Isaac Clarke used his courage and technical skill to survive the terror that awaited aboard the Ishimura. Similarly, the talented team at Motive are taking a bold and technically impressive approach to their remake of Clarke’s arduous quest aboard the dead spaceship in the sci-fi horror masterpiece. Dead Space Fiction. In addition to visual and performance improvements, Motive also incorporates subtly expanded gameplay elements to draw players deeper into the nightmare.
Even while thoroughly exploring the corridors of Ishimura in the original release, my recent hands-on with the remake – combining Chapters 1 through 3 as Isaac tries to reactivate the tram system and Repair the ship’s engine – full of unexpected discoveries. Reconfigured gameplay shocks, tough choices, new locations. Let’s dig inside.
New game features
Isaac is fully voiced: This time Isaac spoke up, such as shouting out his teammates’ names when they were in trouble or explaining his plan to repair the Ishimura Centrifuge and fuel lines. Hearing him take an active role in the team’s mission makes the whole experience feel more like the movie and more real.
Soak connected: There was no loading sequence when Isaac boarded the Ishimura train to quickly travel between destinations like Cargo and the Health area. This is all part of Motive’s goal for a vibrant, connected setting.
Freedom Zero G: In the original Dead Space, the zero gravity sections allowed Isaac to jump across platforms using special boots. In the remake, you have the freedom to hover 360 degrees, lending the image of humans walking in space. Isaac also now has a thrust booster, which is handy for dodging killers darting through space.
Intense new moments: In chapter 2, Isaac must get a higher security solution from the Dead Captain’s Rig. The Captain’s corpse is attacked by an Infector, causing him to turn into a ghost. In the 2008 series, players safely observe the change behind the glass. In the remake, Isaac undergoes this terrifying transformation up close and personal, returning to the dramatic real-time necrotic transformation at the beginning of Dead Space 2.
Circuit breakers: The new junction box requires Isaac to reroute power between the various Ishimura functions. In one situation, I needed to reroute power to a refueling station, and I had a choice between cutting off lights or delivering oxygen for this to happen. Situations like these allow players to choose their poison as needed – I chose to play in the dark rather than risk suffocation.
Big moments feel bigger: Vivid lighting and visual effects make dramatic moments more dramatic. Later in chapter 3, Isaac restarts Ishimura’s centrifuge. A combination of effects explode into action when the giant machine kicks in online – giant pieces of the machine rumble wildly, sparks fly as it grinds metal, giant swinging arms cast huge shadows orange auxiliary power light. It’s a feast for the senses and draws you deeper into the experience.
Explore recommended: Locked doors and storage bins have been added to Ishimura, which Isaac can access after obtaining an upgraded security clearance. This encourages players to return to previously destroyed areas to explore resources and upgrade materials. A locked door is even linked to a new side quest that reveals a little more about Isaac’s missing mate, Nicole.
Intensity director: But don’t let your guard down just because you’re back into known territory. The engine keeps players trying with Intensity Director, which will thrill with creepy noises like creaking vents, surprises like exploding pipes and sudden deadly attacks.
Expanded weapon upgrade paths: What’s the point of looking for bonus resources with no place to invest? New weapon upgrade items can be attached to the Plasma Cutter, Pulse Rifle, etc to add additional upgrade paths to spend nodes. It is to be determined whether this incorporates new weapon mechanics or simply additional improvements in damage, reload speed, ammo capacity, etc.
Familiar but enhanced
Enhanced image: A rich visual polish has been applied to the entire experience. Small details set the mood, including suspended dust particles, ominous fog hanging from the floor, dripping blood and shabby lighting.
Small details enhance the narrative: Isaac builds his Plasma Cutter from composite parts on his workbench rather than simply picking it up, signaling his engineering background. Similarly, when Isaac collects his Statis Module, he first picks up the severed limb to which it attaches, whose previous owner may have been disassembled by a malfunctioning door nearby. . These micro-narrative moments captivated me.
Gameplay tested: Combat packs the same satisfying familiarity, but with added smoothness. Clicking the Plasma Cutter to vertical and horizontal aiming modes while blasting necrotic limbs is snappy and quick.
Stagnation strategy: Isaac’s knack for handy slo-mo is still the draw with its crowd control. In one encounter, I used the stasis method to freeze an enemy near a dynamite box, then wait until another enemy approaches before firing it and blowing both monsters into pieces. Piece.
Upgrade your way: Bench remains a fun way to customize Isaac to suit your playstyle using the precious buttons hidden around Ishimura. This time, I invested in a suit upgrade to increase the effect area of my Statis Module to help coral more enemies at once. You can also upgrade the weapon’s damage, ammo ability, and reload speed.
UI in the Universe: Back in 2008, Dead Space’s projected user interface was ahead of its time, and it still feels futuristic today. Bringing Isaac’s projected menu up in real time helps maintain immersion and immediacy. Plus, menu text and icons look sharper and clearer in 4K.
Resource problem: I know 2008’s Dead Space very well and admit that I did feel a bit complacent during my playthrough. I sold some ammo early on for credit and to make space for the inventory. I paid the price later in chapter 2 when I ran out of ammo during a fierce scene in the morgue, with an Invader running rampant creating new morgues. The sequence forced me to make careful use of stacks and melee to stay alive. I ended up having success using stasis to slow the Infector’s spread and stop the threat before it got out of hand. My homage to ammo preservation has been recreated throughout the rest of the game.
Blood details: Each explosion of Isaac’s weapon tore through flesh, muscles, and eventually shattered bones. More than just a ghastly visual effect, the detailed damage provides feedback on how close the player was to cutting off a limb and taking down a corpse.
Your quest for survival on Ishimura begins when Dead Space launches on January 27, 2023 on PS5.
