I've been putting off posting a review of Dead Space, as I really wanted to finish the game before I put one up. But as the game is going, I just don't see that happening.
Dead Space was supposed to be the next great in Survival Horror games. The basic idea is you're a Space Marine (sound like every other game yet?), but I think you're regarded more as a Space Janitor. You're on a recon mission to ship that has been out of contact. Upon entering the ship you're quick to discover that it has been taken over by a bunch of monsters that are difficult to kill
This is about the point that any sane person leaves the ship, and nukes it from orbit, but this is a cliche survival horror, so what's more important is sticking around, and watching people get slaughtered.
So, did it succeed? Well it's creepier than Doom, that's for sure. I really don't believe a game can be all that scary, but it was certainly creepy, so it delivered, IMO. It was aslo very gory, so kudos there as well.
Now begs the question, if it did well, why can't I finish the game? I think it all boils down to the fact that there is no auto-run in the game. You sluggishly walk from room to room. By the time I finish a level, I feel exhausted and need to take a break by watching some TV, or playing a different, more fast pace game.
Also, the end of a level, really was the clear end of a level. There really wasn't much of a cliff-hanger encouraging me to move on to the next level. Yay! I did everything there was to be done in the MedLab, and I'm taking a tram to somewhere unimportant. Time to make dinner.
Also, because of this constant walking, I felt very frustrated when encountering multiple enemies. There was no real duck and weave. Spinning around at lightning speeds to waste a baddie. Just walking around and hoping you don't get eviscerated.
Overall, the game was well made, but it was just too sluggish to keep me happy.
