The horror genre has found a particularly popular home in the video gaming world. Atmosphere and tension can be applied through the tactile medium in a way that can be hard to replicate in movies or television shows, but obvious influences from classic horror films are on display in many gaming franchises likeDead Space.The sci-fi horror title wore itsAlienandEvent Horizoninfluences on its sleeve, and to great effect. The game quickly garnered critical and commercial success, then spawned two sequels. After a long hiatus, fans ofDead Spacesuddenly have a lot to look forward to in the next few years.
During its EA Play Live 2021 event, the publisher announced aremake of the originalDead Space. Bringing the over-10-year-old title up to technical snuff with the Frostbite Engine has drawn a lot of excitement from fans. However, the reveal trailer was brief, not showing off more than a quick glimpse of Isaac, a necromorph, and the interior of the USG Ishimura. Still,Dead Spacehas been a fan-favorite series for a long time, so it was only natural it would draw fans' attention quickly.
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While the originalDead Spaceholds up well, the game will likely benefit from small quality-of-life adjustments. One thing that made the original so popular was its emphasis on survival and the “everyman” approach to protagonist Isaac Clarke. Many of the other big names in horror likeResident Evilhad started to move toward a bigger focus on action and over-the-top heroes. While changes are seemingly being made, it seems like EA is shying away from some of the action elements that led tobacklash againstDead Space 3.
Isaac is by no means a pushover, but resources were scarce and threats were everywhere in the original game. Players had to ration out vital items for healing and ammunition for the various repurposed mining tools they used as weapons. This helped to create tension as players were forced to choose between wasting time and resources ona swarm of necromorphsor fleeing to fight another day. It struck a balance between the action and terror in a way that many fans quickly came to love. Hopefully this balance is preserved when theDead Spaceremake releases.
Many fans are hoping that a renewed interest in the franchise will lead to remakes of the other games or an actual sequel or reboot. Luckily, even if those dreams don’t come true players will have another experience to look forward to that will help scratch the itch for sci-fi survival horror.Dead Space’s original creator is working on a new IP calledCallisto Protocolthat has strong spiritual ties toDead Space. The game has only really been seen through one reveal cinematic, butconcept art forCallisto Protocoland other media have showcased a tone that’s very similar.
After a long hiatus sinceDead Space 3released and the departure ofDead Space’screator, fans have a lot to get excited about. The remake has a lot of potential to bringDead Spaceto a new generation of fans and recapture older ones. Hopefully the updates to its technical side don’t detract from the core of the experience, but it’s doubtful EA will tamper too much with a successful formula. WithCallisto Protocolalso on the way, sci-fi horror games could be seeing a strong resurgence in the next few years.
TheDead Spaceremake is in development for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
