Dead Space (2008)

 PC
User Score
8.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1937 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,578 out of 1937
  2. Mixed: 243 out of 1937
  3. Negative: 116 out of 1937
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  1. hcookie
    May 16, 2011
    10
    Picked this up recently during a Steam Sale. Was wondering what the hype was all about for Dead Space 2. I now know. Dead Space is an incredible game, great storyline and probably the best fiver I spent on a game which is about three years old. As good as that first feeling you got when playing the first Resident Evil, though that's a poor comparison. Dead Space sucks you into it's madnessPicked this up recently during a Steam Sale. Was wondering what the hype was all about for Dead Space 2. I now know. Dead Space is an incredible game, great storyline and probably the best fiver I spent on a game which is about three years old. As good as that first feeling you got when playing the first Resident Evil, though that's a poor comparison. Dead Space sucks you into it's madness and chaos, leaving you gasping for a breather. Definitely going to grab Dead Space 2.… Expand
  2. nomorefate
    Nov 3, 2020
    10
    This is my ranking:
    Graphics: 10 / 10 (for 2008)
    Story: 8 / 10
    spaceship design: 10 / 10
    Bosses : 8 / 10
    Atmosphere: 9 / 10
    PC Performance: 11 / 10.
  3. ShawnD
    Jun 9, 2009
    9
    Once I had the controls down, I actually had a lot of fun with this game. The fighting system is a lot like Resident Evil where your #1 goal is to not be touched at all. The game is also a bit like Bioshock where you buy ammo and med kits, and instead of plasmids you can customize your guns and stuff. It's not a scary game, but it's done in such a way that you'll find Once I had the controls down, I actually had a lot of fun with this game. The fighting system is a lot like Resident Evil where your #1 goal is to not be touched at all. The game is also a bit like Bioshock where you buy ammo and med kits, and instead of plasmids you can customize your guns and stuff. It's not a scary game, but it's done in such a way that you'll find yourself looking around the room before you enter and sprinting to the corner so nothing is behind you.… Expand
  4. Dead_Space
    Nov 23, 2020
    10
    One of the most brilliant Horror Games ever made. It's in same boat with Silent Hill and Resident Evil series. Would love to see remaster of Dead Space 1.
  5. NeverBackDown
    Nov 11, 2020
    10
    This horror masterpiece needs remaster as soon as possible. This amazing game can't be forgotten. If RE4 can get Remake, then Dead Space at least deserves remaster.
  6. FelixL
    Oct 11, 2009
    10
    Scary, damn scary. Well designed game. Yea. Just scary. Worth buying. Yea, I like it, sound is simply awsome, and visuals are what you'd expect. The over the shoulder thing is just a part of the game play. They've made it work really well, the menu interface and interaction is novel and works well with the overall them. Did I mention it's scary, if you like the horror Scary, damn scary. Well designed game. Yea. Just scary. Worth buying. Yea, I like it, sound is simply awsome, and visuals are what you'd expect. The over the shoulder thing is just a part of the game play. They've made it work really well, the menu interface and interaction is novel and works well with the overall them. Did I mention it's scary, if you like the horror games, this is a must for your collection.… Expand
  7. MarcoF
    Jun 13, 2009
    10
    This amazing Horror-Science fiction action packed adventure takes you out of dull crap games and adds meaning too HORROR! If your bored or just plain scared i recommend this game. At first i thought i was going to be laughing in the game(actually putting me that i am 17) and giving this review a 6-7 i was wrong it has an amazing story line with an ending to shock your mind. here is my This amazing Horror-Science fiction action packed adventure takes you out of dull crap games and adds meaning too HORROR! If your bored or just plain scared i recommend this game. At first i thought i was going to be laughing in the game(actually putting me that i am 17) and giving this review a 6-7 i was wrong it has an amazing story line with an ending to shock your mind. here is my email(pls forget that my user name on email is my high school email address so forget the name).… Expand
  8. MicheleM.
    Dec 15, 2009
    9
    Outstanding and terrific game. Great graphics, great storyline. Controls and visibility can sometimes be improved but ithis s a really minor point in such a great and innovative game.
