With the remake coming out soon I felt it was finally time for me to check out the original Dead Space.

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Reviewed on Steam Deck

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I am both equally surprised and proud of myself for beating this game. I do not do well with scary games. When I played Resident Evil 7 I had to play in 10-minute intervals to not have a heart attack. Dead Space I was actually able to play for longer stretches and I’m still alive to tell the tale. n

I really loved most aspects of this game and this is a game I would have bet money I would have not been able to complete because I would be too scared. That’s not to say the games were not scary because it definitely was, but there was something about Dead Space that had me continuing to play.

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The combat is exceptional. You will fight a variety of enemies but you take them down the same way. Shoot off their limbs. This is one of the most satisfying elements of combat in any shooter. It was a fun change instead of just aiming for their heads you aim for their arms and legs.

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The atmosphere is tense. You are in a spaceship that has a variety of tight corridors and open rooms. Fights can take place anywhere and you always need to be ready. The music and sound effects do a great job of alerting you that you are in danger and I think this was a major factor in why I was able to play the game.

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I love stories in games, it’s the main reason I play games in my adult life. Dead Space has a great story that’s told to you in a few different ways. The atmospheric storytelling is incredible as you explore. While exploring you also will find audio logs. In games, I don’t usually listen to audio logs but for some reason, I did here and it adds so much to the story. Then of course we have traditional cut scenes which are all well done. Somehow 14 years after its release I was not spoiled on the ending and I’m glad I wasn’t. n

Verdict

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For someone who usually can not play horror games, I was not expecting to get through Dead Space. Not only did I get through it, but I also loved it and can’t wait to move on to the sequel. A tense environment, excellent shooting mechanics, and a wonderfully told story make Dead Space an absolute classic.

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Final score 10/10