Dead Space 2

 PlayStation 3
User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 700 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 606 out of 700
  2. Mixed: 60 out of 700
  3. Negative: 34 out of 700
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  1. Alex_Pilgrim008
    Jul 23, 2023
    9
    Even better than the first "Dead Space". The influence of Naughty Dog's "Uncharted" is very apparent. Also, Isaac now speaks in the game, graphics have been improved, there are more guns and less backtracking. Visceral Games basically perfected the formula of the original. The multiplayer is a nice addition, but unessential. This is a superb survival horror game. I would rate this with aEven better than the first "Dead Space". The influence of Naughty Dog's "Uncharted" is very apparent. Also, Isaac now speaks in the game, graphics have been improved, there are more guns and less backtracking. Visceral Games basically perfected the formula of the original. The multiplayer is a nice addition, but unessential. This is a superb survival horror game. I would rate this with a 9.2 out of 10.… Expand
  2. Thorsir
    Jun 9, 2023
    4
    This game deserves a high rating, because I know it's good. But the game keeps on freezing on ps3. Reinstalling doesn"t help tough. The CD has no scratches and harddisc is fine too. It is barely playable in this stage. Hoping for patches for such an old game is hopeless. Gonna try out the remake instead.
  3. Mastereed
    Feb 25, 2023
    9
    A LOVELY SPACEWALK AMONG NECROMORPHS

    BEFORE WE BEGIN: The game has been completed multiple times and in all difficulty levels present, as well, the platinum trophy has been achieved. It has also been tested at both 30 fps and 60 fps. EXTRACTION: Unlike its predecessor, Dead Space 2 throws the player immediately into the middle of the action. In the first few minutes of the game,    A LOVELY SPACEWALK AMONG NECROMORPHS

    BEFORE WE BEGIN:
    The game has been completed multiple times and in all difficulty levels present, as well, the platinum trophy has been achieved. It has also been tested at both 30 fps and 60 fps.

    EXTRACTION:
    Unlike its predecessor, Dead Space 2 throws the player immediately into the middle of the action. In the first few minutes of the game, the story of the original is briefly hinted at with a nice cutscene following that brings up the beautiful necromorphs that clearly begin to slaughter anyone breathing inside the facility. Clearly, as is the first chapter, a chasing sequence will begin from which the player must escape unharmed, or nearly so, and then learn the game's first basic mechanics useful for mere survival. These are brilliantly placed in rapid sequence, making their learning and combined use, much more intuitive.

    FLYING THROUGH THE SPACE:
    The gameplay of the game, as an excellent sequel to an already established still excellent game should do, brings back all those mechanics already present in the original, adding, as one would expect, new weapons, enemies and puzzles. The fluidity of movement has been greatly improved, making both dodging enemies, and catching them, from enemies, faster and smoother (Small note to Xbox Game Pass and PC, which make with 60 fps gameplay borderline to modern gaming). One of the big differences is the improvement of the Zero-G system, now adjusted for smoother and less restricted free movement, and consequently the addition of combat sequences and puzzles appropriate to the new mechanics.
    The presence of new weapons of course is not to be ruled out, including the Javelin, a powerful spear-shooter capable of piercing enemies and then detonating them; the Seeker rifle, a high-caliber sniper rifle; the force gun, useful for throwing enemies against walls and keeping them well away and the Detonator, a simple grenade launcher. The game then has several difficulty levels as in its predecessor, including the infamous Hardcore Mode, which, however, will now be tied to a maximum of 3 possible saves for the player, making it a great challenge for any player. The reward for this feat will be the world-famous Pew Pew gun, also known as Devil's Horns or Hand Cannon, a baseball cheer mitt capable of one-shotting virtually any creature in the Dead Space world. The new enemies are many, and they go to highlight everything that might have been missing on Dead Space.

    THE SUN NEVER SHINES:
    Visually Dead Space 2 also comes across as more arrogant than the original. By not being tied to a single spaceship design, the designers had much more field in which to express their talents, creating huge space cities, moon bases, deep space flight sections, and even a few goodies for those who played the original. The graphics turn out great for the year of release, and because of that it has managed not to age. Let alone the wonderful designs of the new weapons, characters, and enemies, which always look impeccable.

    SUFFOCATING SILENCE:
    Everything that is already present in Dead Space 1 applies here. To make a long story short, the audio is always perfectly dedicated to what it's supposed to achieve, whether it's the suffocating silence of space, or the swarming noises of necromorphs in the ducts, or the heartbreaking screams of dying commoners, Dead Space 2 always gets it right, setting the atmosphere that every horror game should have.

    BUT WHY 9?

    PROS:
    Dead Space 2 is the sequel in every way to its predecessor. Valueting the original an 8, cannot help but getting the sequel a 9, improving on or maintaining virtually all of the merits and eliminating most of the flaws. The gameplay is still fun even after multiple runs, even just dismembering necromorph bodies is highly addictive. The story is a continuation of the first, and it is much more extensive, explaining facts unknown in the first and giving the basis for the third. Objectively Dead Space 2 is a great game in the Horror genre and an expansion of the already established first Dead Space.

