Dead Space Remake is an elevation of the original title in virtually every way. Heightened graphics, improved sound design, restructured narrative beats, and even an alternate ending help to make Dead Space Remake a remarkable adventure.
For Dead Space fans, both new converts and long-standing fanatics, the alternate ending is an incredibly intriguing prospect. Accessing the alternate ending, however, is not a task for the faint of heart.
How to Unlock the Alternate Ending
Dead Space Remake’s alternate ending requires the player to complete the game at least twice. There is no difficulty expectation required. Simply complete the game on any difficulty, then access New Game + (again, on any difficulty).
In the New Game + playthrough, Issac will be required to collect 12 marker fragments throughout the levels of the game. Each of these fragments is tucked away somewhere throughout the Ishimura. While there are 12 fragments, this does not actually translate to 'one-fragment-per-chapter'. Some chapters double up on fragments while others don't include them at all.
Once all fragments have been collected, the alternate ending is within the player’s grasp, but do not miss the important last step of heading to Captain Mathius’s office. Listed below are the marker fragments and when and where to find them. Slight spoilers for the game lie ahead.
Chapter 1: New Arrivals Marker Fragment Location
On the Flight Deck and inside the Maintenance Bay Office, there will be plenty of helpful tools for Issac to grab. Sitting among them, the first marker fragment is positioned on the bookshelf next to the desk. As with everything on this list, if the player ever gets lost, use Issac's guidance system and map. There are plenty of handy resources to make this search far easier.
Chapter 2: Intensive Care Marker Fragment Location
Dr. Kyne’s office can be found directly across the room from the mini-elevator that moves Issac from the balcony area to the first floor of the Medical Deck. Inside the office, the player may notice a bookshelf looking a bit out of place. Use Kinesis to move the shelf and access the room behind it. The second marker fragment is sitting on the desk inside.
Chapter 3: Course Correction Marker Fragment Location
The big steam engine room may seem like an odd spot to find this marker fragment. The piece is tucked carefully away behind one of the elaborate engine contraptions on the far left side of the room.
Chapter 4: Obliteration Imminent Marker Fragment Location
Head to Floor 1. This is accessed using the center elevator on the Bridge. Head through Comms and into the Break Room on the right. The marker fragment is next to the bizarre, red prayer circle on the ground.
Chapter 5: Lethal Devotion Marker Fragment Locations
Through the morgue and into Dr. Mercer’s lab, this marker fragment sits on the desk under a dissected infector. Thankfully, this one is hard to miss.
But that’s not all! This chapter actually has two marker fragments to find. The second is positioned on top of the structure that holds the Cryogenics Chamber. Turn Issac’s focus upward to catch the carefully positioned fragment that can be pulled with Kinesis and added to inventory.
Chapter 6: Environmental Hazard Marker Fragment Location
This is one of the trickier fragments. The easiest way to get to it is to access the circuit breaker in the Hydroponics Bay and turn on the zero gravity function. Make a 180 turn and fly straight up to the top platform. To land or keep flying is entirely up to player preference. Turn Issac over his left shoulder back towards the direction of the circuit breaker. There’s an amalgamation of clumped-together goo similar to the stuff the player has likely seen all around the ship. Use Kinesis to pull the fragment out of the goo.
Chapter 7: Into the Void Marker Fragment Location
Inside the cleansing control room and to the right, there is a pile of gore containing Dallas’s rig. Once Dallas’s rig has been acquired and Issac’s security clearance is updated to Level 3, backtrack to the Mineral Samples room. The marker fragment is sitting on the shelf directly ahead.
Chapter 8: Search and Rescue Marker Fragment Location
Inside the Communications Array room where Issac is forced to position the arrays in the correct locations to get a signal out, there is another alien growth protruding out from the wall. Fly over to it using zero gravity. Inside the cavernous growth, the marker fragment is floating and ready to be taken.
Chapter 10: End of Days Marker Fragment Locations
Grab the battery from the Deluxe Quiet Bunks and place it into the circuit breaker control unit in the Deluxe Quarters. Use the breaker to access the doors. Then backtrack through the Central Nexus to the Deluxe Shift Quarters on the opposite side. The door should now be open allowing Issac to take the fragment that sits on the desk on the left side of the room.
Surprise! There’s another marker fragment in Chapter 10. After the conversation with Kyne, wait for the door on the left to open. This marker fragment thinks it’s clever because it hides just behind a bottle of wine on the table marked with ‘Amelia’ graffiti directly ahead of where the door opens.
Chapter 11: Alternate Solutions Marker Fragment Location
While exploring the super-fun-and-not-at-all-terrifying room to engage the cargo crane, head around to the southwest corner. A marker fragment is tucked away on a shelf. Claiming it will complete the quest for marker fragments! So, what is next?
What To Do With The Marker Fragments
Once all the marker fragments have been acquired, head to the crew quarters. Backtracking to this area shouldn't add too much to the game's runtime so long as the player knows where to go. From the tram station, go directly through the doors straight ahead and down the small walkway past another set of doors. Head to the far side of the next room on the left to the elevator that goes to the Central Nexus. Go to Floor 1. Out of the elevator, go through the door straight ahead, past the broken glass, and get on the mini-elevator. At the top, walk around to the right to reach the Executive Quarters. Go straight through the doors until Issac appears in the executive quarter’s lounge. The first door on the left is the Captain’s room.
Inside the Captain’s room, there sits a table with a horrific little ritualistic display. The centerpiece of this is what appears to be a model of the marker surrounded by 12 candles. Activating this display will blow out the candles. When they ignite again, all 12 of the marker fragments will be sitting in their place. Issac may hear a whisper or two at this point. This is the player’s signifier that the job is done.
Now, complete the game as normal. The final cutscene will play out a bit differently as the alternate ending unfolds in all of its creepy glory. This will also unlock the Reunion achievement or trophy and help the player on the quest to being a Dead Space completionist.