

But a second pass on the original material and a clear desire to expand on it works wonders whether it be through new performances for each character or moment-to-moment dialogue that no longer paints Clarke as an obedient errand boy responsible for doing absolutely everything no matter how suicidal. Of course, the writing is still a fairly unimaginative riff on Aliens and Event Horizon, filled with super evil hyper-corporations and fanatical religions responsible for this outbreak, as we struggle to survive and find a way home. All of these people are characters now, not merely blank slates to be murdered when things get all spooky. Kendra Daniels, a spiteful woman in the original with a clear desire to betray you, is softer spoken and more empathetic here, talking about how she loves to dote on her girlfriend between shifts when a rare moment of silence emerges. You can peer across the humble innards of your initial vessel, talking about how, after this routine mission, you can catch up with your partner and chase more rewarding jobs across entirely different systems.

New enemies, audio logs, and nuanced twists turn this survival horror classic into something surprisingly new, yet safely familiar.įrom the opening moments, there is a deeper expression of agency than in the original. I never felt safe gingerly walking through darkened corridors I’d seen dozens of times previously, knowing that just enough had been changed to unsettle. Even when our sulky-faced hero responds to fellow characters or takes initiative aboard the Ishimura, a permanent sense of fragility remains. Giving Isaac Clarke a voice never takes away from the claustrophobic terror that makes Dead Space so legendary. Related: The Last Of Us TV Show Changed Tess For The Worse

I know exactly how to survive aboard this doomed mining craft, but its absence brings with it welcome changes. Level design is identical, while enemies can be torn apart in ways that feel morbidly nostalgic for returning players like me. This new release carefully retreads the original, but still looks and plays brilliantly. This medium has spoiled us with the likes of FF7 Remake, reimaginings that are more reboots than revivals, uprooting our memories and having the bravery to cast them in a very different light.