    CONS:
    The path toward Action. This is what you feel when playing Dead Space 2, that middle ground between a true horror and a third-person action shooter. Obviously for those who have played the third chapter it will be clear why, it bridges the two genres. This is obviously a flaw that , however extreme, led to the downfall of the third chapter, and the subsequent closure of the development team, Visceral Games. Also, a second flaw, the game turns out, because of its size and setting, to be much more alive. This might be a pro for some, but in a horror game where the loneliness of the space is the focal point it goes to take away that side of eeriness that the first one had.

    RATING
    Gameplay: 10
    Music:8
    Story: 9
    Horror: 8.5
    _    … Expand
  4. jonjohn048
    Feb 14, 2023
    10
    Dead Space 2 is probably one of the best horror games I've ever played and that's especially impressive considering it's predecessor was already an instant classic. The first thing I want to say is that both the art style and and engine powering this game is so impressive it actually helps the game look just as good and sometimes even better than most AAA games released years after it'sDead Space 2 is probably one of the best horror games I've ever played and that's especially impressive considering it's predecessor was already an instant classic. The first thing I want to say is that both the art style and and engine powering this game is so impressive it actually helps the game look just as good and sometimes even better than most AAA games released years after it's release and the fact that the frame rate is a LOT more stable this time on my PS3 is pretty much another thing worth bowing down to Visceral Games for. Also the game is shot in ALMOST a one shot camera just like both God of War games (albeit there is this one time when the camera faded to black and that was more jarring than you think). The zero-gravity sections INFINETELY more better than the first since you now float in mid-air and have 360 degree movement as opposed to the stiff and limited Superman jumping that I had trouble working around with. I definitely prefer this game's characters over the original since they're more desperate here in this game and 2 of Isaac's companions are simply brilliant due to how one is a badass and the other helps motivate the player to save Isaac before it's too late. Speaking of Isaac, the fact he has a voice fleshes out his character even more and I don't miss the "silent protagonist" in even the slightest. The combat is roughly the same as the first but the reason it still feels fresh is because the enemy variety is bigger here causing you to string up new "combos" (there's no combat counter here but it was the best way I could describe it) and the kinesis is upgraded in a way to now attack the enemies to the point where it feels crazy that this wasn't in the first. The game also takes a trip down memory lane (kinda literally) with taking a location in the first game and because of how it managed to scare you before, you're on the edge of your seat feeling extremely uneasy thinking a jump scare will occur. The atmosphere is divisive on whether or not it's better than the first and I would say most likely no but it's really close because some environments can get bright allowing to fight the enemies without feeling scared. The story is amazing since it showcases what's happening to Isaac after the events in the first game, you feel like you're gonna go insane with Isaac if you don't help him, and the lore is expanded with some of the audio logs being emotional to keep the game interesting. The horror is exceptional with the jump-scares being scarier, it drains your sanity constantly to ensure you stay scared, and there's this one particular moment at the end of the game that'll straight up make you not want to finish the game. Finally, the reason I give this game a 10 is because if you beat this game on the hardest difficulty, you unlock a foam finger that straight up ANNHILATES all of your enemies and it feels so satisfying when your enemies fall to pieces after they terrorized you for the past 10 hours. Now because of how I got this game not too long after The Callisto Protocol, the servers for the multiplayer have already shut down so I can't comment on it but I can definitely say the Severed DLC is strange because if you never played Dead Space Extraction, their character arcs make no sense and the DLC doesn't do nearly enough to encourage them to actually play DSE with short it is and how your upgraded weapons from the base game DON'T transfer over to the DLC. Overall, given how successful the Dead Space remake is, I have zero doubt this game is gonna get the same treatment and I hope that it's just as good since Dead Space 2 is the best game in the franchise imo.… Expand
  5. JrDouble
    Dec 7, 2022
    10
    Even better than the first, so a true masterpiece. A must play even over a decade after its release. Fantastic!
  6. Rafa_Vyr
    Dec 3, 2022
    10
    THIS GAME IS THE BEST SEQUENCE OF SURVIVAL HORROR. YOU NEED TO PLAY. I WANT THIS GAME BACK. BETTER THAN MANY GAMES ACTUALLY. I recommend to you.
  7. hector_bcn98
    Nov 10, 2022
    9
    Seguía la estela del primero y ofrecía una experiencia de terror única e indescriptible.
  8. chrisdan23
    Jun 9, 2022
    9
    Wie im Nachfolger zu Ridley Scotts Alien, schlüpft man auch in Dead Space 2 ein weiteres Mal in die Rolle des Isaac Clarke um sich, drei Jahre nach den Ereignissen auf der Ishimura, nochmals der furchterregende Parasiten Plage zu stellen. Letztlich macht Visceral im Nachfolger zu ihrem Survival Horror Shooter nicht wirklich viel neu. Wieder erforschen wir Abschnitt für Abschnitt eineWie im Nachfolger zu Ridley Scotts Alien, schlüpft man auch in Dead Space 2 ein weiteres Mal in die Rolle des Isaac Clarke um sich, drei Jahre nach den Ereignissen auf der Ishimura, nochmals der furchterregende Parasiten Plage zu stellen. Letztlich macht Visceral im Nachfolger zu ihrem Survival Horror Shooter nicht wirklich viel neu. Wieder erforschen wir Abschnitt für Abschnitt eine Raumstation, kriegen Herzstillstände bei jedem Feindkontakt und haben sonst vor allem eines, nämlich ordentlich Schiss in der Bux. Dead Space 2 ist durchaus etwas actionreicher ausgefallen als der Vorgänger, auch die Umgebungsrätsel wurden etwas erweitert. Dennoch kippt das Spiel nicht hin zur reinen Ballerorgie und auch die freieren Areale sind eher eine gelungene Abwechslung, tun der generell beklemmenden Atmosphäre des Titels aber kaum Abbruch.

