Dead Spaceendures as a classic horror experience for a number of reasons. Not least of which isDead Space’s authentic science-fiction elementsaboard the USG Ishimura and the terrible necromorph enemies that spawn as reanimated corpses, with their gangly appendages and shape-shifting mutations.
On subsequent playthroughs, players may be much more aware of what terrors lurk behind which corners, and they will have much better knowledge and muscle memory when it comes to clues in the environment. Isaac Clarke’s cathartic stomp mechanic, as well as kinesis, can be used to satisfying effect to determine if any threats are dormant in the area. However, these environmental clues may not be apparent to players on a first playthrough, such as one player who reacts appropriately to a jump-scare they did not know how to look out for inDead Space.
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Redditor u/thegreatestlivingman’s four-second clip is a perfect example of why players should never think they are safe inDead Space. The player sees a necromorph’s body on the floor beneath a flickering light. Humorously, the nercromorph’s body is also inches away from a Save Station, and the player is at least wary as they aim at it withDead Space’s iconic plasma cutter. As the player comes closer, the necromorph springs into action with unnatural movements and startles them into a camera shake, a shot fired, and an instinctual escape to the pause menu.
SeasonedDead Spaceplayers will know to always eviscerate nearby corpses, even if they do not reanimate when attacked. This tactic is more prominent in the sequel, becauseDead Space 2’s kinesis impalementwith limb projectiles is much more powerful and offers a competent way to attack from safe distances most of the time. Still, it is in players' best interests to always consider corpses and relatively safe spaces as perilous, and thegreatestlivingman’s jump-scare experience demonstrates why.
Redditor u/Gamegod12 states that dormant and seemingly dead necromorphs “have a very specific animation and pose while lying on the floor” that players will eventually recognize once they have played enough of the game. Further, Redditor u/thegermankaiserreich hilariously states the first and foremost rule ofDead Space: “If it’s dead, it’s alive.” These are tips that will help to keep players' guards up whileDead Space’s horrific tension never ceases.
EA Motive’s modernDead Spaceremakelooks remarkably respectful of its inspirational title. New features such as an ALIVE System that adapts to Isaac’s behavioral limbic responses seem to only accentuate the visceral experiences that players receive, and it will be interesting to see how it stacks up when compared to the original.
Dead Spaceis available for PC, PS3, and Xbox 360.
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