Remastered versions or remakes of old games have become quite fashionable in recent years. For the developers, especially with remaster titles, this is often just a method to fill old wine into more or less new bottles and generate income again. Things are a bit different with remakes, where the game is usually rebuilt from scratch and provided with all sorts of state-of-the-art elements. Examples of remakes that I personally found great are the “new” “Demon Souls” on the PS5 (here is my test) or the Definitive Edition of “Mafia”. After I recently wrote down my opinion on the great-looking but technically not really good “The Callisto Protocol” here and mentioned there that I’m really looking forward to the remake of “Dead Space”, I’m now back in to cast the role of Isaac Clarke.
At this point a small disclaimer. I am biased. For me, the “Dead Space” titles are among the best horror games of the last few decades, I’ve already played all three. But let’s get to the remake and then I won’t let you spoiler the conclusion. The new version boils down “The Callisto Protocol” in almost all points. Only visually “The Callisto Protocol” is superior in a few points. I read that the PC version also struggles with shader compilation stutter. You won’t find anything here in the test, because I’m using the Xbox version on the Series X and the game runs very well there.
But let’s start from the beginning. “Dead Space” was released in 2008 and takes you on a journey through the USG Ishimura. This is a huge mining ship that is abandoned and not quite up to par. You are Isaac Clarke, an engineer tasked with restoring the Ishimura. Now you realize relatively quickly that the ship is almost completely deserted. There are some survivors, but sooner or later they will be transformed into Necromorphs or cut into their components.
Anyone who played the game back then will feel right at home in this version. I took a look back at the Xbox 360 version and found that the version still looks relatively good today. Of course, the remake is no comparison at all, because in my opinion the developer Motive Studio has done a great job here.
The character models are very detailed, as are the textures. The lighting and the effects provide the necessary dark atmosphere and the sound accompanies the scenario just as well. That suits me completely and with headphones you have the desire to jump up from the sofa and look around at every noise. If that’s not the case, then you twirl the joysticks wildly to aim the crosshairs at any critters lurking in hidden corners. So it happens that, despite all caution, a Necromorph still lays a hand or sting or tentacle or whatever on you, startles you and gradually separates parts of your adversary. If you’re lucky, you’ll discover a few credits or ammunition, stomp them for more gore and, in the best case, get a drop.
Motive hasn’t really changed much: rooms almost look and play like a much more detailed 1:1 copy. Which I think is great, because why throw away something that is very good or tried and tested to try something new? By the way: Isaac now has a vote! He didn’t have that in the old version, so he was quietly on the move. Now he speaks – if not very much.
Another difference is being able to move freely in areas without gravity. That didn’t work in the original either. But I didn’t even notice that. All the new is there, but you have the latent feeling that it would have been like that in the original. In terms of weapons, you have the same arsenal at your disposal as in the 2008 game. Those who played the title back then know what that means. In short: You can do all sorts of practical jokes with the Necromorphs if you have the right weapon ready. You can gradually get rid of the beasts’ extremities and they won’t stop pouncing on you. I’m on the “Normal” difficulty mode, in which you can still enjoy the story without getting frustrated.
By collecting credits, you can purchase nodes in the store to upgrade your equipment. There are also suit levels, schemes and much more. I don’t want to reveal too much to you on purpose.
As already revealed above, the remake turns an already very good game into an even better one and will appeal to horror fans. You played the game back then and are unsure if you need the remake? Take a look, even if there’s little new story-wise. But Motive packs the whole thing in such a great new and atmospheric dress that you pay money for cozy goosebumps here. Absolute recommendation.
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