Dead Space is best described as Resident Evil 4 in space. Which is really not a bad comparison if you think about it. Capcom presented Resident Evil 4 as the pinnacle of the survival horror genre has to offer, and Dead Space is using those elements and expanding it into the science fiction realm.
An sci-fi application of Dead Space is Issac’s holographic display. Instead of bringing up another screen for the menu, maps and videos are projected directly in front of him. Item selection works likewise. The camera rarely moves from behind Issac and as a result the interface is free of clutter. Health is indicated by a glowing light on Issac’s back with another light to indicate his special stasis power. The clutterfree approach for Dead Space works remarkably as the player would not have to pause the action in order to pull up a map or select items. In fact, the only item that can be used without going into the menu is a health item.
Ammunation is scarce and force the player to improvise with the situation they are given. Abilities such as telekenesis are available to help support this approach.
Some sections of the game will involve no gravity, causing the player to feel weightless and be able to jump from one side of a corridor to another. The game also sets in a level of progression as you will be able to upgrade various weapons and abilities in order to tackle increasinly harder enemies.
Dead Space is a sci-fi survival horror game that leaves players feeling its more than your average third person shooter. Await its release coming in October 21st.
Gameplay demonstration can be seen here
