NanoGeekTech Dead Space Review (360)

Developer: EA Redwood Shores
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Designer: Glen Schofield (Exec Producer/Creator)
Bret Robbins
Composer: Jason Graves
Engine Godfather game engine
Platform: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows

Release date: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
NA October 14, 2008
EU October 14, 2008
Microsoft Windows
NA October 20, 2008
EU October 24, 2008

Genre:Survival horror
Third-person shooter
Mode: Single-player
Rating: ESRB: M
MDA: Mature 18
PEGI: 18+
OFLC: MA 15+
BBFC: 18
USK: 18

Media Blu-ray Disc, DVD
System requirements Windows XP SP2 or Vista
Intel Pentium 4 2.8GHz or equivalent
1GB RAM for XP, 2GB for Vista
7GB hard drive space
256MB video card w/ SM 3.0 (nVidia GeForce 6800/ ATI Radeon X1600 Pro)
DirectX 9.0c sound card
Keyboard
Mouse

Survival Horror is back.... hell yes, its been a long time coming. The last time I played a great survival horror game has been Resident Evil 4 for Gamecube. So its been a long damn time people and plus the next Resident Evil would not arrive states side till March 13th 2009( Friday the 13th baby). So like a crackhead who has been denied his favorite party favors, I was extremely filled with joy and the jitters when I finally got my hands on Dead Space(360). And like a crackhead I do not think I can wait till next year for my next fix of flight and fright, damn you Capcom at least release the damn demo states side please.



Dead Space is a great departure from EA, who has finally decide to populate the console world with new solid IPs(Mirrors Edge). I would like to thank EA for introducing a new IP that from the looks of it would be around for a very long time.



Dead Space revolves around our hero Isaac Clarke a normal guy who happens to be a space engineer that works for the Conordance Extraction Corporation(C.E.C). The game starts with Isaac Clarke in route to answer a distress called form the USG Ishimura. The USG Ishmiura is a Planet Cracker ship that is deployed to guess what? Crack open planets and deplete their resources. When Isaac and his crew crash lands on the Ishmiura all hell breaks loose and really it does.



Your main foes in Dead Space would be the relentless Necromorphs. These nasty disfigured fast moving genetic abomination will try to kill you by travelling through the many vents littered around the Ishimura. The only way to mow down the ultra violent "Necromorphs" is to literally cut them down at their limbs to slow them down. Dead Space game play mechanic is very good because it creates a lot of tension during extreme encounter with the Necromorphs. For example you may have to cut off their legs to slow them down, but even with no legs they will still crawl after you with a vengeance. At that point you have to go for the head. They are moments when you are attacked form all sides and this is where things gets a little insane. Luckily you are given the ability to slow down your enemies as they rush towards you. At this point you can pick and choose which body parts you would love to hack off one by one. Dismembering your foes is a total blast and for me it never gets old. You will be able to dismember your foes with an array of custom space tools, there are no AK47, no shotgun, or any photon particle beams. Your tools consist of the 211-V Plasma Cutter, SWS Motorized Pulse Rifle(uses electric coils to accelerate rounds) , RC-DS Remote Control Disc Ripper, PFM-100 Hydrogen Torch Flamethrower, IM-822 Handheld Ore Cutter Line Gun and C99 Supercollider Contact Beam



Dead Space does tension very well, sometimes too well. Its been a very long time since I played a game in the dark that made me tense and at the same time give me quick jolts of anxiety. EA Redwood Shores did a fantastic job in creating a dark, lonely, eerie atmosphere. The Godfather engine is a very capable graphic engine. I was very surprised by the amazing amount of lighting the engine was able to generate. The lighting was stunning which helped with the overall immersion factor. The graphics for Dead Space was dead on(pun intended) it is a georgous game, it can be consider one of the best looking games this year. When you enter a room that is void of gravity and you see the palates of blood floating around you know you have officially entered next generation gaming.



Dead Space audio was also top-notch and believe it or not the Sound track was release on iTunes on November 11th 2008. What makes a survival horror game better is the use of ambient sound, and Dead Space does an excellent job delivering a great 5.1 Dolby digital euphoria for your ears.



My only complaints about Dead Space are the boss fights, they are really a little too easy. The biggest challenge when facing a boss is trying to figure out what to do, once that is solved they become a cake walk. My second displeasure would be the ending. I am sorry I do not know what happen to good endings anymore what the fuck! You play a game that's overall a damn good experience to be treated to mediocrity at the end.

Graphic:A
Sound:A
Replay Value:B
Control:A
Fun Factor: A
NanoGeekTech Overall Score: A

Should you buy Dead Space or rent it: I had a helluva good time with Dead Space. Once I beat the game, I was ready to play again with all my weapons upgraded and my Level 5 suit. You can get your monies worth from a rental that's what I did. EA has premium DLC for Dead Space I do not believe its worth it or adds to replay value, its a great way to nickel and dime you to death. Dead Space would be a worthy game to add your Microsoft Xbox360 or Sony PS3 game library.

Things that Bored me with Dead Space: Nothing really I was not bored in anyway when playing Dead Space. Dead Space was a game I wanted to come home and play especially in the dark with my 6.1 Dolby Digital blasting. I would go through Dead Space again if I had a chance but for PS3 the second time around.