This is the review of the exclusive iOS version of Dead Space.
After thoroughly enjoying the first Dead Space and subsequently terrifying myself further with Dead Space 2 I was fairly sure I was done feeling nauseas and emotionally violated for a while.
And then, out of the blue, Miley Cyrus released her new album.
At the same time though, EA released the eponymous and long awaited iOS version of the Dead Space franchise, and despite having been put through enough trauma recently (see previous paragraph) I decided to further nurture my Dead Space fanboyism and review it.
The first thing I need to mention here in order to hold the attention of dismissive hardcore gamers who believe playing a game on anything less than a 60” screen is completely sacrilegious is that Dead Space iOS (henceforth to be confusingly called DSi) is definitely more than one or two steps ahead from Snake on your old Nokia. In fact, it’s a technical marvel that such a complete experience can be packed into an iPhone or iPod Touch app that allows you the chance to wet yourself somewhere other than in the comfort of your living room.
The first jaw-dropper for me was the level of polish that EA have obviously worked hard for in making DSi feel like it’s really up to par with its console counterparts. A fully interactive main menu looking like it’s been yanked straight off a far more powerful gaming system features a bunch of console-level additions: a store modelled after the in-game one let’s you buy upgrades, an extras menu sports a host of unlockable achievements and wallpapers, and registering the game even unlocks a new suit in the console version of Dead Space 2.
It’s the faithfully recreated gameplay though that makes DSi a title for any serious gamer to consider. Set on yet another Necromorph-infested space station and featuring another unfortunate engineer forced to dismember his way to freedom, DSi takes the basic mechanics of Dead Space and translates them into an entirely similar but platform-friendly mode of play. Your hero, Vandal, is controlled by invisible D-pads, and shooting is done by tapping the screen to whip out your gun and blast away. Vandal can also swipe at baddies with a melee saw weapon, use kinesis and stasis, and do zero-gravity just as well as any Isaac Clarke.
The differences in this version include the lack of health packs (health regenerates slowly over time) and a more modest arsenal, but for the most part DSi looks and feels exactly like a small-screen version of its console brethren. Even the weapon upgrade benches and iconic Necromorphs make an appearance, making you feel like you’re part of the Dead Space universe all the way. I did miss the inner torment of Isaac though which was one of the best aspects of Dead Space 2, but Vandal is three-dimensional enough to be an interesting protagonist while still making you want to save him from being a Necro-snack.
On the hardware side the iPhone’s Retina display is pushed to breaking point with some sick visuals and even sicker blood-splattering and head-exploding effects. Lighting is immersive and character models are impressive, and the environments feel familiar without seeming too copycat. The real technical hero though is the audio, with some minimalistic yet chilling music and effects that really come to life over headphones. Even the voice work is commendable, a comment I never thought I’d be making when reviewing a handheld title.
The biggest draw for me however is simply the amount of love that EA has put into the mobile version of their Dead Space empire. Not only do we have a great game that stands on its own merits regardless of the console games, but the fact that a developer is recognising the way today’s gamers are beginning to expand the way we enjoy our pastime/addiction is a great sign of what’s to come in the future. As long as the mentality behind Dead Space iOS and other brilliant mobile tie-ins continue (GTA:Chinatown Wars is another prime example), us gamers have a hell of a lot to look forward to.
In closing, DSi is a fantastic little app that deserves a space on any discerning gamer’s iOS device. There’s a great story to follow complete with a twist, a well-adapted control mechanic that stays true to the original games, and even a New Game + mode to keep the terrifying alien-eradicating action going for many hours. And, costing a measly $7, it’s a rather cheap alternative to the console games.
Or a box of laxatives.
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