I remember picking this game up because I was looking for something new.
I loved the Resident Evil Series. I loved Doom 3. F.E.A.R. was
interesting, but quickly forgotten. Now I needed something new to creep
me out and cause me to jump off the couch in the wee hours of the
morning. That something new was Deadspace.
You assume the role of Isaac Clarke, an engineer aboard a rescue ship
inbound for the USG Ishimura. The Ishimura is a huge space ship
affectionately called a "planet cracker." The ship is, in essence, is a
giant piece of mining equipment. While the Ishimura was mining its
latest planet its radio antenna goes out and it loses contact with the
outside. Now enter Isaac and his crew to repair the ship. As you board
the Ishimura, you quickly realize, something has gone horribly wrong
aboard the ship. The repair mission quickly devolves from a repair
mission, to a rescue mission, to just surviving this bloody mess. You
quickly discover the ship is infested with horrid mutations named
necromorphs. Are they demons? Are they zombies? Are they genetic
abominations? I'll let you play the game and discover that. Rest
assured, this game provides you with a gripping storyline and memorable
characters that will stay with you long after your shaking hands have
stilled.
On to the technical details:
Storyline: Original, memorable, and well told. There are familiar
elements from other games such as the space theme, but this game takes a
whole new twist on the genre. You aren't a testosterone filled space
marine with advanced weaponry...you're just a man, trapped in the middle
of this chaos trying to survive. As you make your way through the ship
you uncover more and more of the horrid truth and source of the
necromorphs. The video and audio logs you find along the way only help
to further freak you out and move the storyline along.
Graphics/Atmosphere: Very, very creepy. From the blood stained halls,
to the horridly disgusting necromorphs, the game's graphics do not
disappoint. The animations are very fluid. The game also lacks a HUD,
instead, glowing parts of Isaac's suit and weapons function as your
health and ammo meters. A great new concept that keeps you immersed in
the game.
Sound/Atmosphere: The sound is very well done. The guns and mining
equipment (turned weapon) are all crisp and powerful sounding. The
echoes and distant screams serve to keep you on the edge of your seat
for the entire game as your search for the light switch in your living
room.
Gameplay/Controls: Very tight controls and fluid motions. The game
play is a combination between a third person shooter and a survival
horror game. It is not a run and gun game, but at the same time, it is
not like the Resident Evil series where you have to plant your feet to
shoot. Its very well done to make it challenging, but not make you feel
completely helpless, nor unstoppable. The new zero gravity gameplay
also adds a new level of challenge and innovation to the game. And one
more thing...head shots don't work so well. No, in order to kill these
baddies you must strategically dismember them by blasting off limbs,
tentacles and all sorts of weird stuff.
Bosses: ...are freakin' tough! Yes, the bosses are actually
challenging in this game. Defeating them will leave you with a sense of
accomplishment. It may also cause you to jump off your seat and
scream, "Yes! Die you @#$@!" at your TV or monitor.
Overall: This has been one of the scariest games I've played. If you
enjoy survival horror, or just want a challenging game this is
definitely worth your money.
