Dead Space: Extraction passed me, since I never owned my Wii for long when it was released before selling it for an Xbox 360. Since then I now own a PS4 and a PS3, and so when I bought Dead Space 2 pre-owned I was surprised to find that Extraction was included on the very same disk, and had been up-scaled and it's controls upgraded for the PS3 version.
So I installed Extraction from the disk to the console, and gave it a try. I found it quite fun, enjoyable and much smoother than what I would have expected from a Wii port of a game. I found the plot and story interesting as a fan of the Dead Space franchise, being set during the events of Dead Space: Downfall, the animation film set before the events of the first game in the series. Events and myth spoken about and referred to in the original game, about the Ishimura and what happened on Aegis VII during the Necromorph infestation that hit the planet.
This story is played out in a first-person rail shooter design, collecting ammunition along the way as well as logs, and shooting your way through enemies to complete set tasks, as you and other survivors try and flee the planet.
Graphically, since I have not played the original Wii port, I do know this version is enhanced with visuals and effects so I have no gripes, it's both beautiful and quite alluring with it's gritty effects.
In terms of gameplay, Extraction is simple to get used to with the ability to pick up items laying around, by putting the aiming cursor onto it, and pressing the X button, and then firing your weapon is simple with R1, and it's alternative firing mode being accessed with the R2 button. Switching weapons as you find new guns, is simple simply pressing the D-Pad, and selecting your weapon. The gameplay of Extraction is simple, as it should be; nothing that requires too much focus, and is easy to jump in and remember the controls easily enough.
The Good:
- A very simple, yet deep prequel to the Dead Space franchise with references to many groups, and such from the franchise's set history.
- Simple controls, using the analog sticks to strafe the aiming cursor is simple and elegant, especially when sensitivity options are edited to your liking. You do not need a light-gun for Extraction, which is a god send since they are quite rare to get a hold of one.
- Graphically and visually, Extraction looks great from once being a Wii port, enhanced for the PS3.
The Bad:
- Lack of interaction, other than shooting enemies, collecting items and collectibles and opening doors and such.
Dead Space: Extraction by it's own merit is a great game, either on the PS3 or Wii with the only difference being updated visuals and graphics. It's well worth buying for fans of the franchise who would not mind playing the game, from another perspective other than the classic third-person perspective from the past games in the series. I would recommend it to anyone who is also a fan of rail shooters alone. Well worth picking up for cheap either on the Wii, or buy Dead Space 2 pre-owned with the game included, or download it on the PSN in general.