Dead Space (Remake) Review – To Remake Whole Again

Motive Studios has brought back Dead Space like a necromorph, which reanimates the dead. This 2008 horror movie remake brings it back to life. The dismemberment-focused gunplay feels great, it looks even better, and while other noteworthy changes may not feel as substantial as some other remakes, they’re welcomed expansions to the existing template. It is an excellent remake, which faithfully recreates the magic and highlights the best elements of the original while also preserving its beloved legacy. 

Dead Space is the story of Isaac Clarke, an engineer who joined a small group to respond to a distress call received from the USG. Ishimura, a massive mining ship designed to “crack” planets and siphon their precious minerals. A plague of evil aliens known as necromorphs have ravaged the area. IshimuraTheir ability to convert corpses to its ranks is a testament to this. Clarke has to stop the extraterrestrial threat and unravel a conspiracy centered on a Theistic cult. He also must uncover what happened to Nicole, his girlfriend. Nicole is a doctor stationed aboard the ship.

While the main story remains intact from the original, there are some important elements that have been modified or added to the context of lore. Outside of tightening continuity and adding welcomed background on side characters, these differences don’t dramatically alter the story’s flow or events. The exception is a surprising change to a memorable moment later in the game – a rework that makes more sense in context to the point that I now prefer it over its original incarnation. 

Isaac is now able to talk, a notable narrative change. This was voiced by the performer that brought him back to life in Dead Space 2. Isaac feels more human than a tedious errand boy, which is a benefit to the plot. Now that Isaac can react, plot twists and revelations are more likely to hit. Motive did an excellent job weaving in his new dialogue within the script. The majority of instances remain unchanged. A few performances, though, namely Hammond’s, fall flat in a way that feels preserved from the late 2000s. 

Dead Space is now a feast for the eyes, despite being a visual delight in its time. It is available in English. IshimuraThe lighting is spectacular, making it even harder to navigate the corridors of bloody bodies. Whether you’re blanketed in pitch darkness with only your weapon’s flashlight for illumination or basking in the eerily warm glow of planet Aegis VII orbiting outside a window, the lighting serves as the presentational glue that makes this graphical facelift work. Sound design deserves to be mentioned as well. It features a lot of clever audio tricks, and some new hair-raising Necromorph grunts and screams. 

The combat system feels natural, but the new controls feel more like modern third-person shooters. Issac is able to run using an analog stick, rather than the shoulder button. The trusty plasma cutter and other weapons pack a satisfying punch, especially if you’re using the PlayStation 5’s DualSense features. The new Necromorph Damage system makes dismembering limbs easier and more strategic. In this process, layers of skin, muscles, and bone are broken apart. This new system shows more damage and highlights weak spots. One example: I enjoyed engulfing my enemies with the flamethrower and then identifying the charred bones that I could cut apart using my cutter.  

You can still find many of the enemy types in the original game. They are fun to disassemble and sometimes even more challenging. The ability to slow down an attack and stop it before it connects is just as amazing as 14 years ago. You can also use kinesis or stasis to grab and impale Necromorphs with any stray items, even their sharpened, amputated limbs. Rooms have more tools and weapons for environmental warfare, like gasoline or stasis tanks.

Unless you finished the original game recently or replayed it enough to intimately know its map, the level design changes probably won’t leap out as suddenly as a necromorph ambush. You can find the following: IshimuraAlthough the layout and many rooms are still the same, they have been considerably expanded. It is possible to access specific areas from the tram car. This makes the ship feel closer together. For those looking to travel quickly between sections that are necromorph-free, the tram is still available. The zero gravity sections of the original game were not my favorite. There you can use your suits rockets and propel yourself through weightless zones, which sometimes are oxygen-free. They are still available, though I am able to do so without them. However, the sequels have an improved control system that makes them less disorienting. 

However, you can freely return to previously cleared areas at any time. Necromorphs may still be present in these zones. This can make things even more frightening. Sometimes it happened that I went back to an area but nothing changed. Some times I was awoken by new and cleverly designed ways to assault my surroundings. I love how this system perpetuates Dead Space’s tense and unpredictable design outside the main path, making me second-guess my surroundings no matter how many times I step into them. 

Revisiting certain areas can often bring you money, weapons upgrade nodes and valuable ammo. All of these items are locked behind security doors. You’ll also be making these trips to complete the newly added sidequests. There aren’t many of these extra missions, but they generally serve to supplement the lore. The quest to create the Hunter Necromorph the regenerator is one example. Though you’ll largely only find yourself running around the ship’s districts in search of specific audio logs or keys, sidequests add a small but tasty sidedish that extends your unfortunate visit.   

Motive didn’t reinvent Dead Space. Instead, Motive improved Dead Space and made it play better. But, they also preserved its core. The new touches add to the enjoyment, not subtract from it. This remake respects and polishes up my memories of Isaac’s first encounter with the necromorphs without making me miss the original version. It also acts as the perfect entry point for newcomers since it feels on par with today’s titles. EA should use this extraordinary revision to signal that Dead Space still has lots of fuel in its tank, and it will become a beacon for other horrifying tales in the universe.