‘A classic:’ Dead Space review

Michael Clark Staff Reporter

Let’s face it: there are too many video game remakes.

Looking ahead at the next few years of video games, a good bit of that catalogue consists of ports and remasters of older games. Not all of us are excited to play “Skyrim” again with a slightly higher resolution. It’s safe to say the market is getting incredibly oversaturated.

“Dead Space” is about surviving on a desolate ship as it slowly gets overtaken by terrifying creatures called Necromorphs. The series died in 2013, but the trilogy of games lives on as a cult classic among gamers. Being able to replay this gem has reminded me as to why its so iconic.

Despite this, Electronic Arts’ remake of “Dead Space” could be used as a blueprint on how to pull off the perfect video game remake. It maintains the essence of the survival horror classic while cutting the fat and improving upon all the shortcomings of the original.

Where “Dead Space” truly shines is in its atmosphere. Outside of the survival horror GOAT “Silent Hill,” this may be the most atmospheric horror game I’ve ever played. The game takes perfect advantage of tight, claustrophobic spaces to have you on the edge of your seat as you creep down some dirty, old hallway. However, it also utilizes open spaces that have you watching your back and shuttering over every bump in the night.

The gameplay is pretty standard survival horror and it has a blend of interesting weapons, terrifying creatures and entertaining concepts to keep the tried and true formula as fresh as can be. It’s as violent as your worst nightmare and relentless as can be.

I could nitpick it all day, but my only real critique is how repetitive the mission formula can get. While the story is interesting, the gameplay loop consists of retrieving items from one location, bringing them to another location, using the item and then turn- ing on power grids. While this sounds repetitive, you’ll probably be too busy screaming at your TV to really notice. This game is terrifying. There’s tension in every frame, every room in the game is dripping with atmosphere and every jumpscare lands beautifully.

“Dead Space” is easily the best video game remake since “Resident Evil 2.” It’s as terrifying, addictive, immersive and fresh as it was in 2008. All I could really ask for is another game in the franchise, as this blend of horror and action practically begs to be utilized on a next generation console. Dead Space is available on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation 5.