Dead Space 1/2, worth it?

[Tilted_Logic]

Hey all! Dead Space 1/2 are on sale presently on Steam for 5$ each, and I'm interested in getting some opinions on the games.

I love shooters, and most definitely science fiction, however I'm not generally a fan of horror style games; I will say I completed Amnesia, but I struggled a lot at pushing past the parts with monster encounters (the water demon will forever haunt me). I don't know much about the Dead Space series beyond the jist of the plot and the style of game. I've heard the horror is very tense and suspenseful, as you're always on edge waiting for something to jump out at you; is that accurate, or does it simply get to a point where necromorphs are consistently appearing to the point of apathy?

Anyway, does anyone have some insight on whether this is a decent shooter? Is the plot any good, or is it really just about the satisfaction of completing it?

I've heard good things about it, I'd just like to know whether it'd be a worthwhile purchase for someone like me who generally avoids scares and horror, or if it'd end up gathering dust and I'll be rocking back and forth on the floor.

 

[Johnny Novgorod]

Never played either. I think the first game was the most horror-oriented, the second game not so much. Third game is just ridiculously action-packed and from the LP's I've seen it's not even trying to be a horror game. Anyways the first couple looked like fun, I doubt they're very scary beyond a few scare jumps and chords and that kind of thing.

 

[Chimpzy_v1legacy]

Well, out of the three main games, Dead Space 1 is the most horror-focused, while Dead Space 3 is the biggest on action, with the second one being somewhere in the middle. So, as someone who's not all that much into horror, you might want to go with the second game.

Though I must say none of them are as scary as Amnesia. There are some truly effective scares, especially early on in the first game, but for the most part it relies a little too heavily on jump scares and monster closets. And by the end of the game those largely lose their effect because by then you'll have learned to see them coming from miles away.

By the way, have you by any chance played Resident Evil 4? If the answer is yes and you enjoyed that game, you'll like Dead Space's gameplay.

 

[shrekfan246]

Think of it like the Alien franchise, where Dead Space directly parallels Alien and Dead Space 2 indirectly parallels Aliens. If you've never seen the Alien films, then I guess I'll have to expand further.

The first one is the most creepy, especially if you really crank down the brightness (because you won't be able to see down the bloody hallwats). The second one gives you a lot more NPC interaction, a lot brighter and more colorful areas, and has much more action.

In the first game, most of the necromorph spawn locations are very calculated and deliberate. Some are quite predictable (another "dead" corpse, I'd better shoot it before I walk up to it; Oh boy, another vent in an area with a quest progression item), but it definitely holds the guise of being a survival-horror game.

Dead Space 2 has quite a few more necromorphs. It still holds pretensions of being a survival-horror game, but overall except for a segment where you return to the ship from the first game, there isn't quite anything that sticks out with the same level of creepy atmosphere.

A word of warning if you end up getting them though, the first Dead Space has fucking horrid mouse aiming. As in, you might as well just use a controller because you're never going to get as much sensitivity as you'd like out of the mouse.

 

[skywolfblue]

I'd highly recommend them!

It's not scary as in nightmare or "horror". It's just tension that builds up as you're expecting and waiting for the next monster to break out of the vents. I'd say it's safe to play even if you don't like horror games.

The gameplay is superb, there are fantastic guns and the dismemberment system rewards you for being accurate and using them where appropriate.

The plot is actually pretty good, it's not without it's flaws and gaping plotholes, but there are some interesting things to think on as you move through the game. The first one is a little dull because Isaac doesn't talk and he really should. I'd say 2 has the best story, with Isaac having to deal with hallucinations of his dead girlfriend, and and really has excellent body language and vocal acting and such as he struggles with the emotional torment. The third has some pretty stupid story parts, but it makes up for it to me in other ways.

 

[Zeh Don]

Dead Space and it's sequel are terrific games, with Dead Space 2 being one of my personal favourite games of all time. Just avoid the third one, and you'll do fine!

 

[porous_shield]

Dead Space 1, like others have said, is more horror oriented but it's still not in the same league as Amnesia while the second game is far more action oriented. I love science fiction and enjoyed both games immensely. however, I liked the look, feel, and atmosphere of the first game compared to the second.

