Summary
Iconic space-horror franchiseDead Spaceis known as one of the best games of its kind, and there’s good reason for it; EA’s 2008 action survival horror title was ahead of its time in many ways, offering a complex and robust experience filled with unique features and thoughtful mechanics.EA Motive’s 2023Dead Spaceremakerevitalized the fervor surrounding the original, letting a whole new generation of players experience Isaac Clarke’s harrowing adventure.
Dead Spacemay not be on the same level as infamous franchises likeDark Soulswhen it comes to difficulty, but the challenge of the games is nothing to scoff at. Knowing how to maneuver the dark, unfeeling, monster-ridden halls of the franchise’s many spaceships and space stations can be the difference between life and death. Knowledge inDead Spacecomes down to more than just knowing the controls and basic mechanics, however; there’s a lot that the games don’t explicitly tell the player, and mastering these unwritten rules is crucial for success.
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As an influentialsurvival-horror game,Dead Spaceis, unsurprisingly, built around resource management, upgrades, and slow progression. There are a number of unique, powerful weapons at players' disposal but, following survival-horror conventions, ammo is a precious resource; players can’t usually just run and gun to their heart’s content. As such, it’s critical to always stay stocked up on ammunition and other supplies, never passing up the chance to refill Isaac’s stores.
This is where double-checking enemy corpses can be a lifesaver. Enemies will drop ammo, health packs, stasis refills, and other valuable resources, but stomping on the bodies will often yield additional materials hidden within the viscera. This method is rather gruesome, but it can be a game-changer, especially when dealing with the difficulty-tweakingIntensity Director in theDead Spaceremake.
On the subject of ammo scarcity, a great way to makeDead Spaceeasier is to lean into Isaac’s telekinetic powers. Unlike ammo or Stasis, telekinesis has unlimited use, allowing players to pick up and throw anything not nailed down. Not only can this approach to combat improve ammo efficiency, but it can lead to more effective fighting, as telekinesis can be used to throw explosive objects, pin down necromorphs with their own limbs, and more.
Of course, players will eventually have to use Isaac’s weapons, and there are ways to improve the effectiveness of most guns. Take the plasma cutter, for instance, whose status as the starter weapon doesn’t keep it from being useful againstDead Space’s most terrifying enemies. However, to maximize its power, players should use it to dismember necromorphs, not to damage their heads or bodies. Specifically, the plasma cutter should always be set to its horizontal setting and used to attack the legs of bipedal monsters, rather than the arms. This is the quickest way to take these menacing creatures out of the equation, as the legs are easier to hit, and removing them will force the necromorphs to crawl on the ground, where they can be finished off with an ammo-saving series of stomps.
Dead Spacemay be a linear game, but it’s not on rails; players do have some degree of freedom when it comes to how to approach combat and exploration.Dead Space’s setting is iconic, but its gameplay has been just as lauded, as players are encouraged to experiment with unique and satisfying systems. Various upgrades to weapons and Isaac himself further increase this sense of agency. Still, having a solid understanding ofDead Space’s best practices can be invaluable, regardless of play style.
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