  9. EricL
    Feb 18, 2009
    9
    Just finished the game on PC. I've been a gamer since the 70's and I've never ever played a game that was so "piss your pants" scary. If you have a heart condition, think twice before buying it. Good God... The ones that make me jump are the ones that creep up on you, and suddenly they are right in your face(or arse). The controls feel very "porty" however, they work, and Just finished the game on PC. I've been a gamer since the 70's and I've never ever played a game that was so "piss your pants" scary. If you have a heart condition, think twice before buying it. Good God... The ones that make me jump are the ones that creep up on you, and suddenly they are right in your face(or arse). The controls feel very "porty" however, they work, and do their job. I think its more of Isaac's clumsy untrained motions rather than control lag. It does get a knock for that, even though I have corrected the issue by modifying some vid issues. So slight knock against the game for that. Otherwise, the quality of the production, story, and downright creepiness factor are a top act. Well done.… Expand
  10. josiahb
    Mar 25, 2009
    9
    This game is amazing. it delivers the scares promised and eye candy is great! i can't believe what i'm seeing. all of you guys that gave it a bad rating was due to either lag or control scheme. first of all mine has no lag. try getting a good pc before playing a next gen game. and the control scheme?? you guys are complaining because you suck at the game!! any pc gamer knows This game is amazing. it delivers the scares promised and eye candy is great! i can't believe what i'm seeing. all of you guys that gave it a bad rating was due to either lag or control scheme. first of all mine has no lag. try getting a good pc before playing a next gen game. and the control scheme?? you guys are complaining because you suck at the game!! any pc gamer knows that most games have different variations of controls. this game does fine in control. you just need to get used to it is all. if you couldn't adapt to new control schemes you would be a single minded pc player. you could only play one type of game. this game is great and i give big props. love it.… Expand
  11. DaleC
    Jul 15, 2009
    10
    My favourite "next gen" game for pc, better than crysis warhead, far cry 2, Left 4 dead, you name it, awesome hard core sci fi story, scary as hell, satisfying weapons and the upgrade system makes it even more personal to play and you can keep the upgrades for a second and third playthrough. After finishing the game i immediately played through another 2 or 3 times because this game has My favourite "next gen" game for pc, better than crysis warhead, far cry 2, Left 4 dead, you name it, awesome hard core sci fi story, scary as hell, satisfying weapons and the upgrade system makes it even more personal to play and you can keep the upgrades for a second and third playthrough. After finishing the game i immediately played through another 2 or 3 times because this game has some serious single player replay value.… Expand
  12. RemyB
    Jan 16, 2010
    10
    This has to be the best single player game I've played in the past 10 years. Just make sure you play it with the lights off and the sound up!
  13. MM
    Jan 17, 2010
    10
    The controls are impressively functional - once you get the hang of them. Although, the storyline is by-the-numbers, it is a gripping and often surprising story. Oh yeah... it's scary as hell.
  14. gvazdas
    Jan 16, 2012
    10
    Irrelevant bugs? Check.
    Controls that can be gotten used to in a while? Check.
    The things I mentioned above are most things people whine about. And I don't give a **** I already wrote a 30 minute review on this game, explaining 50 aspects of the game that make it so worth your money (sadly, that youtube account was deleted and I lost the video). I simply love this game, it has went into my    Irrelevant bugs? Check.
    Controls that can be gotten used to in a while? Check.
    The things I mentioned above are most things people whine about.
    And I don't give a ****
    I already wrote a 30 minute review on this game, explaining 50 aspects of the game that make it so worth your money (sadly, that youtube account was deleted and I lost the video). I simply love this game, it has went into my GOTY list time and time again, I recommend it to everyone and everyone asks me about it.
    The controls are **** yes, but they are easy to get used to. I loved this game. The action was great, the satisfying feel of tearing apart an alien with your power boots with that scream is just unforgettable.