 

[Tilted_Logic]

Thanks guys! I'll definitely give them a go.

Think of it like the Alien franchise, where Dead Space directly parallels Alien and Dead Space 2 indirectly parallels Aliens. If you've never seen the Alien films, then I guess I'll have to expand further.

The first one is the most creepy, especially if you really crank down the brightness (because you won't be able to see down the bloody hallwats). The second one gives you a lot more NPC interaction, a lot brighter and more colorful areas, and has much more action.

In the first game, most of the necromorph spawn locations are very calculated and deliberate. Some are quite predictable (another "dead" corpse, I'd better shoot it before I walk up to it; Oh boy, another vent in an area with a quest progression item), but it definitely holds the guise of being a survival-horror game.

Dead Space 2 has quite a few more necromorphs. It still holds pretensions of being a survival-horror game, but overall except for a segment where you return to the ship from the first game, there isn't quite anything that sticks out with the same level of creepy atmosphere.

A word of warning if you end up getting them though, the first Dead Space has fucking horrid mouse aiming. As in, you might as well just use a controller because you're never going to get as much sensitivity as you'd like out of the mouse.

Thank you for the comparison to Alien(s), sounds like I'm in for a ride.. Although I dread the sound of horrid mouse aiming hah.

 

[ScrabbitRabbit]

A word of warning if you end up getting them though, the first Dead Space has fucking horrid mouse aiming. As in, you might as well just use a controller because you're never going to get as much sensitivity as you'd like out of the mouse.

There's a fix for this on Nvidia cards. I think you have to have Vsync off in game and forced in the Nvidia control panel. I didn't have any issues with the mouse aiming the first time I played, as this was my default set-up. When I went back to it, I saw what everyone was complaining about.

 

[shrekfan246]

A word of warning if you end up getting them though, the first Dead Space has fucking horrid mouse aiming. As in, you might as well just use a controller because you're never going to get as much sensitivity as you'd like out of the mouse.

There's a fix for this on Nvidia cards. I think you have to have Vsync off in game and forced in the Nvidia control panel. I didn't have any issues with the mouse aiming the first time I played, as this was my default set-up. When I went back to it, I saw what everyone was complaining about.

Ah, well, I have an ATI card, so the same didn't work for me. XD

Thank you for the comparison to Alien(s), sounds like I'm in for a ride.. Although I dread the sound of horrid mouse aiming hah.

If you've got an Nvidia graphics card, you might try what Scrabbit said to see if that helps whenever you get around to playing. Otherwise, I really would recommend an Xbox or PS3 controller (or dedicated PC gamepad) if you've got one. Mouse aiming in Dead Space 2 is far better though.

 

[Savo]

Both games are fantastic. DS1 is a great example of a horror-action game, whereas DS2 is simply one of the best action games to come out in years. Both are really fun in their own way, and the atmosphere in them is hard to beat.

Also, giving you a heads-up, you can buy both of the Dead Space games for 7.99 on Amazon right now. It's only two bucks, but still, money's money.

 

[PFCboom]

First one is good, but very, very little is explained. Scary? Startling, certainly. It didn't take long before I would enter a room and think "Oh goody, another *&^%ing monster arena." And sure enough, after picking up the item that gets me into the next area, monsters swarm in and I kill a bunch. Woooooo.
Still really good, but I can't help feeling it's not quiiiite as good as it could've been. Fortunately, there was the sequel.

Dead Space 2. *&^% yeah. Real character interactions, monsters are varied and creepy, I felt like I was making some kind of progress as I moved through all the different areas. In the first, I was... meh. DS2, I became Space Bad-Ass. Was it scary? Well, there were plenty of times I felt some real tension, surely. Still mostly startles, but the atmosphere of some of the areas were creepy enough that when I finally DID get attacked, I found myself backing up and looking over my shoulder for threats from behind.

I recommend getting both, because they're so cheap. But if you wanted to save a few bucks, I think skipping straight to DS2 would be alright.

