EA Motive has gained the favor of many survival horror fans with theDead Spaceremake, leading some to believe that the IP has a bright future ahead of itself. A lot can be said about the quality of theDead Spaceremake, from the game’s seamless structure to its faithful reimagining of the starship USG Ishimura. But arguably, the largest overhaul is how series lead Isaac Clarke is now voiced from the start, and his participation in the original storyline feels much more fleshed out. As the character becomes clearly defined in the remake, the franchise should continue with his struggles - internal and external - against the Necromorphs.
Much of what makesDead Spacemysterious is the concept of the Markers. In the latest entry, gamers experienced the terror and chaos that just one Marker wrought aboard the Ishimura. Isaac Clarke barely survives the brutish Necromorph horde, but his sanity also suffers in equal measure. Transmitting a signal that infects both body and mind, the true purpose of the Markers remains largely unknown by the time ofDead Space 2. However, amidrumors that aDead Space 2remake is possible, EA Motive might be well-equipped to portray the Markers' psychological effects in a future installment.
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Following the events of the originalDead Space, Isaac is transported to the Sprawl - an urban space station built across the last fragments of Saturn’s moon Titan.Dead Space 2reintroduces Isaac as a mental patient, seemingly rescued after being stranded near the Aegis VII mining colony. It is revealed that he now suffers a rare form of dementia, just before another Necromorph outbreak occurs on the station itself. Apart from the sequel’s heightened stakes, atmospheric tension takes on a larger emphasis as Isaac resists succumbing to his condition. Psychological horror is a thematicsetup for a sequel to theDead Spaceremake, and it is something that can be furthered through gameplay.
Isaac is pulled in several directions during 2011’sDead Space 2, with EarthGov, Unitology, and Necromorphs all posing a threat to his very survival. Yet, his trauma puts players in a most vulnerable position when his own perspective becomes that of anunreliable in-game narrator. Subject to hallucinations, delusions, and other uncontrolled behaviors, the psychological damage stemming from the Marker plays a major role in the story. Isaac is emotionally compromised, which makes him a complex protagonist, but the series should have moments where players question their sense of perception.
A remake ofDead Space 2doesn’t have to lean into expected, cinematic set pieces. Alternatively, EA Motive could create an unnerving atmosphere that reflects Isaac’s mental decline. It is a dark topic that deserves proper respect but is essential in conveying a believable human center in the experience. Against all odds, Isaac Clarke endures the anguish of loss whilst confronting the Sprawl’s mutated monstrosities, and the team should make this sequel personal if it’s really under consideration. Many spoke highly of theDead Spaceremake’s Intensity Director, so EA Motive may apply its technology differently here - keeping gamers on edge by integrating even more anomalies or illusions within the environment.
Some of thebest horror games don’t have jump scares, and the Markers are entities in theDead Spacesetting which transcend simple monster closets. A remake ofDead Space 2has a chance to advance psychological horror in video games, presenting a deeply immersive premise for those invested in the engineered odyssey of Isaac Clarke.
Dead Spaceis available now for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
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