    As far as with the storyline, it's nothing breathtaking or amazing, but it definitely keeps you at the front (and, at the same amount, edge) of the seat until the last second of what happens.
    The controls will take some time to get used to, and by the middle of the game you'll be shooting aliens like it's cutting butter with a knife, and by the end, you'll be ready for Dead Space 2.    … Expand
  15. Kosheus
    Feb 28, 2012
    9
    Very good atmospheric game at maximum difficulty.
    Really scary. Feels like AvP2 when playing marine.
    One big fail in game is its ending and final boss (game is not needed bosses at all IMHO, but last one is complete dumb).
    Anyway, very good space horror.
    Remember: play it on higher difficulties.
  16. TheDevilHunter
    Nov 22, 2012
    9
    First of all... This game is all about atmosphere. If you did not like the game because of it's "horrible controls" or some other **** I will just say this one thing: You are doing it wrong. To enjoy "Dead Space" put the difficulty on the highest you can possibly manage (I played on hardest, best feel), get a good headset/speaker set and sit back, relax and get scared. I will admit, theFirst of all... This game is all about atmosphere. If you did not like the game because of it's "horrible controls" or some other **** I will just say this one thing: You are doing it wrong. To enjoy "Dead Space" put the difficulty on the highest you can possibly manage (I played on hardest, best feel), get a good headset/speaker set and sit back, relax and get scared. I will admit, the game did drag a little on the end and sure the controls did take a little getting used to, but after all of this, if you look deep into it's core (like the Resident Evil 4 port to the pc) it's an amazing game. The scares are often great, the atmosphere is dark, grim and the entire feel of the game is just described in two words: "Insanity" and "Loneliness". Just to be clear too, Dead Space 2 is not the same type of game. Dead Space 2 is a 7/10 for me. What they did with Dead Space 2 is that they took everything Dead Space did very, very well... And dulled it down. The feeling of being alone with nobody else around, it's gone in Dead Space 2. The very creepy and dark atmosphere, it's still there, just not that much, instead of being in an "abandoned" space ship you are in Dead Space 2 in one where the outbreak has just started. So my advice is; Pick up Dead Space 1 for all the scary and awesome bits and then get Dead Space 2 for the action.

    Expect lots of gory death in Dead Space. Expect to be scared in Dead Space. Expect a memorable story. Expect exactly what it's title says: Dead. Space.    … Expand
  17. Alexander_1996
    Nov 2, 2020
    10
    Not long ago I played Hellblade:Senua's Sacrifice and I found the game to be pretty stressful, scary and intense in certain moments - now after finishing Dead Space, the first pure horror game I have ever played, I consider Hellblade to be an easy morning jog in a park in terms of stress and horror compared to Dead Space. Though the most scariest moments of Hellblade are more stressfulNot long ago I played Hellblade:Senua's Sacrifice and I found the game to be pretty stressful, scary and intense in certain moments - now after finishing Dead Space, the first pure horror game I have ever played, I consider Hellblade to be an easy morning jog in a park in terms of stress and horror compared to Dead Space. Though the most scariest moments of Hellblade are more stressful and intense than the most scariest moments in Dead Space it is the later that more probably will leave its mark on your mental health. The thing is, Dead Space doesn't have many particularly scary moments - the whole game is one particularly scary moment. There wasn't a moment when I thought "Okay, now I am powerful enough to easily defend myself" - of course with time you obtain better equipment and better weapons but it doesn't help because the monsters also get stronger - so up to the very end you are afraid of any sudden movement or noise. The fact that the threat can appear literally from anywhere doesn't give you a chance to relax even for a little bit - the constant feel of danger doesn't let you go.

    Dead Space isn't just a scary game. Dead Space also is a good shooter with RPG elements, an interesting and intriguing story with great sound design. Everything here makes sense, everything feels right - no useless collectibles, no stupid sidequests. Dead Space certainly deserves a "must-play" badge on metacritic because in many ways it is a perfect sci-fi horror which didn't age much even 12 years later.    … Expand
  18. supportgoodgame
    Feb 17, 2022
    10
    Amazing horror game, i'm really hyped for the remake, hopefully they wont let fans down like Cyberbug 2077 did.
