Review: DEAD SPACE 3
Dead Space 3 is a third-person shooter developed by Visceral Games, and published by Electronic Arts. It is the third in the series, and a sequel to Dead Space 2. The Dead Space games are known for their horror element and it is fair to say that Dead Space 3 lives up to that. However, I actually found the game to be more action focused than horror, compared to previous titles. Also the addition of co-op play, a first for the series, brings in new elements of gameplay tactics you can explore with a friend. This time, the plot is based on the main character of the series, Isaac Clark, as he attempts to find his ex-girlfriend Ellie, and you instantly meet your co-op partner John Carver.
You find yourself in new environments, such as cities facing an uprising, space itself, and the ice planet of Tau Volantis as you fight off various enemies, including the iconic necromorphs from the game series. However, the story is kind of jumbled, and gives no reason to care about Isaac since he is more level minded, compared to his mental state in the previous games. Gameplay for Dead Space 3 is what we come to love. Decapitating enemies using various weapons, using plasma blasts, kinesis, and stasis shots make this shooter unique. Utilizing different tactics to face off against varying enemies lets you fit the situation you are in. You will not find this type of gameplay anywhere else, which is what makes the game so satisfying. You will find yourself upgrading your gear to fit your current situation, and modding your weapons to make them better. However, not everything is perfect.
You will find yourself doing a lot of back tracking for certain items, and mediocre errand missions in order to progress in this story. Graphics are on par with the setting. This is clearly evident on the planet of Tau Volantis, the ice, and snow with the mixture of light give off a very beautiful vista for you to explore. Not to mention the space parts of the game are virtually perfect. The suspenseful music will get to you as navigating corridors, and hearing Necromorphs screech in silent areas will eventually get to you, giving you that horror sensation that Dead Space is known for. However to true fans of the series, despite the minor shortcomings and the jumbled plot, you’ll find yourself playing this over and over again in order to collect items, and customize the best armor you can for Isaac. And with the addition of co-op, that will affect the game’s difficulty, as enemies get smarter and become more challenging, having an ally in certain parts of the game is a welcomed addition.
Dead Space 3 gets a 4 out of 5.
