Xbox 360 Game Review: Dead Space 2

Scream if you're having fun


Xbox 360 Game Review: Dead Space 2

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

by Nizam Ali

05:55 AM Mar 04, 2011

When Dead Space was released in 2008, I abandoned the game within an hour because its sci-fi horror thriller setup was too scary for me to handle. I mustered the courage to pick it up again and finish it only days before the sequel was released, and I'm glad I made the effort. While you can watch a summary of events past in Dead Space 2 (DS2) to refresh your memory, experiencing Isaac's complete journey in the prequel first-hand provides a better appreciation of the events and references that follow.

DS2 comes with various tweaks ranging from new weapons, upgrades to familiar old weapons, suit enhancements, a better user interface and waypoint navigation, and new powers disguised as technological advancements three years on from the last edition.

Isaac is still a mortal engineer with infected memories. It's easy to feel connected with his vulnerability, especially when you explore the game's dark corners and corridors. Where Isaac was silent and masked before, his face and voice are now unveiled, adding depth and interaction to the plot. Gameplay is still a tense, unique mix of dismemberment and conserving ammunition.

The Necromorphs, as the enemies are known, have also evolved, ensuring that seasoned players will not be too comfortable approaching the terror that awaits. Each of these creatures has a distinct scream, guaranteed to echo eerily around the walls of your room. A big screen and a decent speaker setup are recommended to maximise your terror/pleasure.

A lot is squeezed into the 15-chapter campaign, which took me 12 hours to complete. Once through, you can choose to replay the whole game with unlocked arsenal and suits. Masochists can attempt the steep challenges in the heightened difficulty modes to eventually earn access to a hilarious weapon, while compulsive players may find satisfaction in obtaining all possible collectibles.

Expect a high occurrence of failures in the later chapters as a result of enemy approaches from your blind spot, forcing a change in your strategy. This will happen more often if you have the wrong upgrades and tools or poorly manage your inventory. At such times, I screamed louder than the Necromorphs, out of frustration. Thankfully, you can return to the workbench to reassign the upgrades at a cost. I recommend boosting the Stasis ability.

DS2 also offers a multiplayer mode in a form of team-based objective games between two groups of four, each taking turns to play as humans or as necromorphs. These take place over five maps that are inspired from but not fully lifted from the campaign. Fans of Left 4 Dead will find a couple of similarities, other than the third-person view and the persistent level upgrades. While they are fun, I thought a cooperative nature for two that follows the journey of the campaign would be more rewarding.

Nevertheless, I'm glad I overcame my inner demons to experience this two-DVD disc package. Nizam Ali



VERDICT

Dead Space 2 has raised the bar and further cemented the franchise's place in the genre. I'm already looking forward to the next edition.

Soure: www.todayonline.com