  19. FrancisH.
    Nov 9, 2008
    10
    Dead Space is an incredible game and a real surprise hit.You can clearly see the painstaking detail that went into creating it's menus, environment and character animations.This is probably the game with the highest production values that I've come across in recent times and just plays great. Gaming dynamics like dismemberment, holographic displays that keep you in the game even Dead Space is an incredible game and a real surprise hit.You can clearly see the painstaking detail that went into creating it's menus, environment and character animations.This is probably the game with the highest production values that I've come across in recent times and just plays great. Gaming dynamics like dismemberment, holographic displays that keep you in the game even when accessing inventory and selective upgrading of your weapons always keeps the player interested. Plus I a have never seen such ridiculous amounts of gore like this, limbs fly all over the place and blood flows like water. On the difficulty side I'd say you'll have to play the game on Hard otherwise it might be slightly too easy. Talking about the length of the game well, I finished it in about 15 hours and I was taking my time. Replayability factor is definitely there though, because after you finish the game, you unlock some goodies for a second play through and also unlock impossible difficulty. Controls were a non issue for me, if you've played something like Mass Effect then you'll have a good idea of how it handles. In closing, Dead Space is a must play for any fans of gaming, particulary those that like a Sci-Fi horror setting .… Expand
  20. RyanK.
    Jan 10, 2009
    9
    Overall this is a very good game. I'm going to spoil the very beginning of the game in this comment, but this part of the game reflects the entire game well. The beginning of the game is calm with a vague ominous feeling. This feeling is eased by the conversation between the crew members of the ship you're on. Various things are wrong with the ship your crew has come to repair, Overall this is a very good game. I'm going to spoil the very beginning of the game in this comment, but this part of the game reflects the entire game well. The beginning of the game is calm with a vague ominous feeling. This feeling is eased by the conversation between the crew members of the ship you're on. Various things are wrong with the ship your crew has come to repair, such as the absence of a ship captain or flight crew, but your groups leader is confident that everything is fine, and his voice acting and dialogue effectively reassure the player. Your crew begins to investigate the ship. It is empty. Your character, some kind of ship engineer, recieves his orders to get to work on repairs, your crew is there to repair, not investigate. You follow commands and are temporarily seperated from your group by a large glass window. Suddenly, the lights cut out and the doors around your crew lock. Horrifying, mutated monsters break through the vents below your crew. The lights are flickering on and off so you can only catch glimpses of the assailants, but those glimpses are enough to let you know that your crew doesn't stand a chance. They scream for you to run, and that is all you can do. The monsters hear you open the door as you try to escape. One of them breaks through a vent in the ceiling and starts to chase you. You run as fast as you can through the ship, making a break for the nearest elevator. As you run you can hear the creatures claws hit the ground directly behind you. It is clearly starting to gain on you. You finally make it to the elevator and turn around to slam the A button to close the door. You get your first full look at the creature. It looks like a human, only all of its limbs have been extended and the bones in its arms have formed into massive, razor sharp blades. It has no skin anymore and the muscles, bones, and blood are clearly visible. Its face is monstrous. The creature slashes at you and knocks you back into the elevator as the doors close. The creature pounds on the doors. This is where I breathed a huge sigh of relief. About five seconds pass. A bloody blade stabs through the slit between the elevator doors. Another blade follows. The doors are pried open to reveal the same creature that was chasing you. The doors lock into the open position. You know you're going to die. The creature knows it too. He pulls back his arms and juts out his head into the elevator, letting out a hideous scream. Suddenly the doors slam shut and smash the creatures neck. Its head falls into the elevator to lay next to your feet. The elevator reaches its destination. You don't know if your crew is alive, and you don't believe you will be alive for long. You set out to find a way to defend yourself, knowing full well that if one of those creatures finds you you are as good as dead.… Expand
  21. GlenS
    Dec 30, 2009
    10
    Loved it. Great game if you like sci-fi and horror. Turn off the lights, turn up the sounds, and prepare to jump.
