A Game-Changing Revelation: The Essential Ingredient for Dead Space's Remakes

The Dead Space Remake, also known as Dead Space 2023, surpassed all expectations by successfully transforming a 14-year-old title into one of the top survival-horror games on modern consoles. Despite the immense hype and necessary adjustments, EA Motive executed a masterful update that revitalized the series. While some fans hoped for future remakes, others questioned their effectiveness due to the decline in quality between the second and third entries of the original trilogy. Although the Dead Space Remake reignited interest in the series' unique blend of sci-fi horror, its remakes will be in vain if they fail to deliver one crucial outcome.

The Dead Space Remake, referred to as Dead Space 2023, follows the journey of Isaac Clarke as he battles a necromorph outbreak on the USG Ishimura. This title is a complete rebuild of the original Dead Space game, released in 2008, with upgraded visuals, audio, and gameplay systems to cater to today's audience. Alongside these enhancements, the Dead Space Remake introduces subtle modifications to the story and collectible files, aligning the trilogy's narrative and locations for a more cohesive experience. However, this enhanced universe serves little purpose if it does not offer a resolution to the series' established conclusion.

Dead Space's Remakes Need to Lead Somewhere New

After the overwhelmingly positive response to the Dead Space Remake, rumors quickly circulated about a potential Dead Space 2 remake in the works. The original game is widely regarded as the best in the Dead Space trilogy, and EA Motive has shown their ability to successfully update such a highly esteemed title. However, the confirmation of more remakes puts the series in a peculiar position. The original trilogy concluded on a disappointingly lackluster note with Dead Space 3, which abruptly brought the franchise to a close.

In 2023, the Dead Space Remake has already implemented a series of changes to its main characters and overall storyline. Some of these alterations, such as new or enhanced audio logs, have a minor impact on the series as a whole. However, there are others that significantly affect Isaac's story and characterization. For instance, Isaac now has the ability to speak in the Dead Space Remake, allowing for a better portrayal of his thoughts and emotions aboard the Ishimura. Additionally, the remake introduces the idea that the Marker leads Isaac to believe that Dr. Cross is actually Nicole, whereas in the original game, Nicole appeared solely as a vivid hallucination. These updates provide the Dead Space Remake with a more intricate and impactful narrative, setting the stage for later installments to build upon.

Nevertheless, if EA Motive's revamped trilogy fails to lead to a new game or an entirely different conclusion, the Dead Space remakes, despite their many improvements, will ultimately serve no real purpose.

The Dead Space Remake Offers Two Distinct Opportunities

The Dead Space Remake has the potential to follow in the footsteps of the successful Resident Evil 2 Remake, creating a new and bold direction for the series. This could result in a reboot of the series through a trilogy of remakes, with changes made to the first and second games to ensure that a potential Dead Space 3 remake stays true to the survival horror genre. Such a strategy would pave the way for a revitalized future, culminating in the highly anticipated Dead Space 4.

Alternatively, the success of the Dead Space Remake may lead EA Motive to skip the trilogy remakes altogether and focus directly on Dead Space 4. Fans of the series have been eagerly awaiting a fourth installment, despite their disappointment with Dead Space 3. If building upon Dead Space 3 proves too challenging, EA Motive could adopt a similar approach to the movie industry, which often disregards certain sequels and creates new continuities. Just like Halloween 2018 and the upcoming The Exorcist: Believer, which serve as sequels to their first films while ignoring the subsequent entries, this approach could create a fresh start for the Dead Space series. Regardless of the path chosen for the next entry in the series, fans remain hopeful that the quality of the Dead Space Remake will carry forward.

Dead Space is available now on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.