The first verdict for EA's impressive survival horror game is in - and the score should keep fans excited.
The latest Xbox World 360 mag, on shelves today, awards the survival horror game 91%, claiming that Resident Evil developer Capcom should take note, "Because EA can teach them a thing or three about survival horror."
Exploring the decks of the Ishimura is a "nail-biting experience," says the mag, driven forward by the "film-worthy" script and "inspired" setting. "It's Rapture in space: every bit as disturbing, just as meticulously designed and easily as believable.
The strategic dismemberment system, it says, enforces a much more tactical approach and makes other horror game foes look "decidedly average".
"Keeping a clear head sits just below keeping a head at all in the importance stakes," it says. "Because unless you carefully pick the limbs off the approaching enemies you'll find yourself surrounded with an empty cartridge in your weapon.
"The Ishimura has a fully designed vent system which allows monsters to make their own way through the ship. Fail to stop them before they jump into an air duct and they'll pop out behind you minutes later and take two bites out of your arse."
But Dead Space's real showpiece, continues the review, is its Zero G environments. "When the gravity is removed the fun really starts," it says. "Usually the space hopping is combined with a lack of oxygen. If you've not been bolstering your O2 supplied via the BENCH upgrade system, the time limit can make for a tense scramble for the next airlock."
According to the mag the Zero G environments, which it calls Dead Space's "party piece", make up less than the 33% promised by the game's exec producer. It also complains that one boss encounter, described as "scariest beast we've ever faced" could've last longer.
"Dead Space doesn't quite give its strengths as much screen time as they fully deserved," it says, "and often falls back onto the standard staple action of Resident Evil 4.
"But what action to fall back on. The very fact that we wish Dead Space included more of its original features and less content pulled from the last generation's greatest game speaks volumes for the quality on show."
We can't wait. Read the full review in Xbox World 360 number 71, out now.
Sounds good and it's nice to see a 3rd party game get a decent review on the run-up to xmas - especially as the new Silent Hill Homecoming looks a bit duff, to say the least...
OK, that's 1 out of the 8 games I want coming up soon that gets a good review if the rest get the same then it's going to be a pretty expensive month or 2.
I almost hope there are no hidden gems out there that I also need to get, ah who am I kidding, if there are i'll need buy them as well.
This does sound great. Pity I don't have an Xbox or PS3.
That's either great restraint on your part or you really don't care for consoles.
Either way you're missing out on a lot of great stuff, with both consoles offering the same experience, certainly as far as single player games are concerned, then the low price of the 360 makes that the right choice.
It's only the right choice if that's what you want, if you want to pay extra for add-ons and online play, or if you don't want a built in blu-ray player and free online play. Its far too complex to say yep, its cheaper which means its the one to get.
Anyway dont want to turn this into a ps3 v 360 argument, sozzer
I was admittedly indifferent when this game was announced ages ago, but the more footage thats been posted has got me more and more interested.
I'll wait for a more reviews from multiple sources before I fully commit, but theres this on the 24th, Fallout on the 31st, and then GOW2 on the 7th... And Fable II and LBP in amongst all that, my missus is not gonna be a happy camper.
I was admittedly indifferent when this game was announced ages ago, but the more footage thats been posted has got me more and more interested.
I'll wait for a more reviews from multiple sources before I fully commit, but theres this on the 24th, Fallout on the 31st, and then GOW2 on the 7th... And Fable II and LBP in amongst all that, my missus is not gonna be a happy camper.
If I could get my missus to go camping for a couple of weeks, I'd be happy!
Looks like I'm going to have to start showing EA some love and also buy this game. I mean when was the last time I bought a survival horror game? Never, except Resi 4 and I don't know if that counts.
I've been liking the look of this for quite a few months now. I'm just hoping the reviews are favourable before I buy it - if this one is anything to go by, they will be.
OK, that's 1 out of the 8 games I want coming up soon that gets a good review if the rest get the same then it's going to be a pretty expensive month or 2.
I almost hope there are no hidden gems out there that I also need to get, ah who am I kidding, if there are i'll need buy them as well.
Credit Crunch?
Same here...since it went a bit quiet over Dead Space, I thought it could be a right duffer. Except it's another game I'm going to have to get! Games are like buses, etc.*
doesn't surprise me at all. i've been looking forward to dead space for ages and ages. it's gonna be one of the best of the year for sure. i love the whole idea behind it.
My latest issue of PCZone just came, and it scored 81% they stated that it was brilliant etc, but the huge letdown that stopped it being a classic is that the controls are awful on a mouse and keyboard...what a shame they had to play through it with a 360 controller. Anyway, I have a controller and will get if for PC as I like the configural options and PC games are cheaper... Still, the rest of the review was positive so im relitivly happy!
My latest issue of PCZone just came, and it scored 81% they stated that it was brilliant etc, but the huge letdown that stopped it being a classic is that the controls are awful on a mouse and keyboard...what a shame they had to play through it with a 360 controller. Anyway, I have a controller and will get if for PC as I like the configural options and PC games are cheaper... Still, the rest of the review was positive so im relitivly happy!
My latest issue of PCZone just came, and it scored 81% they stated that it was brilliant etc, but the huge letdown that stopped it being a classic is that the controls are awful on a mouse and keyboard...what a shame they had to play through it with a 360 controller. Anyway, I have a controller and will get if for PC as I like the configural options and PC games are cheaper... Still, the rest of the review was positive so im relitivly happy!
My latest issue of PCZone just came, and it scored 81% they stated that it was brilliant etc, but the huge letdown that stopped it being a classic is that the controls are awful on a mouse and keyboard...what a shame they had to play through it with a 360 controller. Anyway, I have a controller and will get if for PC as I like the configural options and PC games are cheaper... Still, the rest of the review was positive so im relitivly happy!
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they had to play through it with a 360 controller. Anyway, I have a controller and will get if for PC as I like the configural options and PC games are cheaper...
