Highly anticipated for the past few months, Dead Space 3 has arrived. The third installment to this nasty, horror-based franchise shows itself as being something completely different. Dead Space’s franchise changed the way we looked at Zombie based games back in 2008 when shooting off the enemy’s head didn’t exactly equal dead. This time around, Dead space went into a new direction with its guns, Co-Op, and of course there are all new Necromorphs for any gamer’s bowel-dropping-horror pleasure. There is a bountiful load of new content onto this installment. It adds perfectly what all Dead Space fans have been waiting for.
Once again, Isaac is back in action saving the galaxy from the Necromorph threat and the battle against the Markers. This time he’s not entirely alone. You’re given the chance to have a little help from a friend this time around. Isaac’s partner in Necromorph stomping and bashing is John Carver. Together, or with a trusty friend as Carver’s controller, Isaac and John are battling the Necromorphs and other threats in the icy depths of the newest planet, Tau Volantis.
What’s New:
• Automatic Weapons
• Weapons Bench
• Co-Op
• Necromorphs and the Planet
Automatic Weapons
If you’re no stranger to Dead Space, then you should very well know that it’s not in the game’s interest to give you a rapid-fire weapon. You’re almost always happy to never have one. When playing this game its common knowledge that the limbs are your target, not the head. Aiming for the head doesn’t always kill your alien friends. With automatic weapons being involved into the game, you’d believe to stick with the ones you know are reliable to killing your enemies. Don’t turn these guns down so quickly. They’re extremely useful in a sticky situation and, if aimed right, can mow down Necromorphs in no time. All it takes is steady aim and a watchful eye over your ammo.
Weapons Bench
This is probably their biggest feature addition to date. As it was previously used, a Weapon Bench had been used to upgrade your guns, suit, or overall stats. What this new addition has given you is the choice of what sort of gun you’ll have on you. That’s correct. The Weapons Bench now gives you the option to make your own guns. Want a gun that shoots buzz-saws with a flamethrower attachment? Go make it. Want a laser-cutter that fires out shotgun blasts? You can have that flavor too. Several blueprints and all over Youtube, people are sharing what they've come up with for their Isaac. It's incredible what people have thought to put together. All that gamers are limited to are their personal creativity.
Co-Op
This feature has also been a great way for friends to understand why yelling and screaming in a game like this is not the proper way to act. The Co-Op doesn’t take away from the experience in anyway. It had been a rumor that this feature would have destroyed the horror gameplay we had all been used to playing. This is not true. When playing on Co-Op, it was found to be just as a pleasing as it had been to run through on first person. Plus, what gamer would complain about a partner when you’re low on ammo, health, and kinesis juice when a ferocious wave of Necromorphs closing in on you? Not to mention the newest partner in the game, John Carver, is going insane due to the Marker causing havoc on his mind. Sure, yes, you have a partner who can help in sticky situations – when he’s not busy fighting what’s inside of his head. Then you best hope that your ammo is plentiful.
Necromorphs and the Planet
With the introduction of a brand new planet, there were bound to be new baddies welcoming you to the frozen wasteland. Having heard of the planet most grew skeptical of what they'd be experiencing. Tau Volantis, the latest battlefield, is a heavily lit, snow white planet where Isaac is sent to destroy the mother of Markers. Having seen a few pieces of gameplay, some didn’t know how well they’d be able to pull off the winter cold. These individuals were severely wrong in doubting the developer’s choice of environment. While it is heavily lit compared to the previous two games, most should have known that the light wasn't to give them an advantage. When you’re in the middle of a blizzard, anything around you could dive at Isaac. You’d never see it until it’s gnawing on the back of your ankle. Even in the light, you’re never safe.
The game overall was quite fantastic. Although, as all beloved games there are certain faults you never want to notice. It’s like having your friend being the best in the world, yet there are still those little things you notice about them. You don’t want to tell them about it because they’re your friend, but it’s in the back of your head and you can’t help but notice them.
Some Negatives:
• Story
• Fit Pieces
Story
Story is a big thing for me. If you cannot hook me with the story, gameplay in a game had better be fantastic for me to ignore this factor. While Dead Space’s story was sub-par. Playing this game, you'd feel that the way it was told was too big. It feels as if the fact that this massive secret on the planet had been too unbelievable. If something this incredible had been discovered, and barely anyone in the galaxy knew about this, for such a gap of time it seems rather doubtful. If it’s being taken care of 200 years later, that’s extremely odd to me.
Fit Pieces
This sort of pieces into the story section as well, but this needed its own little area. By the ending, you’d feel as if the main plot pieces fall together. As if everything that you needed to know is suddenly discovered and presented to you on a silver platter. The entire ideas in the end feel as if they’re attempting to make you believe what they just wrote. While the plot ideas weren't too terribly big, it felt overly pushed into the face for their audience. There was a lot more they could have given to make it believable.
While the positives overlap the negatives extremely well, there are little bumps that make it not the smoothest of rides. While the road is a bit sloppy, you’re going to enjoy the thrill ride nonetheless. Adrenaline-pumping action with a friend is always the best way to go. The features in the game give both parties the advantage to have their own playing style, and still back the other up as much as possible.
Dead Space 3 receives a 4/5 stars. While the story seems to fall from time to time, the gameplay makes up for it extremely well.
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