The aspects that define a proper survival horror game usually consist of two consequential aspects: the lack of proper amounts of ammunition, and an unsettling atmosphere that continually gives you nightmares long after the horror is over. Dead Space 2, while never touting itself as something cutting-edge or entirely unique, does all of this to a T. Like the series’ original back in 2008, its horror roots harken back to last generation’s Resident Evil 4 with its behind-the-back viewpoint and third-person shooting. And even two years later, Dead Space 2’s persona as being “Resident Evil in space” can still, arguably, take this claim if not entirely true. But even if this were the case or not, Dead Space 2 gives you enough thrills and chills to get back in the strategic dismembering mood once again.
Like the original Dead Space, you are put into the shoes of Isaac Clarke, a space engineer that has gotten himself into sticky situations more than he’d probably like. His struggles throughout his nightmarish quest on the USG Ishimura was brought upon him after he, and a couple of other of his companions, were sent there to investigate the lifeless spaceship. What they didn’t expect was the ship being invaded be an alien species called the “Necromorphs.” Eventually they discover that these creatures are being controlled by a giant structure called the “Marker” which he subsequently destroys and saves the day. Yay.
But unlike the original title, EA has completely done-away with the “silent protagonist” that Isaac was portrayed as. Instead, Clarke is a talkative male lead that will take off his helmet completely if need be. This adds another dimension to his story that was lacking from the original. Clarke will talk to other characters, he’ll grunt and shout while stomping enemies to death. But throughout the campaign Isaac struggles with his own personal demons—basically, he’s slowly going insane. He’ll get eerie flashbacks to the events of the escape from the Ishimura, all while trying to figure out what the hell is going on himself.
As with its predecessor before it, Dead Space 2 is fundamentally one giant escape plan that gets hairier as the game rolls on. While the original Dead Space was primarily set in the dark, rusty, warehouse-like setting of the Ishimura, Dead Space 2’s setting completely varies from chapter to chapter. At one point you’ll be blasting your way through an abandoned strip mall while in the next chapter you’ll be avoiding exploding demon babies in a space daycare. To this point though, Dead Space 2 is far more straight-forward. You will no longer back track to areas you’ve previously explored; your main goal will always be to get from point A to point B with no reason to turn around.
There are other significant aspects of the original are fundamentally the same in Dead Space 2, as well. The general feel, the shooting, and the dismemberment are all generally the same with the exception of Isaac’s quicker movement speed. Shooting is all done in third person and taking out each Necromorph’s limbs is the only real way to defeat them. Each weapon you acquire are still labeled as “tools” rather than “guns,” but definitely still do a great deal to enemies’ limbs. It all feels really good, too. Taking out an enemy’s leg then stomping it to death never got old with its satisfying blood splatter and gut wrenching sound effects.
Dead Space 2 essentially resembles a sequel that is greatly improved on from its original in nearly every facet. The action is much faster and the gunplay is much tighter. The upgrading of weapons is greatly improved as well, with a much smaller upgrade tree for each weapon and a greater selection of power nodes to locate. I still had the same problem with the weapons, though, as I felt only a handful of them were useful while the rest were just throw-aways. Ammunition is again scarce, and with a greater variety of baddies your margin for error is significantly smaller.
It may sound very repetitive, but Dead Space 2 will still feel extremely similar to the original game. Regardless of this, Dead Space 2’s audiovisual presentation has been significantly improved. All running at a never-stuttering 30 frames per second, the dark, eerie corridors of the original are now replaced by expansive environments with amazing lighting and phenomenal sound design. The game is much more colourful, the use of some of the lighting effects are completely jaw dropping, and the entire Sprawl looks like a beautiful, crumbling space city.
Furthermore, Dead Space 2 is a much better game played with an expensive stereo system, or at least a decent headset. The screams and crashes funneling around Isaac throughout the campaign constantly ramp up the atmosphere tremendously, plus the inclusion of the Isaac’s persistent “going insane” aspect works nicely in tranquil situations. If you’re not playing this game will the speakers turned up and the lights off, you’re playing it wrong.
Even with its somewhat short 9-10 hour campaign, Visceral Games could’ve easily released Dead Space 2 as a strictly single player experience. Despite this, Visceral decided that a multiplayer mode should be added to perhaps sway the “game renters” away from their normal routines. Whilst I definitely don’t think the multiplayer in Dead Space 2 is considerably bad by any stretch of the imagination, I found it to be monotonous only after my first batch of games.
It was pretty fun going around as an enemy chopping dude’s head off and killing the target with the objective marker, but it got tiring after a while. There’s only the one mode to choose from and leveling up seems to take a pretty long time. Basically, getting the better weapons takes you too much time to get there. Also, the only real difference between this and single player is actually controlling the Necromorphs directly, and even that can get dull. I doubt that Visceral thought the multiplayer would have the staying power as something like Call of Duty or Halo, but it’s competent enough to at least give it a try.
In any case, I doubt you’ll play Dead Space 2 for its multiplayer. In fact, I doubt many people will even try the multiplayer in the first place. Dead Space 2’s single player campaign is such a fast-paced, unsettlingly gruesome, incredibly intense ride that Visceral could’ve been content with it alone. The continuing nightmare of Isaac Clarke is only getting better and better; this sequel improves on much of its past shortcomings while frightening you around every corner. I suggest not missing out on what will probably be one of the very best games of this entire year.