One of my all-time favorite games, Dead Space is a masterpiece of horror/sci-fi homages that creates something 100% unique and enthralling. Dead Space is a great blend of game-play and storytelling elements, improving on the "over the shoulder" slow-paced shooter elements introduced in previous survival horror games like Resident Evil 4. Isaac isn't a soldier, but as an engineer he is protected by a hazardous environment suit and wields a blistering array of both engineering and mining tools re-purposed to destroy the game's enemy "Necromorphs." Instead of simply blasting enemies, the tactic in Dead Space is dismemberment: plasma cutters and tractor-beam buzz saws are ideal instruments to saw off limbs, and fighting the Necromorphs--who attack with their own array of organic blades, claws and teeth--requires Isaac to remove arms to avoid attacks and take out legs to cripple necromorphs for killing shots. As he goes, Isaac can earn both cash, scavenge and "power nodes" that allow him to purchase new equipment, ammo, medpacks, and improve his existing weaponry to carry more ammo, deal more damage, and reload quicker. What really sets Dead Space apart from its survival-horror rivals however, is its atmosphere and attention to detail. From the Ishimura's "lived in" feel to the ominous Unitologist faith that has exploded to prominence in human society, Dead Space doesn't just feel like "the future," where space ships and lasers are mandatory. Everything feels like it has a place in this universe, and that makes the Ishimura all the more dreadful to explore, because you get the sense that people lived here, and now they're all dead. Killed by something that is turning its attention on you... But hey, there's always Peng.
