We just received our review copy of Dead Space from EA, and couldn't wait to get our hands dirty!
The problem? It was already getting dark outside! We've been covering Dead Space for quite a while, and even after all or our research, screenshots, videos, and even an exclusive Dead Space interview with Chuck Beaver, the senior producer of Dead Space, we weren't prepared for what awaited us in that little green case.
So far we're in love with this game! It looks amazing, sounds amazing, and plays great. The "strategic dismemberment" took a minute or two to get familiar with ... We totally forgot about it in our first "encounter" with the crew of the ship.
This does bring us to our one issue in the game so far ... Once you start getting the hang of dispatching one "form" of the alien crew, they drop a new one on you! At first it's easy: "Hey, I'll just blow the legs off this guy, and then his arms!", but then they drop one on you that has no legs, and scare the crap out of you! Some people might consider this a bonus, and great game design ... our undergarments wholeheartedly disagree!
We did have an issue after we recovered our first power node and bench, which you need to upgrade your suit, weapons, etc ... We upgraded our plasma cutter damage, and then mistakenly sold it when we found the first shop (we REALY wanted the pulse rifle). What we discovered is that you can "buy" the plasma cutter for 0 credits! We then bought the weapon back, but found that it didn't have the upgrade we had invested in it. BE VERY CAREFUL WITH YOUR NODE UPGRADES!
We've experienced some of the zero gravity areas/puzzles, and let's just say that they are QUITE the experience. It's not just the game play that's different, but even the sound and mood. Muffling and muting the sound threw us WAY off at first ... It took one of the alien crew members walking right up to us and attacking before we realized they were there!
So far the game is way more than we had expected. They've put a ton of effort into how the different sequences and encounters play out, and it definitely shows. Their goal was to make Dead Space a cross between horror movies and games, and to make it an "experience", and so far they've hit the nail on the head.
Stay tuned for our full review, as soon as we've finished the game.
Oh and here's some food for thought for anyone running out to buy Dead Space
: If the lights go out or dim, get ready to shoot something, and don't forget an extra pair of under garments!