Editors Note: This review is singularly focused on the single-player element of Dead Space 2 and does not account for any of the multiplayer within the game.
Few times in my gaming career have I ever felt that a game truly mastered the art of psychological horror. A foreboding sense that not only is your player character losing their mind, but so are you. In Dead Space 2 this feeling is compounded. From the horrific scene of violence, to the disturbing voices in your head Dead Space 2 not only states this idea, it perfects it. This feeling of insanity makes Dead Space 2 one of the most engrossing (and sometimes flat out gross) experiences of the year.
Like it predecessor Dead Space 2 puts you in the roll of Engineer Isaac Clark, the only survivor of the outbreak on the USG Ishimura. After escaping the horrors on board the Ishimura, Isaac finds himself trapped on the Sprawl a large space station that orbits Titan one of the moons of Saturn. However Isaac finds that the station has been overrun by Necromorphs. With all hope of the station lost, Isaac must once again fight his way out of his dire predicament.
One of the biggest strength Dead Space 2 has over its previous installments is the fleshing out of the lead character Isaac Clarke. In Dead Space Isaac was simple another silent protagonist who was somewhat one-dimensional. In Dead Space 2 he is fleshed out into a disturbed yet even headed man whose singular goal is to survive by any means possible. Developer Visceral Games also chooses to explore Isaac’s deepest disturbance, the death of his girlfriend Nicole onboard the USG Ishimura.
This relationship leads to my personal favorite aspect of the game, the insanity effect. During random moments of gameplay Isaac will begin to hear Nicole’s voice calling out to him, sometimes even seeing her. The psychological tension give the game a refreshing feel, instead of relying singularly on jump scares, Dead Space 2 literally plays with your head.
As far as controls goes not much has changed between Dead Space and Dead Space 2 and in reality it did not need to. The game still use the third person “Gear of War” combat system with a couple of small twists and tweaks (such no firing from the hip). The controls are fluid and responsive with no real issues, which frankly in this day and age is huge. Never do you as the player feel that control issues are to blame for your death, it simply is on you.
One of Dead Space 2 greatest aspects is that of its technical achievement. From the far-reaching space in the distance to the silence of deep space itself, Dead Space engrosses the player into a world that makes you feel small. The sound design especially is frankly stunning in its design. From the far off cries of humans being slain by Necromorphs, to the crackling sound of Isaac’s radio every sound aspect further sells the player on this horrifying experience.
If there is one minor complaint I have with Dead Space 2 it is the sudden difficulty spikes that occur throughout the game. Some of the more difficult moments within the game are towards the beginning and feel out of place. While it isn’t a game debilitating issue its one that can lead to a sense of frustration that will inevitable lead to some raging quitting.
Overall Dead Space 2 is a persuasive and fulfilling game experience with very few flaws in sight. From the technical majesty of both the sound and art design, to the meticulous attention to detail Dead Space 2 is not only and improvement, but a leap forward for the series. Developer Visceral Games stuck with a great formula and even seems to improve upon it. While at time the difficulty spike can lead to frustrating moments the games great psychological horror and compelling story will keep you driving through it.