9.5 / 10. Issaaaac………A rip roaring, laser cutting alien horror survival game remake

Dead Space is a 2023 survival horror video game, developed by Motive Studio and published by Electronic Arts. A remake of the terrifying classic, first released in 2008 on PS3.

In the 26th century, unfortunate engineer Isaac Clarke and the USG Kellion crew embark on a rescue mission aboard floating tomb USG Ishimura, a planetary mining vessel, to stop a devastating alien infestation and rescue Isaac’s scientist wife, Nicole. All is not as it seems…

Dead space is a scary, exhilarating and constantly tense experience, with a completion time of approximately 22 hours. The sporadic clanking sounds of the ship’s interior, like an old house creaking in the night, keep you on your toes. I recommend a headset to appreciate the immersive sounds, and to highlight the great voice acting (Gunner Wright as Isaac, Tanya Clark as Nicole). What’s that tap-tapping at the vents?

Within the main storyline are side missions which add to the interesting Lovecraftian story arc. The pace is relentless, and the game combines gameplay action and cut scenes at a relentless pace, as you go with Isaac into hell in space.

The remake keeps everything that worked in the original, a dark, interesting storyline with smooth gameplay, adding richer graphics and sounds which only add to the experience. Eventual upgrades allow you access to certain areas to collect satisying hidden goodies. You experience varying necromorph enemies and learn via trial and error which weapons work best. Blasting necromorphs with a sonic boom as they scream and flail across the dark corridors or chopping off limbs never gets boring – the line gun was a favourite. ALWAYS GO FOR THE LIMBS.

There’s an excellent range of weapons and upgrades, bought with credits and nodes at regularly spaced stores and benches, with satisfying upgrade and collection sound effects. I only managed to fully upgrade a few weapons, such as the line gun and plasma cutter, which I found most effective. The flame thrower wasn’t great. I don’t know how it’s possible to get enough nodes to upgrade all weapons, maybe you can’t…

Most annoying boss fight – Leviathan stuck on the outside of the Ishimura, throwing exploding balls at you. Without doubt.