  22. anonymous
    Dec 4, 2009
    9
    What a fantastic game. Like an ode to Doom 3 in many ways, its totally engaging and absorbing. The gameplay is terrifically well balanced too, not too much, not to little of anything. Also, for basically a console port, the PC version is super clean, including a good compromise on the save system.... it just works well. The only complain I had was that the third person view makes What a fantastic game. Like an ode to Doom 3 in many ways, its totally engaging and absorbing. The gameplay is terrifically well balanced too, not too much, not to little of anything. Also, for basically a console port, the PC version is super clean, including a good compromise on the save system.... it just works well. The only complain I had was that the third person view makes visibility pretty tough sometimes, but you get used to it. There are times when I couldn't see what was going on, which made my eyes hurt. But this only happened occasionally. A GREAT game, truly… Expand
  23. toddC
    Mar 15, 2009
    10
    Man how can you say this game sucks. Yes maybe the camera angles are not that good but it rocks. This game has to be the best 3rd person shooter I have ever played. Scary as shit kept my on the edge of my chair the whole time. Love the monsters all of them esp the big ass one that has the ripped coat thats scary. Overall loved the game beat it 3 times and every time was better.
  24. IgonasT
    Mar 21, 2009
    10
    It is the most terrible game in which I ever played! A smart atmosphere of the best fantastic films. Superb! We Wait for continuation.
  25. FB
    Apr 13, 2009
    9
    If you enjoyed Doom 3, half-life 1-2, and all the other great scare the f*** out of you games, I assure you, this game is for you. The over the shoulder view feels weird at first, but once you adapt it's great. I don't know who these people are that give it a low score. I've played all the great games (in line with half-life 1 and 2, prey, Doom 3, etc.) and I played this If you enjoyed Doom 3, half-life 1-2, and all the other great scare the f*** out of you games, I assure you, this game is for you. The over the shoulder view feels weird at first, but once you adapt it's great. I don't know who these people are that give it a low score. I've played all the great games (in line with half-life 1 and 2, prey, Doom 3, etc.) and I played this one, and it's great. They must not have good enough CPU.… Expand
  26. BrilliantPerson
    Aug 22, 2009
    9
    The story seems as though it came out of a horror video game making machine. The weapons are too overpowered. But the developers added something I haven't seen before that I thought was pretty cool: the no gravity areas where you could jump from any surface. The game itself is only scary if you expect it to play out like a Barbie game, and though it did give me the jibbers when an The story seems as though it came out of a horror video game making machine. The weapons are too overpowered. But the developers added something I haven't seen before that I thought was pretty cool: the no gravity areas where you could jump from any surface. The game itself is only scary if you expect it to play out like a Barbie game, and though it did give me the jibbers when an alien that I thought was dead took a decent chunk out of myu neck, I stopped being surprised by it after the 3rd one. But all of these criticisms I have for it I found easy to overlook because it played so well. I bought this for PS3 but also played it on PC at a friend's house, They are exactly the same, but it does play6 easier on the console. Both ways, the best way to kill aliens was to chop off a leg and stomp it to death.… Expand
