The horror game genre is filled with some of the most popular franchises in gaming. Series like Resident Evil have been delivering scares and action in equal measure for years, and Dead Space carved out its own niche in the space quickly. The original game was lauded by fans for its foreboding atmosphere and blend of horror elements reminiscent of classics like The Thing and Alien. Fans were treated to the reveal of a Dead Space remake at the EA Play Live event today after rumors about the project circulated for months. Hopefully this return to the franchise will mark the beginning of a longer journey for fans.
The new trailer for the Dead Space remake teased fans with a taste of what the classic will look like rebuilt from the ground up using the Frostbite Engine on next-gen consoles. The trailer didn't reveal much, but showed off a glimpse at the cramped corridors of the Ishimura and protagonist Isaac Clarke. Mirroring the original trailer, it also featured a creepy rendition of the song "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" in the background, and a quick shot of the series' Necromorph enemies. Fans are excited about the game already, and are likely hoping that the release will spark new interest in future Dead Space projects.
Dead Space Shouldn't be EA's Only Return to the Franchise
If EA plans to bring a new version of Dead Space to fans, it's likely it may be betting on a resurgence of the franchise. Even if it's limited to remakes, more projects could be a big deal. The first two games are held in very high regard among fans and critics, especially in the horror genre. Blending a sci-fi environment that felt lived-in despite the horrific circumstances with an engaging lore that took inspiration from genre films like Event Horizon paid off. That success is a big part of the excitement around the EA Play Live 2021 announcement.
The first two Dead Space games released at a time where many mainstream horror games had moved away from their survival roots in favor of higher-octane action that could take away from atmosphere. Taking more of an "everyman" approach to protagonist Isaac helped set Dead Space apart from the pack by introducing tension that can only come from controlling a character who isn't an absolute killing machine. Isaac certainly wasn't helpless, but focusing too much on combat prowess was part of the backlash against Dead Space 3. The third entry was by no means a bad game, but many fans felt that it had lost some of the appeal from the first two entries.
This is something that a continued return to the franchise could help to assuage. Dead Space won't be as unique in the space this time around, as many popular horror franchises have embraced the tension that comes with a "weaker" protagonist. Dead Space will also have some direct competition from Callisto Protocol. This isn't a bad things for fans however, as they'll have access to multiple attempts at recapturing the original magic of Dead Space. This is why EA should take a serious look at continuing its legacy after the Dead Space remake releases.
Remakes are incredibly popular right now, with games like FF7 Remake drawing enormous success and even rumored remakes like KOTOR generating buzz online. Seeing Dead Space 2 receive same treatment down the road is likely, especially if this next-gen Dead Space remake is successful. But the potential for the franchise to continue in earnest would be the most exciting possibility for fans. It all remains to be seen based on how fans respond to the Dead Space remake, but hopefully this is just the beginning of a resurgence for the classic franchise.
A Dead Space remake is currently in development for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
