Difficulty:

Hard

Time Spent:

10 to 20 Hours

The Bottom Line:

"Immersive"

Sequels in today's world have always seemed to fall short of expectations, though it has become custom for best selling titles such as Dead Space to receive sequels they are normally shadowed by they're predecessors.
However there are those few exceptions and Dead Space 2 is one of those games.

Dead Space 2 takes place three years after the events of the first game with returning engineer Issac Clark. Suffering from a rare case of dementia, caused by the Red Marker, he finds himself in a hospital aboard the Sprawl and it doesn't take long before the next Necromorph epidemic to breaks out.

What is New?

#1: The Sprawl. From hospitals to residential areas, day cars and Unitology recruitment centers, Dead Space 2 features much more variety than the Ishumara while still retaining thick atmosphere that is felt throughout.
#2: New Necromorphs. The Puker, Pack, Stalkers, and a couple of other miner types are welcomed into the Necro family, giving some very much needed variety.
#3: Weapons. The Detonator, Seeker Rifle, and Javelin gun are new additions to your arsenal.
#4: Action Sequences. Dead Space 2 features some adrenalin pumping moments set throughout the campaign, these scenes are scripted set pieces in between the dismembering.
#5: Amour: Instead of there being one suit there are a few to choose from, giving a different look.
#6: Multiplayer: 4 on 4 team and objective based, competitive MP

The downfalls…

Dead Space 2 is a great sequel however there are a few issues that I had with it.

#1: Dismemberment. The dismemberment was great back in Dead Space 1 however DS2 does not expand on it. There are only 5 areas to dismember and the same tactic can be used on the majority of Necros with effective results. Only one Necro has real consequences for shooting the wrong area.

#2: Necros: Necros are all humanoid, allowing you to use the same dismemberment tactic. The New Necros like the Puker and Pack don't add much variety being they can be handled the same way as any other Necro.

#3: Multiplayer. Either you love it or hate it, the frantic pace does not feel like Dead Space. It is similar to Left 4 Dead just with much less.

#4: Story. The universe of Dead Space is a confusing one. Dead Space 2 seems to contradict with some things in the first game, as well it doesn't give much insight or answer any questions you might have had from the first game.

For the most part Dead Space 2 trumps over Dead Space 1, the story is a tad weak and it takes little risk but it still one of the most entertaining games you'll play. A lengthy campaign with some great art direction and care taken to the atmosphere makes Dead Space 2 a game that every gamer should experience.