BalekFekete
Shared on Thu, 10/16/2008 - 08:19Never has a one-two punch to the gut been so enjoyable. Two days ago, I giggle like a little boy as I unwrap and load up SOCOM: Confrontation (which, as it turns out, Sony greatly underestimated the demand and watched their servers turn to goo last night 
). Then last night, I got to do it all over again, but this time with the horror-survival game Dead Space. For those unaware, the best way to describe Dead Space is to take Bioshock, mix in a healthy dose of Aliens and a little Event Horizon, and then put in a liberal dose of Chuck Norris and bacon. It's that good.
). Then last night, I got to do it all over again, but this time with the horror-survival game Dead Space. For those unaware, the best way to describe Dead Space is to take Bioshock, mix in a healthy dose of Aliens and a little Event Horizon, and then put in a liberal dose of Chuck Norris and bacon. It's that good.I'm going to preface the impressions and mini-review with a trip back in time, back to 2001. I had just moved with the family down south to North Carolina, and we were out in the boonies. No city lights, no noise to speak of, just fields of tobacco and quite surrounded us. Just after we moved, I bought a game for the GameCube called Eternal Darkness and proceeded to play it in the pitch black darkness except for a thunderstorm firing off in the background. It was the first and only time in my life I had to pause a game, turn on the lights, and stare in amazement as I let my heart rate come back to sub-cardiac arrest levels. That was...it was the only time until last night. I'm not sure what made me think that an extra 7 years would bolster my mental and colonic fortitude, but I was mistaken. I was freaked-the-fuck-out, and it was awesome!!!
First I'll touch on the technical qualities of the game. To get it out of the way, this is the single most visually impressive and gorgeous game I have seen ever. EVER. I say that without reservation and taking fully into account the games of the past year or so which have been masterpieces in and of themselves. From the incredible detail given to even the most benign textures to the dynamic lighting to the special effects, everything is spot on. Then the sound - it is my new benchmark for showcasing my 5.1 system, including a new 1000W subwoofer. The separation is perfectly done, and the levels vary and flow to create an audio sensation that sets a new bar in my book. Finally, the total lack of a persistent HUD in the game is wonderful! I really don't know how we've played other games with a full HUD before, because I honestly even forgot about the components it shows (health, ammo levels, map, etc) unless I needed them. When I did, it was right there in front of me! Combine both the visuals and the audio components and you are granted the landscape where a psychological thriller of a game can thrive. If either were missed, then all you have are cheap scares and gore for the purpose only of gore, and that would suck. Dead Space is the polar opposite - it just exudes style.
All of that is some of the most positively glowing remarks I've given a game...but that's not even half of what makes Dead Space. The better part of a game like this is the story, including the script, background, setting, voice acting, and theatrical timing. Keep in mind that I can only comment on the first chapter (hell, and not even all of it!) but say without reservation that this game will meet and probably exceed what Bioshock laid on the table and what was my gold standard for single-player only games. The goal for any game like this, in my estimation, is to make me feel like I'm playing a movie. I want to feel engaged in the story, and have my will pulled towards the finale by the directors so that while I feel that I'm controlling the action, the whole story is proceeded exactly how it should to be the best it can be. After only a few minutes in (no spoilers here, don't worry), I was IN. I was involved and committed to the story. I can't wait for the next few nights when I can really open up the engine and let it purr.
I'll close on one final note - "strategic dismemberment" will never get old. 
It's one thing to load up any other FPS or the like and just empty a clip into said unnamed baddie's chest until they drop, it's a completely different sensation to laze off a leg, watch it fall away, see small tendrils come out of the torso trying to find and reattach the missing limb, and then have the attention put back on you as the alien starts dragging itself, hand over hand, towards you with just one idea in its skull - rip you to shreds.
It's one thing to load up any other FPS or the like and just empty a clip into said unnamed baddie's chest until they drop, it's a completely different sensation to laze off a leg, watch it fall away, see small tendrils come out of the torso trying to find and reattach the missing limb, and then have the attention put back on you as the alien starts dragging itself, hand over hand, towards you with just one idea in its skull - rip you to shreds.I'm stating the obvious here - GET THIS GAME NOW. Forget that boycott you have of EA for past atrocities to gamers worldwide, and relish in what may end up as one of the finest experiences we have as gamers to date...at least that's my hope.
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Comments
Submitted by nomodifier on Thu, 10/16/2008 - 08:25
Submitted by Automan21k on Thu, 10/16/2008 - 08:45
Submitted by ATC_1982 on Thu, 10/16/2008 - 08:48
Submitted by nomodifier on Thu, 10/16/2008 - 08:57
Submitted by Baine on Thu, 10/16/2008 - 10:38
Submitted by CottonKing on Sun, 10/19/2008 - 08:58