Dead Space Extraction is a story driven rail shooter that manages to stay fresh and exciting up until the very end.
The game's main character is Nathan McNeill, a security officer investigating a weird incident about a miner who, while suffering from extreme delusions, killed his entire team. But this investigation soon takes a back seat to the sudden burst of violent acts all over the colony, that almost immediately transform into a full bloodbath, as the Necromorphs appear and start killing everybody. McNeill and his old friend Weller, another security officer, gather up a small group of survivors and race towards the shuttle-bay, hoping to escape the carnage. Needless to say, the plot twists and turns along the way, offering some truly memorable moments, both story and gameplay-wise, making Dead Space Extraction feel like a real game, and not just a shooting gallery a lot of other rail shooters turn out to be.
Much like every classic rail shooter, most of Extraction's gameplay consists of aiming the Wiimote at the screen and shooting everything that moves. Most of the time the player cannot control the character's movement, but there are some crossroads, where choosing a certain path is available, maybe as a way of encouraging a second playthrough. The game also allows the player to change weapons mid-level (from the 4 weapon layout chosen at the beginning of each level), and collect even more weapons and upgrades as the level progresses. Other than that, every feature available in the original Dead Space is available in Extraction: McNeill can use a telekinetic beam to pick up items and throw objects, he can freeze enemies with a stasis field and every weapon at his disposal has a second, unique, firing mode. Even the strategic dismemberment makes a return, coaxing the player not to aim for the head, but for the limbs, crippling the Necromorphs and rendering them powerless.
As was hinted before, Dead Space Extraction is a very story-driven game, with the gameplay playing a second fiddle to the immersive plot. Characters act and speak in a very believable fashion, and some are really easy to relate to, while others are easy to hate (not because of bad writing, but because they actually feel like bad people). While the plot is a strong incentive to play through multiple levels in sequence, it is unfortunate the game ends so quickly. It could be just a case of "time files when you are having fun" but the game feels a bit too short for its own good, and with little reason to go for it a second time, apart from setting new high score or try out the co-op mode, it can be a deal breaker for some (at least with full retail price).
Now, the game may be short, but at least its presentation makes the trip worthwhile; Dead Space Extraction is a stunning game. Not just by Wii standards, but compared to other consoles as well. While it is true there are not a lot of beautiful environments inside a dreary space colony, Extraction makes even the most normal corridor look ominous and creepy, and some environments (especially the ones outside) are truly breathtaking. Character models are another thing the game does well, in particular their facial animations. They move realistically and can convey real emotion with every expression. Even each specific type of enemy has a few different designs, so it doesn't feel like they repeat themselves too often, not that there's any time to admire them in the middle of all the mayhem. Sound effects are solid, with every gun type having its own unique sound and every character its own unique voice. There isn't any real soundtrack to speak of, with most of the background "music" comprised of environmental sounds and the occasional scream of screech, but it sure helps to keep the tension at a maximum.
So while most rail-shooters only get the essentials right, and never try and build a real story behind the crosshair, Dead Space Extraction is a definite gust of fresh air for the genre, making story as important as (and maybe even more) the gameplay. Anyone who seeks some rail-shooter action on the Wii should definitely get this game (or at least rent it). For fans of the franchise this game is a must; although it seems worlds apart from the original game, Extraction is true to its spirit, and will not disappoint even the most hardcore of fans. Bottom-line is, Dead Space Extraction is probably the best action/shooter game on the Wii to this date, so if you own a Wii, you owe it to yourself to try this game out, if only to extract some value out of your console.