 

[barbzilla]

Hey all! Dead Space 1/2 are on sale presently on Steam for 5$ each, and I'm interested in getting some opinions on the games.

I love shooters, and most definitely science fiction, however I'm not generally a fan of horror style games; I will say I completed Amnesia, but I struggled a lot at pushing past the parts with monster encounters (the water demon will forever haunt me). I don't know much about the Dead Space series beyond the jist of the plot and the style of game. I've heard the horror is very tense and suspenseful, as you're always on edge waiting for something to jump out at you; is that accurate, or does it simply get to a point where necromorphs are consistently appearing to the point of apathy?

Anyway, does anyone have some insight on whether this is a decent shooter? Is the plot any good, or is it really just about the satisfaction of completing it?

I've heard good things about it, I'd just like to know whether it'd be a worthwhile purchase for someone like me who generally avoids scares and horror, or if it'd end up gathering dust and I'll be rocking back and forth on the floor.

In my opinion, I would say go for one, if you really like it then try 2/3. One is probably the best of the series as far as story and environment goes. The combat is basically the same in all three games (with a slight leaning towards more action in 3), so I wouldn't worry so much about that aspect. Since one and two are the cheapest of the bunch, I would say pick up one, give it 5-10 hours (or however much time you can allot to it before the sale runs out) and if you really enjoy it at that point, go ahead and pick up 2. If you still really love the series then pick up 3 after it comes down to $20 or so.

Quick Edit: As for the horror in the game, it is mostly just gore and jump scares. It is nothing like amnesia where you feel helpless. Since you are a one man engineering badass, the games tension devolves pretty quickly. I estimate the average gamer probably jumped 3-5 times at most in Deadspace.

 

[ShinyCharizard]

I didn't like em all that much but they are still solid games and certainly worth the $10.

 

[Ratties]

Don't let people tell you that they are not scary. Almost any time the topic of Dead Space comes up, people scream the same thing. "Jump scares, jump scares, thats all there is." Really more to it than that. Made good locations it that are pretty scary at times. Alot of the monsters are just walking around. Know there are jump scares, there are also rooms filled with wandering foes. Know I like the fact that it feels like you are in an Aliens movie. It might have action, the first two games are better than anything I have seen in the horror category in a awhile. The Amnesia game always comes up, it's as predictable as Dead Space is. A fun game, you will like it. Need to go into the game with the mindset that you are fighting Mindless Aliens that want to rip your face off, not intelligent creatures.(Nerds seem to be forgetting that fact.)

 

[pearcinator]

I love the first 2 Dead Space games (haven't played the 3rd one though) and they aren't as scary as Amnesia (imagines Amnesia with Oculus Rift...pretty sure I would shit myself) but mainly because you have a weapon to fight back with.

The scariest part of both Dead Space games are the start where you don't have a weapon and just have to run.

 

[leeprice133]

Hey all! Dead Space 1/2 are on sale presently on Steam for 5$ each, and I'm interested in getting some opinions on the games.

I love shooters, and most definitely science fiction, however I'm not generally a fan of horror style games; I will say I completed Amnesia, but I struggled a lot at pushing past the parts with monster encounters (the water demon will forever haunt me). I don't know much about the Dead Space series beyond the jist of the plot and the style of game. I've heard the horror is very tense and suspenseful, as you're always on edge waiting for something to jump out at you; is that accurate, or does it simply get to a point where necromorphs are consistently appearing to the point of apathy?

Anyway, does anyone have some insight on whether this is a decent shooter? Is the plot any good, or is it really just about the satisfaction of completing it?

I've heard good things about it, I'd just like to know whether it'd be a worthwhile purchase for someone like me who generally avoids scares and horror, or if it'd end up gathering dust and I'll be rocking back and forth on the floor.

Ar that price I'd definitely say their worth it. They are pretty jump-scare centric, but they probably the most well-crafted jump-scares I've seen in any game. The first game, in particular, also nails the atmosphere, feeling claustrophobic in the same way that Alien does for me, as well as throwing in a little bit of Event Horizon-y unpleasantness.