The Dead Space horror game franchise has an iconic and compelling world. As engineer Isaac Clarke, players travel to various locales, repairing stuff and fighting Necromorphs as they try to survive. The original Dead Space tells its story mostly through logs and level design. Since the majority of the game takes place on the Necromorph-infested USG Ishimura, most of the ship's crew are either dead or transformed by the alien infection. It comes as no surprise, then, that Isaac doesn't come across many people while on the ship.
The humans Isaac comes into contact with though are quite memorable. Chief Security officer Zach Hammond commands an air of authority around him — adding a much-needed sense of calm amidst the Necromorph infestation. Computer technician Kendra Daniels always seems to have a plan, and her instructions are essential in Issac's mission to fix the USG Ishimura. Even the insane Challus Mercer is unique in that his faith leads him to believe that Necromorphs are mankind's naturally evolved form. However, one of the most important characters in Dead Space, one that feels extremely underutilized, is Isaac's girlfriend: Nicole Brennan.
Warning: Spoilers ahead for Dead Space and Dead Space 2.
The Original Dead Space's Nicole Was Lacking In Personality
The USG Ishimura's senior medical officer, Nicole, is the reason Isaac joined the repair crew in the first place. During the events of Dead Space (particularly at the beginning and end), Isaac can be seen watching a troubling pre-recorded message from Nicole. It is this need to find Nicole that pushes Isaac to repair the Necromorph-infested ship and search for his missing girlfriend.
Things seem off as soon as Isaac finds Nicole. There is no heartfelt greeting; no sense of expression. There is absolutely no hint whatsoever that these two people are lovers. In fact, the only things Nicole seems concerned about are Isaac's mission to repair the Ishimura, and the need to return the mysterious Red Marker back to Aegis VII — the planet where the Marker was unearthed.
It becomes clear to the player later on that the Nicole that Isaac is interacting with is not the real Nicole, but a hallucination caused by his exposure to the Red Marker. The real Nicole is dead by her own hand way before Isaac and the repair crew made it onboard the Ishimura. This explains the lack of expression from "Nicole," and her persistent desire for Isaac to return the Red Marker to its point of origin.
Dead Space 2 Did A Great Job of Characterizing Nicole
If the developers at Motive Studios want the upcoming Dead Space remake's Nicole to be a more compelling character, they need look no further than Dead Space 2. While the real Nicole in this game is still very much dead, the hallucination's presence is more prominent to Isaac. Throughout Isaac's journey on Titan Station, "Nicole" constantly taunts him regarding his past actions and decisions. As his dementia gets worse, "Nicole" gets more violent. She begins to take control of Issac, and one point nearly causes him to kill himself.
Players eventually come to the realization that "Nicole" is a reflection of Isaac's guilt. His failure to save Nicole during the events of the first game causes him a lot of grief, but he can't seem to let go of the hallucinations because they are the only thing he has left of her. Towards the end, "Nicole" confronts Isaac about these feelings in a very heartfelt exchange that makes the engineer take a deep, introspective look at himself.
While those specific events are best left to the remake's sequel, the Dead Space remake can take the storytelling elements of Dead Space 2 and start implementing them as early as the first game. While the original Dead Space had Isaac finding Nicole later in the game, the remake could introduce her much earlier. More scenes involving a more expressive Nicole will allow players to build a relationship with her. It will also allow Isaac time to catch up with his girlfriend.
This strong bond with her can be nourished throughout the narrative, making her a more compelling character. It also makes the eventual revelation of her death all the more shocking for those who have never played the original games. The Dead Space remake has a lot of potential. Motive Studios already proved that they can deliver on the sound and graphics forefronts, but if they manage to get the gameplay and story right, then this will no doubt be a successful revitalization of one of gaming's most iconic franchises.
The Dead Space remake is set to release in early 2023 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
