Bluepixie
27th January 2009, 14:09
Dead Space - PC, X360, PS3 - EA Redwood Shores, 2008
http://pausegaming.com/niall/reviewpics/deadspace/DS_cover.jpg
Now I’m going to show one of the most effective money printing horror franchises of all. This one is called:
“In Space No One Can Hear You Scream, WAIT! I’ve seen this before!”
otherwise know as Dead Space. Now for this recipe you’ll need:
Dead Space Pie
Ingredients:
Gaming Mixture
Resident Evil 4 – 200g plain (base of pastry)
Doom 3 – 60g to add repetitive dark environments
System Shock 2 – 45g for richness in plot and character via audio logs
2001: A Space Odyssey – Pinch for seasoning
Event Horizon to bind it together
Game Structure Mixture
500g of solid Aliens style action
1 large section of Solaris to fill in the holes left by Event Horizon
1 stock cube of Sunshine for dramatic space opera visuals
Granules of Evil Dead for gross out gore
Blade Runner technology to aid seasoning
28 Days Later violence
1 tsp of The Thing for bizarre monsters
Method
Trim any gristle off the Aliens and dice into bit sized chunks. Don’t fry, keep it nice and rare, bloodier the better, then place in an EA development studio covered in controlling project managers, then add Sunshine, Solaris, 28 Days Later violence, Blade Runner and The Thing. Leave to seep and get some famous comic and animation artists involved.
Cook at 160 degrees c for about 1 year then stir in a tbsp of Evil Dead until it thickens then allow to cool for few months or until just warm.
Meanwhile, mince the Doom 3 (it’s hard to mix) and System Shock 2 (get rid of the best bits) and rub into RE4 and the 2001 with your fingertips until it resembles a playable game. Rub the Event Horizon in then add enough other horror ideas to bind the mixture. Cut in half and roll out on an office surface (to make the game at least 12hrs rather than 6) then place in a greased console, trimming the excess story and puzzles to keep things simple.
Add gaming mixture then use the other half of the gaming structure to make a lid. Brush with Event Horizon then put in an oven pre heated to 190 degrees c.
Bake for 1 month or until the game is fluid and original elements are less recognisable.
Leave to cool for 2 weeks before serving with an animated film and comic series.
Fini
Ok, despite the numerous elements borrowed for this title, after having had Dead Space on my plate I must say it has much to offer in terms of gameplay and for the better half of the game spades of atmosphere. The more original flavours of the game including the super smooth controls, sleekly integrated holographic projection HUD and the majority of the creature design will tickle the taste buds for hours. The sound and music are exceptionally well done, everything sounds solid and fits in with the gameworld. Issac’s boots stomping on the bulkheads, the dull whine of air filtration units and the organic squishing of bone on flesh as you tear or are torn apart by the Necromorphs. To experience the eerie decks of the Ishimura I highly recommend good headphones or a surround setup if you can, this game sounds fantastic and the team responsible deserve fudge, if not crumb fudge. Mmmmmm.
The opening is stunning.
http://pausegaming.com/niall/reviewpics/deadspace/DS_open.jpg
You’d be licking the plate clean if it were not for some of the more repetitive flavours coming through and spoiling the overall experience. While combat is generally fast, gory and satisfying throughout, the puzzles and story are weaker in comparison. Puzzles are generally completed through use of the Statis (slow-mo) and Telekinesis (gravity-gun) tools and are very straight forward. There are some better sequences later in the game that require precise positioning, speed and timing but these are not mentally taxing and are far and few between. Most of the more interesting sections occur in zero-g (which can be said of most of the game) as the area suddenly becomes vastly larger and more difficult to navigate. The zero-g areas are very eerie with dust particles clumping and floating around, the muffled sound of weapons firing and Isaac’s heavy breathing as the air runs out all making this portion of the pie exceptionally tasty. There are brilliant sections were bulkheads are broken and you’re confronted with endless space, spooky light from the systems sun pouring in and an odd sense of vertigo.
Oooh, there goes my breakfast. Man I hate spacesuits
http://pausegaming.com/niall/reviewpics/deadspace/DS_epic.jpg
Combat in these zero-g sections is fantastic, with enemies being able to sneak up on from any direction before you dance with them from surface to surface slicing limbs as you go, watching the body parts float off with blood trailing after them. It’s beautiful to be honest.
Combat is fast, unsettling, furious and bloody./
http://pausegaming.com/niall/reviewpics/deadspace/DS_combat.jpg
The story however is the bit that I had the most difficultly chewing. While the narrative is nicely laid out out via real time in-engine sequences between characters both in the flesh and through holographic videos, it just doesn’t bite the way it wants to. Sure, I’ll give it a big thumbs up for the opening, definitely one to be remembered and the tension continues for hours, but it just doesn’t know how to keep it up. It repeats its scares too often leading you to expect specific patterns and rarely diverging from these.
