Tuesday, 7 April 2009
Dead Space (360)
ok first review of many peeps so will be a little raw till i get the hang of it but bare with me.
Ok being a big fan of the survival horror genre i had massive hopes for this game - undead monsters in a sci fi setting = heaven for me being a massive sci-fi fan as well, though being from EA i held back from getting too excited. From the opening credits i knew this was going to be something a little special. The lighting effects were the best i've seen this generation, graphics were superb, the setting brilliant and the sound was really really fantastic. see the intro below
Intro movie - looking great
the story in a nut shell is mining ship - Ishimura ("Planet Cracker") has gone black and no one has heard from the crew for several days, you are part of a small team sent to investigate the problem and help repair the ships comms. On a side plot your fancy piece is on the ship as well adding a little extra passion for the character and helping to form a good link with him. Because of this added spice to the story when he dies your gutted and really want him to find his love and get the hell out of there. Upon boarding the ship the crew are found to be dead and the monsters then appear - you have to kill your way around the ship to get certain things done in able to make your escape. Constant back tracking can prove to be a little tedious after several trips here there and everywhere to start this and move that.
The game is a 3rd person shooter and holds a big resemblance to the resident evil games in terms of camera views - this can be a royal pain in the ass at times but you soon get to grips with the way things work. Another important feature are the weapons. Theres a great range from pistols to sub machine guns to flame throwers so something for everyone. Another massive plus is the use of stasis means you can freeze enemies to make nice easy kills or run the hell out of there, this brings a lot of joy to your work.
the beauty of the scenery is quite immense - I'm sure i left a ship here
the enemies are also a nice mix. Some big, some small, some fast and some slow and basically covers all aspect of a range of enemies any game should have. That Being easy to kill, high in number and volume enemies, a few bigger tougher enemies for more of a challenge and some epic bosses to make you stop and just gawp with amazement. the only way to kill these feckers is by de-limbing them - hours of fun to be had. Graphically this is one of the best and most polished games i've played to date, some epic back drops through out the game. The zero gravity sections are nicely done and the vacuum entering and exiting scenes are pure brilliance. Also the in game holograms are nothing short of amazing - blew my socks off the first time i had one pop up - basically you can keep moving and move the camera around the hologram to view it from every angle (small thing but makes a big difference).
The sound is also a great treat. The sounds make you jump at just the right times and create a great tense atmosphere - that coupled with the constant shadows and glimpses of enemies round every turn. the sounds in zero atmosphere sections is muffled well and helps create the feeling your in an area with no atmosphere and takes you to were the game creators want your mind set to be. So to conclude, if you like sci-fi games you have to play this, if you like survival horror games you have to play this, if you like 3rd person shooters you have to play this, in fact i'd recommend this to any gamer to see just what can be achieved on the 360 and PS3. For me it is more spectacular than playing bioshock for the first time and why it never got the praise that did is beyond me - truly one of the greats of this generation and is promising to see EA branching out onto new franchises and taking a gamble.
Ave it you slags
9.5 - Presentation
A deep story and incredible atmosphere with tons of horror influences make Dead Space one of those titles that is a great starting point for a franchise.
10 - Graphics
Visually striking, everything from the holograms to the Necromorphs is incredible. depressurization is to be seen to be believed.
9.5 - Sound
Voice acting is delivered beautifully, but it's the sound design that will have you jumping out of your seat and sending shivers down your spine.
9.5 - Gameplay
A strong mix of action and exploration is only hampered by repetitive, though appropriate, backtracking - control systems is easy to get to grips with but in game menus can be a bugger to deal with mid battle
8.5 - Lasting Appeal
You'll have to play through the game multiple times to improve your gear and understand the full story. Achievements will also mean several playthroughs if your going for the 100%
OVERALL - 9.5/10
let us know your views below................
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