Highlights
- Dead Space should keep an eye on EA Motive's upcoming Iron Man game for a few reasons.
- Iron Man's flight could resemble Zero G sections, while his repulsor attacks could feel a lot like the Contact Beam weapon. Moving around on land could have the same weighty feel of walking as Isaac.
- Aside from a few gameplay similarities, Iron Man could introduce some features that carry over to Dead Space. Plus, keeping an eye on Iron Man's progress could potentially give Dead Space fans an idea of how far off another entry is.
From the start, developer EA Motive made it clear that it was passionate about the Dead Space franchise. With Visceral Games no longer existing, fans had their concerns about a remake when it was announced, but Motive delivered in a big way. Throughout the game’s development, the studio hosted live streams to share its progress in various areas, be it sound design or creative decisions like letting Isaac speak. While it is unclear when or if another Dead Space project from Motive will happen, what is clear is that fans should keep an eye on its upcoming game.
Last year, EA announced that an Iron Man game was in development, with EA Motive set to develop the project. Given how Iron Man was positioned as the main character in the MCU’s hugely successful Infinity Saga, a video game capitalizing on that popularity has been long overdue. EA Motive seems like the perfect studio to take on the task, as it can put its experience with Dead Space to good use. While similarities may be limited, they will surely be there, and they could be a legitimate reason for Dead Space fans to follow the project.
EA Motive’s Iron Man Game Can Set The Stage For Dead Space’s Future
Obviously, the tones of Iron Man and Dead Space could not be further apart. The colorful world of the former directly clashes with the brutal nature of the latter, and locations like the glamorous Stark Tower could not be any more different from the blood-filled hallways of the USG Ishimura. Still, both games feature armored protagonists, and there could be some overlap between the two characters because of that.
Given his capabilities for flight, Iron Man rarely stays on the ground for long, but there are scenarios where that is a must. Crystal Dynamics’ ill-fated Marvel’s Avengers did a fine job of this, though Dead Space remake was even better at capturing how it should feel to control someone in a suit of armor. This could be a great sign for the Iron Man game, as Tony Stark may feel as good to control on the ground as he does in the air.
Speaking of flight, Dead Space’s Zero G sections could be a good starting point for Iron Man. While the Armored Avenger will undoubtedly be moving a lot faster than Isaac Clarke, there will still be moments where he halts in the sky to shoot at foes with his repulsors. Shooting while floating feels great as Isaac, and the exact same system could be used whenever Iron Man is hovering in the sky. For Dead Space players who liked what was done with the Zero G sections in the remake, Iron Man could provide some combat that feels familiar.
There are other potential similarities to consider, too. For example, one of the weapons Isaac wields when wandering the Ishimura - the Contact Beam - could be the basis for Tony Stark’s repulsor blasts. Both its primary and secondary fires resemble Iron Man’s attacks, so fans of this piece of weaponry could find another thing to enjoy about Iron Man. Outside the gameplay, perhaps EA Motive will take a similar approach to marketing, letting fans follow along as the game is developed. With many Dead Space players loving this transparency, it could be nice to see a similar format again, as it may win over any fans that are on the fence.
Beyond a few similar gameplay systems, Dead Space fans should also watch Iron Man to see if any new mechanics could come over to a future Dead Space game. Perhaps an enemy type could inspire a new Necromorph design, while wide open flying areas could inspire bigger Zero G segments. Easter eggs could also be included, whether it be a version of Zero G Basketball or a poster from the Ishimura. Lastly, keeping an eye on what is happening with Iron Man will give fans an idea of when a sequel or Dead Space 2 remake could happen. In theory, the further along Iron Man gets into development means another Dead Space is getting closer, as Iron Man eventually releasing would free up EA Motive so that it can turn its attention back to the survival horror series.
Dead Space is available now on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X.
