Three words: Scary - As - Hell.


I'm the type of person that finds horror movies to be more like comedies. Not to insult horror movies, but many people just don't seem to grasp what real horror is these days. When it comes to video games, aside from Resident Evil, I've not seen a game that has stood up to it's name or it's hype. Not until now.


After the excitement building for the last three months since I had initially heard about Dead Space, I was finally able to purchase it yesterday for the XBox 360. I took it home. Then I waited until 8pm for the sun to go down. I turned out the lights. I turned up the surround sound. The game begins...

I'm impressed by so many things in this game that I wouldn't know where to begin. I was in no way disappointed. The storyline pulls the player in from the start. Stunning visuals and excellent voice acting definitely help.
Within the first fifteen minutes, you come to know what fear is - and you will not be let down!

The ambient sound heightens the experience. This game is meant to be played with a surround sound system. I found myself hearing noises everywhere. Just like you would expect if you were alone in a dark place with the lights out and not knowing what to expect, you look EVERYWHERE. Was it just a sound? Was it a Necromorph? So, to say that the ambient soundtrack is excellent is a bit of an understatement.


When the Necromorphs do come, they come from anywhere you can imagine - including right behind you. The battle and dismemberment technique EA has incorporated in Dead Space are excellent. The gore: intense. The fear: real. I can't tell you how many times I had to wipe the sweat from my hands. lol.


The environments are also excellently rendered, helping to create the feeling of cold desperation around nearly every corner.


Most importantly, the controls are fluid and put you in the game almost immediately (though it does take a few minutes to get into the 3rd person view, it passes quickly.) I also need to give kudos on the development of the meters and menus. Meters (Health, stasis, ammo) are easily located on Isaac's armor and gear, and the menus display as real-time holographs in front of Isaac. It also helps to keep you in the game as you never really exit the play screen except when riding the tram, shopping, or upgrading your gear.


If there are any suggestions for playing Dead Space: Play it on a big screen, with lights out, and play it with surround sound.


Though it is for mature gamers, I very highly recommend Dead Space. The hype is well-deserved. This is likely one of the best titles I've ever played, and is certainly at the top of my list in the horror genre. To EA, excellent work!!! I know what I'm doing when I get home from work tonight.



Brian (enigma_cipher) @ The Home Brewed Show
www. myspace. com/homebrewedshow.



PS:
EA - Thanks for the new suit downloads.
They look great!