Oh here is goes, here goes, here goes again.
http://pausegaming.com/niall/reviewpics/deadspace/DS_scary.jpg
Wooden acting from your allies and enemies alike and constant errands taking you round the ship (multiple times) also wear thin. There is no interaction to be had with the other characters even when you are face to face with them and Isaac is mute throughout. The only aspect of the story that works is the System Shock style audio and text logs filling you in on the background and giving some insight to the situation and people involved. These are well written and voice acted, serving up the better side of the richness in Dead Space. It’s a real shame because the game so desperately wants to hit you emotionally as hard as Silent Hill 2 did and scare the living day lights out of you in the way System Shock 2 did. I think this is mostly down to the lack of connection to your mute hero, and hence your involvement in the game.
Creepy? Yeah, but imagine it was 1st person?
http://pausegaming.com/niall/reviewpics/deadspace/DS_creepy.jpg
1st person titles such as Half-Life 2 work by having a mute character because you are the character. You know what they’re saying in response to characters and events because it’s in your head, you are the hero. However, in Dead Space, it’s all about Isaac and he might as well be a floating pile of dog meat in a suit for all you care. He is subjected to some truly horrific events throughout the duration of the game which don’t phase him in the slightest, and it’s not until the very end that he does, but by then it’s too late. You just don’t care.
RUN MAN! JESUS CHRIST JUST RUN! OMG!
http://pausegaming.com/niall/reviewpics/deadspace/DS_awesome.jpg
Dead Space as a main course, will satisfy a hungry person looking for survival horror with a deep space twist. It is a well produced, artistically prominent, polished title and does its major ingredients proud, well the movie parts anyway. To expect a cog studio under the watchful gaze of the meat grinder that is EA to actually produce anything truly original is pure lunacy. However, this beautifully conceived and expertly constructed homage to deep space horror is a marvel despite its weaknesses. If you liked the look of the recipe for this money making stint and don’t have too many qualms about encouraging the corporate giant then get out there, and do some screaming. Just remember, some people like to sleep so keep the noise down ok?
Oh, and don't forget about the comic, animated movie and official Necromorph soft toy! It's so cute!
http://pausegaming.com/niall/reviewpics/deadspace/DS_comic.jpg
8/10
- Niall Macdonald 27/01/09
http://pausegaming.com/niall/reviewpics/deadspace/DS_cover.jpg
Now I’m going to show one of the most effective money printing horror franchises of all. This one is called:
“In Space No One Can Hear You Scream, WAIT! I’ve seen this before!”
otherwise know as Dead Space. Now for this recipe you’ll need:
Dead Space Pie
Ingredients:
Gaming Mixture
Resident Evil 4 – 200g plain (base of pastry)
Doom 3 – 60g to add repetitive dark environments
System Shock 2 – 45g for richness in plot and character via audio logs
2001: A Space Odyssey – Pinch for seasoning
Event Horizon to bind it together
Game Structure Mixture
500g of solid Aliens style action
1 large section of Solaris to fill in the holes left by Event Horizon
1 stock cube of Sunshine for dramatic space opera visuals
Granules of Evil Dead for gross out gore
Blade Runner technology to aid seasoning
28 Days Later violence
1 tsp of The Thing for bizarre monsters
Method
Trim any gristle off the Aliens and dice into bit sized chunks. Don’t fry, keep it nice and rare, bloodier the better, then place in an EA development studio covered in controlling project managers, then add Sunshine, Solaris, 28 Days Later violence, Blade Runner and The Thing. Leave to seep and get some famous comic and animation artists involved.
Cook at 160 degrees c for about 1 year then stir in a tbsp of Evil Dead until it thickens then allow to cool for few months or until just warm.
Meanwhile, mince the Doom 3 (it’s hard to mix) and System Shock 2 (get rid of the best bits) and rub into RE4 and the 2001 with your fingertips until it resembles a playable game. Rub the Event Horizon in then add enough other horror ideas to bind the mixture. Cut in half and roll out on an office surface (to make the game at least 12hrs rather than 6) then place in a greased console, trimming the excess story and puzzles to keep things simple.
Add gaming mixture then use the other half of the gaming structure to make a lid. Brush with Event Horizon then put in an oven pre heated to 190 degrees c.
Bake for 1 month or until the game is fluid and original elements are less recognisable.
Leave to cool for 2 weeks before serving with an animated film and comic series.
