Remakes can often get a bad rap, with some seen as petty cash grabs. Others make sweeping changes to bring the original game into the modern day with fresh ideas and mechanics, but at the same time paying enough reverence to the source material so as not to upset original fans.
Capcom's Resident Evil 2 remake is considered a pinnacle of the latter and what can be achieved – completely modernising the experience, delving deeper into the story, and fleshing out its characters, all while maintaining the spirit of its original release.
That upgrade was such a huge leap, you'd be forgiven for thinking the Dead Space remake is nothing more than a light reskin by comparison, at least on first glance.
But after hours of severing Necromorph limbs in wilder and more unique ways as we explored every inch of the USG Ishimura, we can say without a doubt this remake is easily on par with that of Capcom's and an absolute masterclass in survival horror.
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The fact that the upgrade initially doesn't seem so huge is a testament to how bloody well the original release of Dead Space has stood the test of time. It's not often a 15-year-old game can be played today on modern consoles and still be as iconic and terrifying as it was on day one.
The remake looks gorgeous, in a rather subtle way. It looks how that nostalgic part of your brains thinks the original did, though on closer inspection and comparing the two releases, you can see all the modern trappings that make for a deeply engaging visual experience.
Character models are simply better and the creepy, dilapidated and blood-soaked corridors of the USG Ishimura have never looked so good. Dripping in viscera, detail and atmosphere, even the most mundane sections of the ship are enticing.
Sound design, as ever, plays such a huge part in the tension and terror of Dead Space – and here, it just sings.
As you explore the good ship Ishimura, you'll constantly hear subtle scuttling in the walls, machinery sputtering to life or giving up the fight, and even Isaac's own heartbeat pounding away, blending into the cacophony of unsettling sounds and making even the shortest walk from room to room feel like a test of your mettle – and that's if enemies don't suddenly jump out of the shadows to tear at your flesh.
Beyond the aesthetic changes, EA Motive has really expanded the overall narrative experience of Dead Space and given much more context to each of its characters.
No longer is Isaac Clarke the stoic silent protagonist. He's vocal from the start, just as he was in the later sequels, but instead of the rather predictable quip machine we tend to expect from movies and games as of late, Isaac is a more tempered everyman engineer who just wants to find his girlfriend and survive the journey.
Hammond and Kendra have also been expanded, with Kendra here becoming a much more likeable character and ally.
Perhaps the biggest narrative development, though, is how Unitology and the wider threat of the Church has been much more cleverly weaved into the game's story from the start, so their involvement makes more sense as the story unfolds in the remake – with Dr Mercer playing a fully-formed villain we loved to hate.
A mechanic adapted from the third Dead Space game, sidequests are back and offer some deeper insight into Nicole's experience on the USG Ishimura and exactly what caused this disaster in the first place. You'll find yourself backtracking rather naturally, with certain doors and storage containers locked by security clearances you'll upgrade through as the game goes on.
It's another subtle change that somehow makes the Ishimura feel so much larger than it did before.
Necromorphs are as deeply terrifying as ever, with their appearance and tenacity never easy to second-guess, keeping you on your toes every time you enter a room or pause to check your inventory.
New technology behind the scenes allows for a new flesh-layering system which really ups the ante with the game's body horror nightmares. Each shot you take strips the flesh from their bones, opening up opportunities to tear their limbs off completely and re-use as weapons – it's equal parts gruesome and ingenious.
We won't delve into everything available in Isaac's arsenal, but should you happen upon the Force Gun, you'll have the chance to strip their flesh in one smooth motion like something from a Ren & Stimpy clip.
All in all, the Dead Space remake is a masterful execution of both survival horror and remakes in general. Walking the tightrope between new and old, it's clear that the team at EA Motive has put so much care and attention into retooling this survival horror classic and breathed new life into its aching bones – which is rather fitting, for a horror story rooted in transformation and rebirth.
If you're new to the series, it's an absolute must to experience this wholly unique game, and thankfully there's more than enough excuse for older fans to step foot once more onto the USG Ishimura.
Now, let's just pray to Altman that EA Motive makes us whole again and get to work on a sequel!
Platform reviewed on: Xbox Series X
