Not long after the release and widespread critical acclaim of the Dead Space remake released earlier this year, EA sent out a survey to fans in an attempt to gauge interest regarding whether the publisher should task EA Motive with making remakes of the other games in the survival horror franchise. One of the best parts of the remake of Dead Space was the way that it kept the core gameplay intact while also expanding on other elements like the story and characters through clever implementation of environmental storytelling and engaging side quests. The end result was that the remake's version of the Ishimura felt more alive (or dead) than ever.
With the distinct possibility that the success of the Dead Space remake may give way to a remake of Dead Space 2, the question becomes how EA Motive can take the original game and improve upon it similarly. Dead Space's Ishimura is one of the more iconic survival horror settings, and Dead Space 2 brought protagonist Isaac Clarke to The Sprawl - a massive and interconnected EarthGov space station. In order to have The Sprawl reach the same heights as the Ishimura did in Dead Space, the sequel's remake should also incorporate plenty of engaging side quests and nuggets of lore hidden in the station's dark corners.
Expanding on the Dead Space Remake's Side Quests in the Sequel
Deviations from a game's critical path can often prove to be just as engaging as the main story content. Dead Space's remake is no exception, with the side quests from the original game expanded upon and developed into welcome detours that flesh out much of the game's overarching story and lore. EA Motive also put in significant work to shake up expected story beats and keep players on their toes throughout the game's duration, giving underutilized characters from the original Dead Space greater importance or having side quests fully developed into multi-objective affairs instead of simple "go here, do this" distractions.
Thanks to the stunning graphical fidelity and expert use of lighting in the Dead Space remake, participating in these optional side quests was also a test of players' mettle. The remake establishes early on that most side objectives or valuable resources are well-hidden and typically guarded by any assortment of horrific monstrosities. In a potential Dead Space 2 remake, doubling down on optional side quests that make use of The Sprawl's interconnection could both heighten the tension of the game while also bringing its story some added dimension and depth.
Using Environmental Storytelling to Heighten Dead Space 2's Story and Setting
Along with giving players more incentive to explore the interiors of the Ishimura on both the main and side quests, EA Motive made great use of advanced hardware to create startlingly detailed environments that had their own story to tell. While most of Dead Space's narrative is conveyed through audio and video recordings, subtle clues around the ship help to illuminate just how horrific the final moments were for the unfortunate souls aboard the Ishimura. Whether through cryptic messages scrawled in blood or esoteric symbology employed by the Unitologists, Dead Space successfully communicates important details about the setting and characters through environmental storytelling.
The original Dead Space 2 featured an iconic sequence in which Isaac Clarke enters the Titan Elementary School on The Sprawl, along with a heart-wrenching trip into its nursery. In sequences such as this one, the visual storytelling on display says much more about the fate of The Sprawl's inhabitants than a text log or audio recording ever could. The attention to detail and graphical fidelity of the Dead Space remake will help to make The Sprawl in a Dead Space 2 remake stand shoulder to shoulder with the Ishimura, the Spencer Mansion, or the town of Silent Hill.
Dead Space is out now for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