Fini
Ok, despite the numerous elements borrowed for this title, after having had Dead Space on my plate I must say it has much to offer in terms of gameplay and for the better half of the game spades of atmosphere. The more original flavours of the game including the super smooth controls, sleekly integrated holographic projection HUD and the majority of the creature design will tickle the taste buds for hours. The sound and music are exceptionally well done, everything sounds solid and fits in with the gameworld. Issac’s boots stomping on the bulkheads, the dull whine of air filtration units and the organic squishing of bone on flesh as you tear or are torn apart by the Necromorphs. To experience the eerie decks of the Ishimura I highly recommend good headphones or a surround setup if you can, this game sounds fantastic and the team responsible deserve fudge, if not crumb fudge. Mmmmmm.
The opening is stunning.
http://pausegaming.com/niall/reviewpics/deadspace/DS_open.jpg
You’d be licking the plate clean if it were not for some of the more repetitive flavours coming through and spoiling the overall experience. While combat is generally fast, gory and satisfying throughout, the puzzles and story are weaker in comparison. Puzzles are generally completed through use of the Statis (slow-mo) and Telekinesis (gravity-gun) tools and are very straight forward. There are some better sequences later in the game that require precise positioning, speed and timing but these are not mentally taxing and are far and few between. Most of the more interesting sections occur in zero-g (which can be said of most of the game) as the area suddenly becomes vastly larger and more difficult to navigate. The zero-g areas are very eerie with dust particles clumping and floating around, the muffled sound of weapons firing and Isaac’s heavy breathing as the air runs out all making this portion of the pie exceptionally tasty. There are brilliant sections were bulkheads are broken and you’re confronted with endless space, spooky light from the systems sun pouring in and an odd sense of vertigo.
Oooh, there goes my breakfast. Man I hate spacesuits
http://pausegaming.com/niall/reviewpics/deadspace/DS_epic.jpg
Combat in these zero-g sections is fantastic, with enemies being able to sneak up on from any direction before you dance with them from surface to surface slicing limbs as you go, watching the body parts float off with blood trailing after them. It’s beautiful to be honest.
Combat is fast, unsettling, furious and bloody./
http://pausegaming.com/niall/reviewpics/deadspace/DS_combat.jpg
The story however is the bit that I had the most difficultly chewing. While the narrative is nicely laid out out via real time in-engine sequences between characters both in the flesh and through holographic videos, it just doesn’t bite the way it wants to. Sure, I’ll give it a big thumbs up for the opening, definitely one to be remembered and the tension continues for hours, but it just doesn’t know how to keep it up. It repeats its scares too often leading you to expect specific patterns and rarely diverging from these.
Oh here is goes, here goes, here goes again.
http://pausegaming.com/niall/reviewpics/deadspace/DS_scary.jpg
Wooden acting from your allies and enemies alike and constant errands taking you round the ship (multiple times) also wear thin. There is no interaction to be had with the other characters even when you are face to face with them and Isaac is mute throughout. The only aspect of the story that works is the System Shock style audio and text logs filling you in on the background and giving some insight to the situation and people involved. These are well written and voice acted, serving up the better side of the richness in Dead Space. It’s a real shame because the game so desperately wants to hit you emotionally as hard as Silent Hill 2 did and scare the living day lights out of you in the way System Shock 2 did. I think this is mostly down to the lack of connection to your mute hero, and hence your involvement in the game.
Creepy? Yeah, but imagine it was 1st person?
http://pausegaming.com/niall/reviewpics/deadspace/DS_creepy.jpg
1st person titles such as Half-Life 2 work by having a mute character because you are the character. You know what they’re saying in response to characters and events because it’s in your head, you are the hero. However, in Dead Space, it’s all about Isaac and he might as well be a floating pile of dog meat in a suit for all you care. He is subjected to some truly horrific events throughout the duration of the game which don’t phase him in the slightest, and it’s not until the very end that he does, but by then it’s too late. You just don’t care.
RUN MAN! JESUS CHRIST JUST RUN! OMG!
http://pausegaming.com/niall/reviewpics/deadspace/DS_awesome.jpg
Dead Space as a main course, will satisfy a hungry person looking for survival horror with a deep space twist. It is a well produced, artistically prominent, polished title and does its major ingredients proud, well the movie parts anyway. To expect a cog studio under the watchful gaze of the meat grinder that is EA to actually produce anything truly original is pure lunacy. However, this beautifully conceived and expertly constructed homage to deep space horror is a marvel despite its weaknesses. If you liked the look of the recipe for this money making stint and don’t have too many qualms about encouraging the corporate giant then get out there, and do some screaming. Just remember, some people like to sleep so keep the noise down ok?
Oh, and don't forget about the comic, animated movie and official Necromorph soft toy! It's so cute!
http://pausegaming.com/niall/reviewpics/deadspace/DS_comic.jpg
8/10
- Niall Macdonald 27/01/09