30, 2008

Pros: Sound, graphics and depth of story

Cons: I find it hard to stay in one piece !

Summary: This is the best game I have played since Bioshock and that is saying something. If you like solving a few puzzles, battling horrific monsters and struggling to prevent yourself ...

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Summary: This is the best game I have played since Bioshock and that is saying something. If you like solving a few puzzles, battling horrific monsters and struggling to prevent yourself from being dismembered, you are going to love this game. And, unlike a lot of games these days, it isn't over in two evenings play.

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10 stars

GREAT GAME! Better then expected!!!!

by not2worried on October 27, 2008

Pros: Great story... really pulls you in. The atmosphere is creep. Graphics are top notch. The sound is frightful.

Cons: No online ! LOL

Summary: If you like a good single player game... What are you waiting for!

Summary: If you like a good single player game... What are you waiting for!
8 stars

Definitely one to buy

by rbhamric on October 16, 2008

Pros: It is as good as advertised... Very polished and fluid. Great sound. Creepiest since BioShock. I love the integration of things like the health bar, saving your game, and the compass. It makes you say why didnt they didnt think of that before.

Cons: Dont get too excited about the color changes you can make to your rig - they are not as polished and integrated into the game as the ones that come with the game. Stick with the original.

Summary: Get the game. Turn it up loud, then turn it up even louder. This is what its all about.

Summary: Get the game. Turn it up loud, then turn it up even louder. This is what its all about.

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Specifications

Manufacturer: Electronic Arts Inc.
Part number: 15564

Product Basic Spec
Platform Xbox 360
ESRB rating Mature - Intense Violence,Blood and Gore,Strong Language
Genre Action
Elements Action - adventure
Number of players 1 Player

Game
Developer Electronic Arts
ESRB Mature
ESRB descriptors Intense Violence,Blood and Gore,Strong Language
Max number of players 1
Release date 2008-10-13

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Dead Space (Xbox 360)

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