The Undisputed Future of Horror: Dead Space vs Resident Evil

Highlights

Dead Space revolutionized the horror genre with its unique setting and brutal combat, making it a memorable experience.

The game plunges players into a terrifying experience, compelling them to strategically dismember adversaries and embrace brutality in order to stay alive.

Dead Space's puzzles are seamlessly woven into the game's immersive world, enhancing the cohesive experience alongside the protagonist's mechanical expertise and the game's chilling atmosphere.

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Dead Space holds a legendary status in the gaming world. Originally released in 2008, this game was a massive success in the horror genre and spawned several sequels. The recent remake, which was heavily inspired by Resident Evil 4, also received widespread acclaim. While RE4 maintained many of the traditional survival horror elements, Dead Space embraced a more intense and violent action-packed gameplay. Resident Evil, known as the pinnacle of horror franchises in gaming, has been a great source of inspiration for many outstanding titles. However, it is now time for Dead Space to serve as the blueprint for future horror games.

When Dead Space was first released, it was a game that stood out from the rest. While Resident Evil 4 introduced the ability to dismember enemies, Dead Space took it to a whole new level. Removing opponents' limbs strategically became a crucial part of gameplay. The game's setting in the shadowy depths of the USG Ishimura spacecraft adds to its uniqueness. The combination of this distinct setting, gripping storytelling, and gruesome violence provided players with an unforgettable experience. Dead Space is saturated with a sense of dread and impending doom, setting it apart from the current trends in the horror genre.

Dead Space Makes The Player A Part Of The Horror

In Dead Space, upon finding their first weapon, the plasma cutter, players are greeted with a blood-written message on the wall that reads, "cut off their limbs." This initial encounter teaches players that shooting the Necromorphs in the head is ineffective, and instead, they must dismember them. From the very start, combat in Dead Space is truly horrifying, requiring players to embrace brutality in order to survive. While other games such as Resident Evil reward headshots for quick kills, Dead Space compels players to fight as grotesquely as the monsters they face.

Isaac Clarke, the once-silent protagonist in Dead Space, finds himself surrounded by doom, not only from the menacing creatures but also due to the history of the USG Ishimura. Before being infested by Necromorphs, this mining vessel had a reputation for destroying planets. As Isaac arrives, the ship lay in ruins, and he witnesses the merciless death of his entire team. This overwhelming sense of dread grows as players continue to explore the ship. The space setting allows for unique moments of zero gravity movement, adding to the genre's distinctive elements. Brief ventures outside the Ishimura serve to highlight the profound isolation that Isaac and the player experience within the ship. This combined feeling of isolation and the game's brutal combat mechanics contribute to an overwhelming sense of hopelessness.

Dead Space Changed Survival Horror Puzzles

Dead Space surpasses Resident Evil in its environmental design, immersive combat, and particularly, its outstanding puzzles. Unlike the abstract and game-like puzzles found in Resident Evil, Dead Space offers a more realistic and believable experience by incorporating circuit repairs and machinery usage. Since the protagonist, Isaac, is a skilled mechanic, these puzzles seamlessly fit into the game's world, adding to the thematic cohesion shared with his collection of ingenious weapons. Additionally, the game introduces elements such as time manipulation and zero gravity, which further enhance the tactile and contextually appropriate nature of puzzle solving in Dead Space.

What truly sets Dead Space apart as a modern masterpiece is its remarkable cohesion. Isaac's mechanical background is evident in his weaponry, tools, and combat style. While the Resident Evil 4 Remake boasts upgraded dismemberment mechanics and the ability to shoot while moving, Dead Space's fast-paced and unrelenting approach to horror continues to shine, even after more than a decade since its release. As one of the best horror games of 2023, the remake serves as a testament to the impact of Dead Space and its unique contribution to the genre. It is high time for other games to draw inspiration from Dead Space's innovative approach, just as the Resident Evil 4 Remake has successfully done.

Dead Space is out now for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.