Dead Space

Oct. 9, 2007

Lo and behold, EA makers of all things sequel, all things licensed, are set to unleash an original IP on us. So rarely does the behemoth publisher step out from behind its annual release schedule, we were all a little shocked that this bold foray would be so uncharacteristically, well, mature. From what we've seen of Dead Space, a futuristic survival horror game (or a "sci-fi horror" as the devs are aptly calling it) set largely on an infested shipis looking to take full advantage of its intended rating. With its dismally futuristic design, darker-than-dark tone, and calculated bloodletting,Dead Space is makingit a point to scrape the macabre recesses of the adult gamers' psyche.

Above: Isaac Clarke's last ditch effort to fend off a bloodthirsty "Necromorph"

Unprecedented gore aside, the game is also showing some maturity in story telling and execution. The brainchild of a small team of developers scavenged from otherEA franchises, such as James Bond and Lord of the Rings, the men behind the curtain are no strangers to unfolding a compelling, interactive story. But having been freed from the constrictive shackles of a Hollywood license has allowed them to integrate the gameplay with the plot to a much higher, more immersive, degree.