  27. StevenB.
    Nov 17, 2008
    10
    This is seriously one of the greatest games ever made. And I think it has elements that will appeal to most every type of gamer. First, it's a FPS, and it does that well. The weapons are amazingly creative, and while some may be turned off by the lack of traditional weapons like grenades and rocket launchers; don't be! You'll have much more fun using a spinning saw blade on This is seriously one of the greatest games ever made. And I think it has elements that will appeal to most every type of gamer. First, it's a FPS, and it does that well. The weapons are amazingly creative, and while some may be turned off by the lack of traditional weapons like grenades and rocket launchers; don't be! You'll have much more fun using a spinning saw blade on a tether that rips through enemies. The game also has elements of an RPG, where you purchase upgrades and decide how to level up your character's suit or weapons. The game is also not really linear as there are oftentimes multiple ways to go and multiple missions to address. For people that like linearity, or if you simply get lost, there's a breadcrumbs option that highlights the route you should take. And I haven't had any issues with the controls--at any level. I find them to be intuitive and extremely responsive; I really have no idea what people are complaining about. This is really the perfect game. It's immersive, beautiful, addictive, very creepy, and it has elements that all types of gamers will love. The only downside is the activation DRM. But that's the idiot executives at EA's fault--not the developers or creative crew.… Expand
  28. ChrisF
    Nov 8, 2008
    9
    A great and totaly immersive game, best played in the dark with headphones. A slightly clunky control mechanism hightens the drama of the combat and works well with the overall experiance. It's let down by the forumlaic plot, but its so seemlessley sewn into the play that it's not to much of a loss. Had they got me to feel something for the npc's, made some of the A great and totaly immersive game, best played in the dark with headphones. A slightly clunky control mechanism hightens the drama of the combat and works well with the overall experiance. It's let down by the forumlaic plot, but its so seemlessley sewn into the play that it's not to much of a loss. Had they got me to feel something for the npc's, made some of the enviroments more convincingly lived in, or given it an intro with the same emotional impact as prey this could have easily been a 10.… Expand
  29. RoccoS.
    Oct 21, 2008
    9
    Strangely, there has been talk of sluggish controls with this game. While it is true that he mouse movement sucks when using menus, this isn't a problem because when you are actually playing the game, there is "no lag..." For the people who keep complaining about the mouse, I think they are expecting an "unreal tournament" kind of response, and that wouldn't work with this game! Strangely, there has been talk of sluggish controls with this game. While it is true that he mouse movement sucks when using menus, this isn't a problem because when you are actually playing the game, there is "no lag..." For the people who keep complaining about the mouse, I think they are expecting an "unreal tournament" kind of response, and that wouldn't work with this game! The designers of this game should be given a lot of credit actually, because the way you move adds to the suspense of the game. Just ignore the mouse when you are using menus. This game is gorgeous, and MUCH BETTER than anything I've see come out this year in the sci-fi arena. Forget complaining about DRM, this is a great game. (And I hate DRM!) ... you won't regret purchasing this. (but make sure you have a fast system with good graphic card!).… Expand
  30. GabrielX.
    Dec 18, 2008
    10
    I finish the game and now I'm playing it for second time and its really amazing, for me the best game of 2008. It has the elements to make a great horror history and for keep you playing to unlock new things. The graphics are great, you really feel that you are in the space; the sounds are very good too, always very atmospheric to create the tension over you in every place of the I finish the game and now I'm playing it for second time and its really amazing, for me the best game of 2008. It has the elements to make a great horror history and for keep you playing to unlock new things. The graphics are great, you really feel that you are in the space; the sounds are very good too, always very atmospheric to create the tension over you in every place of the ship. The creatures are creepy and some of them are fast and they coming for everywere, so you have to be ready all the time. Overall for any fan of horror games should have to play this game.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

12
#12 Best PC Game of 2008
8
#8 Most Discussed PC Game of 2008
6
#6 Most Shared PC Game of 2008

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
86

Generally favorable reviews - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 28
  3. Negative: 0 out of 28
  1. PTGamers
    90
    This is a highly recommended game for science fiction and survival horror fans, with its claustrophobic atmosphere and horrible creatures.
    Read full review
  2. Gamer 2.0
    91
    Overall, Dead Space is an extraordinary game with tons of shock value and action to whet any fan's appetite for some time, and with a campaign that lasts a steady 10-12 hours, that’s plenty of time to get lost aboard the Ishimura.
    Read full review
  3. PC Zone UK
    81
    Dead Space is a potentially great game that's hamstrung by an attempt to completely ape a console controller with a mouse and keyboard. [Dec 2008, p.58]
See all critic reviews »