Quick review: Dead Space 3

As always, time flies and more and more games come out. And again, I've fallen behind! BUT I am determined to do at least a short review of Dead Space 3 and Starcraft 2: Heart of the Swarm before continuing on. So first up, Dead Space 3!

To begin with, I think I have decided this is not my favorite of the Dead Space series. Don't get me wrong, it still scared the hell out of me and I enjoyed every bit of it. But this piece of the series is definitely different from the previous two games, as many other reviewers have mentioned. 
The story once again follows Isaac Clarke, the main protagonist from the previous Dead Space games. You guide him as you escape from a human world being taken over by the Unitologists and make your way to a frozen world called Tau Volantis, the planet from the Dead Space 3 demo and the location which is believed to be where the whole Necromorph and Marker phenomenon began. All the while, you're trying to find the truth about all the horrors Isaac has been through and what has become of Ellie, a character that Isaac befriends in Dead Space 2.

The combat system remains about the same with the exception of the ability to hide behind cover. It is particularly useful when you face off against other humans shooting or throwing grenades at you. Not much use against Necromorphs though as they prefer to melee attack.

A Feeder Necromorph.

 There are a few new Necromorph enemies including the Feeders, a creepily skinny human skeletal creature that makes a high pitched noise and moves very fast. Speeder and I both were incredibly freaked out by these Necromorphs and although there is a strategy on how to get by them without having them swarm, more often then not, you are going to come out of the battle bruised and in need of a health pack. This game has also brought back the Necromorph variety known as Twitchers. These are the fast-moving stasis-using Necromorphs that can zoom up to you in a heart beat lest you slow them with your own stasis unit. Although I remember these enemies from Dead Space 1, I had forgotten just how much trouble they could be. Half the time, their quick approach to me would psyche me out, and I would miss them with my stasis multiple times. Although most of the other Necromorph enemies are the same as the previous two games, there are still a few surprises. They are still definitely disturbing and deadly.
The character graphics and environments are still well put together and beautiful. Dead Space has never really disappointed me with the graphical elements. The lighting is perfectly utilized to frighten you and make you search every corner for enemies and supplies. Likewise, the sounds that go along with these environments create the scene. There are lots of ambient sounds that create a feeling of dread and fear, such as something rattling around in the walls or a metal object falling and clanging to the floor in the distance. And the enemies themselves also have recognizable sounds that are utilized to not only warn you of their approach but also shake your nerves and make it harder for you to focus on your task.

Now for the parts I did not like as much. As I had feared, the gun crafting system confused me. Maybe it's because I was used to have a set way to upgrade a set amount of weapons as you did in the previous games. Or maybe I just didn't spend enough time tinkering with it, though I feel as though I logged a decent amount of time. The point is that Speeder and I both found that there were really only a few guns that we used, and we used them for most of the game. I can understand the developers wanting to branch out from the norm as a game series goes on, but I just feel like the weapon crafting was made unwieldy by how much variation was allowed. Sometimes less is more.
Like many reviewers, I was also a little disappointed with the game's deviation from the original survival horror feeling. I had read that the game developers wanted to present a little more action mixed in with the horror to appeal to a wider audience. While I can understand this move, I definitely think it ultimately took away from the game. It also served to alienate a lot of the fans who love the Dead Space series for it's excellence as a survival horror series. There are parts in the game that just get to be a little to action movie and not enough haunted house. But I still liked the game very much and the weapons crafting and more-action didn't ruin it for me.

All in all, Dead Space 3 is a good addition to the Dead Space series and mythos. While it doesn't have quite as much of a survival horror feel as the previous two games, it still has plenty of scares and tense moments that will make you leave the lights on while you play it. And maybe when you try to go to bed.