Electronic Arts' Dead Space franchise went quiet for a little while after the release of Dead Space 3 in 2013. The third entry into the series was well-received, but many felt that the switch to more of an action-focused experience and a move away from the classic horror tropes of the original was to the franchise's detriment. Regardless, fans were eager for another installment and were excited when it was confirmed in 2021 that EA was working on a remake of the first Dead Space.
While the remake will be tweaking lots of elements of the original and providing an overall update of visuals and graphics, the basic plot and focus of Dead Space will remain the same. Players will still be taking control of engineer Isaac Clarke as he searches the planetary mining ship USG Ishimura for his missing girlfriend. While some things will be familiar to players, others in the Dead Space remake will be entirely new, offering not only a better-looking version of the first game but also an updated one.
Gameplay, Atmosphere, And Environments
While some of what the Dead Space remake will entail remains a mystery, the developer has spoken about some of the changes coming to the gameplay. Assets, character models, and environments are all being redesigned for the upcoming game, meaning that while the story may be similar, the setting may not be so familiar. The trailers, images, and gameplay demo have all shown off the game's new and improved look, and it definitely seems like everything from the ship to Isaac's armor is getting an upgrade.
There's nothing wrong with sticking to the original formula and ensuring that the Dead Space remake is simply a much better-looking version of the game, but it seems like EA is determined to take this a step further. With the game being rebuilt from the ground up in the Frostbite engine, it won't be an exact replica by any stretch of the imagination. As setting and atmosphere are so key to the tone of Dead Space, this will surely have a big impact on how players experience the game. There will be 3D audio added, as well as more advanced lighting mechanics to ensure that Dead Space is as disturbing as it is visually pleasing.
Dismemberment mechanics are also getting overhauled, with the development team aiming for more realistic and gory depictions alongside some improvements to the overall level designs. Another massive change will be the removal of loading screens. Instead, Dead Space will have a kind of one-shot dynamic much like 2018's God of War, which will add to the relentless tension of the original and create a much more fluid and immersive experience.
Giving Isaac A Voice
One of the biggest changes coming to the Dead Space remake is related to the protagonist Isaac Clarke. While he finds his voice in Dead Space 2 and Dead Space 3, he's essentially silent in the first game. Some players really liked this, as it let them completely immerse themselves in the world of the creepy ship and its mutated inhabitants without the distraction of off-hand comments from their protagonist. It also made Isaac a completely blank slate Everyman character – someone who didn't pull focus but still let players experience the story through his eyes.
Others found his lack of voice disturbing, as there were several key moments throughout the narrative that felt particularly worthy of comment, and Isaac's refusal to utter a single syllable just felt baffling and a little off-putting. The developers have assured fans that while Isaac will have dialogue in the Dead Space remake, it will still be sparse and unobtrusive, and will only occur when it would otherwise be weird for him to just say nothing.
It remains to be seen whether all of these changes will improve the original game, or if players will appreciate them. There is still a little time before gamers can get their hands on the upcoming Dead Space remake, but many are hoping the ten-year gap between entries will be more than worth it.
Dead Space will release on January 23, 2023, on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
