Review: Dead Space 2

Isaac Clarke finds himself in hell again in the claustrophobic space-horror game Dead Space 2.

In the original Dead Space, Clarke was aboard the space freighter Ishimura, left to fight a variety of mutated necromorphs with cutting tools and other ersatz weapons, while trying to save his girlfriend Nicole.

Unfortunately, Nicole dies in the process and Clarke is transferred to a mental facility/research center.

In Dead Space 2, Clarke finds that the necromorphs have somehow invaded the ship he’s on and the horror continues.

As Clarke battles to find the source of the problem, he encounters horrors as well as the uncertainty of what he is witnessing. Flashbacks to Nicole haunts his quest. At times, he can’t be sure what really is real, often flirting with coming unhinged in the midst of the slaughter.

Along the way, he maintains communication with other people who seem to be feeding him conflicting information.

The necromorphs – comprised of reanimated dead humans, often assembled in a seemingly haphazard way – are as vicious and grotesque as ever, wanting to rip Clarke apart with each encounter.

Using the cutting and burning tools that he acquires along the way, Clarke must kill each by separating their limbs from their bodies (called strategic dismemberment in the game) and then – for good measure – stomping them so that they cannot come back to life.

Doing so often reveals health or ammunition or monetary credits that can be used to stock up for coming battles.

He also can again use workbenches strewn throughout to upgrade weaponry, using scavenged power nodes to add functionality to the arsenal at hand.

While Dead Space 2 can be frustratingly difficult at times, the game does provide a liberal number of save points, including ones just before critical battles.

Dread has again been ratcheted up, with dark, diffused lighting; intense ambient sounds; and sudden “boo” moments building the tension. The design of the levels, although generally utilitarian, imbues the space station with both life and death. While there is definite anticipated horror in the dark areas, the well-lit sections of the game bring with them their own brand of foreboding, as evil waits in playrooms and lobbies.

Clarke must again use powers of telekinesis and stasis (the power to move objects and the power to freeze objects). Both powers get a heavy workout and are extremely important in solving puzzles and killing necromorphs. Using telekinesis to fling dead body parts as ammo also plays an important role in the gameplay when regular ammo runs low.

The game also offers multiplayer online action, with a team of humans battling a team of necromorphs in alternating matches.

Each of the maps in multiplayer task the human team with completing a mission, with the necromorphs trying to prevent completion. For instance, in the Solar Array map, the humans must deliver the firing coordinates to the solar array. After a match is completed, the teams switch sides.

Dead Space 2 takes the good parts of the first game – the sense of dread, the cool evisceration tools and the strong storyline – and ups the ante, delivering a powerhouse tale of dismemberment and disassociation.

Platform: Xbox 360/Playstation 3 Rating: Mature Manufacturer: Electronic Arts Score: 9 strategically dismembered chilies