Remakes can be a somewhat touchy subject these days. Many will be welcomed with open arms, while others may have their very existence questioned. Dead Space fans must have been overjoyed to see them leaping for joy when they announced that the survival-horror classic was returning to PS5. Fast forward roughly 18 months and EA Motive is ready to release what has been pitched as a faithful retelling of his Isaac Clarke nightmare aboard USG Ishimura: The Last Match Is It True Prove that.
Dead Space in 2023 is pretty much the same as it was 15 years ago. Marker’s story remains intact, all classic weapons are back, some better than ever, and the haunting atmosphere that made spaceships one of the game’s most memorable settings is nowhere to be found. No. The developers have chosen to stay incredibly true to the source text, extending what already exists rather than removing something.
As you explore the ship’s dark, bloody corridors, you’ll begin to notice new mechanics here and there, such as side quests and a brief security clearance system that introduces some light Metroidvania elements. Incorporating the ability to return to the previous area using the tram system instead of the , gives you a lot more freedom to explore USG Ishimura.
This makes it much less likely that these optional missions will be restricted to general proximity. It offers more freedom than Markers.By providing fans of the original game with new content and context, as well as a chance to snag sweet loot, these spontaneous assignments are rewarding. I have.
Other obvious changes that aficionados will notice include the free movement in Zero-G ported over to the original Dead Space 2 and Dead Space 3 titles. It has since been replaced with an all-new set piece. Let’s appreciate the fact that keeping his shield above 50% doesn’t have to make his blood boil to earn the trophy.
Changes aren’t always for the better, but what EA Motive has done with Dead Space feels additive rather than reductive. Virtually everything you remember from the survival-horror classic remains intact, only enhanced with new content and other controls. If you want to run your campaign with only your trusty plasma cutter by your side, you can. Even if you want to get into Zero-G basketball for a little while, you can. This is arguably the best version of the game ever.
What’s especially pleasing is that the graphics upgrade from PS3 to PS5 didn’t take away from the chilling tension of Dead Space. Knows when to throw necromorphs. I know when it makes me think enemies are crawling through the vents, but nothing appears. It still gradually starts playing with your mind, incorporating hallucinations and speeches without any apparent source.
The biggest difference between the PS3 and PS5 versions is of course the visuals. Dead Space looks far ahead of what EA has achieved with his third home console for Sony, but it’s far from impressive by today’s standards. Hmm. In fact, where the remake disappoints the most is the graphics. Compared to The Last of Us: Part I — another PS3 to PS5 remake — Dead Space looks very average. It could probably pass as a late-gen PS4 title, and that’s even in 30fps quality mode. It’s amazing.
While wandering USG Ishimura and going about our business, we were seldom overwhelmed by the impressive sights and detailed views. Recognize locations from your PS3 playthrough and reminisce through nostalgia-tinted glasses. However, it’s not visually stunning enough to justify Dead Space as a current-gen-only game. It is a pity.
Worse, quality mode doesn’t offer a locked 30 fps. Framerate drops are very common (especially when there are multiple enemies on screen). So it can be a little difficult to follow the action. Performance mode offers 60 fps at the cost of significantly lower graphics. It’s an upsetting situation, because as a remake, we want our memorable game to shine in the highest resolution possible, and no matter what mode you choose in Dead Space, there’s always something to make up for.
It’s a let down, because the game itself is still great. Environments are pretty small by today’s standards, but the general gameplay loop he still holds up 15 years later. Search lockers for ammo and resources, find the right weapon to defeat each Necromorph, and learn what happened with USG Ishimura from his audio and text logs. A disappointing look when compared to more recent titles, but still a thoroughly enjoyable and intense game. Longtime fans will love revisiting the series’ origins, and newcomers can experience a great take on the survival horror genre for the first time.
The remake actually helps the original game better deliver on the one-shot camera approach. The title doesn’t have a single loading screen (except for death). All aspects of the HUD are built into Isaac’s suit, so there’s no camera cuts or stranded action to load assets, so it’s really immersive. An updated tram system allows you to actually travel long distances inside the brown shell if you need to venture from one end of the ship to the other. If anything, it’s a better feature than God of War Ragnarok.
If only the PS5 DualSense controller support was good everywhere.. Despite the different firing options, the L2 and R2 buttons feel almost unchanged.
Haptic feedback makes the sequence more immersive when you’re outside USG Ishimura, as Isaac’s pounding heartbeat dominates the soundscape, but those sections are few and far between. I was thrilled to feel the weight of Isaac’s big treads through. What a disappointment.
Conclusion
Dead Space has been reproduced as faithfully as possible. While keeping the great base experience intact, EA Motive has expanded it with new content, expansion areas, and more mechanics to fulfill the vision that the original he creator of the game had 15 years ago. . Compared to more contemporary titles (and other remakes of similar time), Dead Space is a disappointment with visuals that fail to justify being a current-gen only release. That said, it’s still a great game to play in 2023, and the new quests and mechanics provide enough reason to return to the survival-horror classics.