    Sicherlich, wir haben teils deutlich mehr Feindkontakte als im Erstlingswerk, und es gibt Räume und Abschnitte, wo sich auch einmal bis zu einem Dutzend der gruseligen Monster tummeln können - Visceral schafft es aber trotzdem die Spannung aufrecht zu erhalten. So können wir in extrem verseuchten Abschnitten meist nämlich überhaupt nicht alle Viecher töten, sondern müssen schauen, wie wir da irgendwie lebend durchkommen, ohne uns auf ein offenen Gefecht einzulassen. Hier und da kommt daher auch wieder die Fluchtmechanik zum Tragen, die uns bereits im ersten Teil begegnet ist, wo wir, vor allem zu Beginn des Spiels, den Necros noch ziemlich wehrlos ausgeliefert waren und erst einmal nur sehen mussten, dass wir da weg kommen.

    Letztlich steht es dem Titel also gut, dass Visceral nicht krampfhaft versucht neue Innovationen in das Franchise zu pumpen, sondern die Mechaniken des ersten Teils lediglich optimiert und stellenweise, beispielsweise mit den Schwerelosigkeitsaufgaben, expandiert. Natürlich fehlt der Fortsetzung etwas der Kick des Neuen, den das erste Dead Space noch hatte. Durch neue Locations, die Schwerelosigkeitsmechanik und ein deutlich komplexeres Storytelling, das sich vor allem durch die Verwirrtheitszustände und Halluzinationen unseres Protagonisten auch nochmals beklemmender anfühlt, ist Dead Space 2 letztlich eine hervorragende Fortsetzung des Horror Franchises geworden, die den Vorgänger, hinsichtlich Gameplay und Spannung, in vielem gar zu überflügeln weiß.    … Expand
  9. JoseManuel10_
    Dec 21, 2021
    9
    Dead Space 2 is a science fiction survival horror video game, developed by Visceral Games and published by Electronic Arts.
  10. UncleEd
    Oct 12, 2021
    9
    Dead Space 2 is to Dead Space, what Aliens (movie) was to Alien. The first game was a spectacular horror game, very atmospheric, slowly building tension. It had very tight gameplay too. Dead Space 2 focuses on the tight gameplay and further improves on it. It throws aliens at you left and right and you can make use of your more comprehensive weapon arsenal to kill them. Thanks to itsDead Space 2 is to Dead Space, what Aliens (movie) was to Alien. The first game was a spectacular horror game, very atmospheric, slowly building tension. It had very tight gameplay too. Dead Space 2 focuses on the tight gameplay and further improves on it. It throws aliens at you left and right and you can make use of your more comprehensive weapon arsenal to kill them. Thanks to its awesome sound design, the game is still scary. But it is scary in a way that Aliens was, keeping tension constantly high throughout the game. There is also great replay value here, because you unlock different difficulty modes which you can complete with your upgraded weapons brought from your previous saves.

    Overall, I loved Dead Space 2. I did not love it as much as I did Dead Space, but that is not a drawback, considering the first game is one of the best horror games ever made. I totally recommend Dead Space 2. It’s as good as a sequel can get.    … Expand
  11. FidelGastro
    Jun 3, 2021
    8
    Dead Space 2 is at least as good as its predecessor. Gameplay is even more improved here. The enemies are the same.

    The story is again perfectly set and exciting. Story decisions make sense and the characters are well written. The environment in which the story is set is also excellent. I don't know what to write more about this game. It is a more or less improved first part of this    Dead Space 2 is at least as good as its predecessor. Gameplay is even more improved here. The enemies are the same.

    The story is again perfectly set and exciting. Story decisions make sense and the characters are well written. The environment in which the story is set is also excellent.

    I don't know what to write more about this game. It is a more or less improved first part of this game series.

    I give a rating of 8/10.    … Expand
  12. 8tonystark8
    May 26, 2021
    10
    Even better than the first game! One of the best games. Period. Not just in the horror/action/shooter genre.
  13. DanteStation
    May 1, 2021
    10
    La mejor forma de continuar la historia y el game play... Es una joya de juego
  14. Ruzaky
    Sep 25, 2020
    9
    Pretty much perfect sequel. Combat is better, story got more time, and Cinematic moments is now very cool. Only thing is not that great like in first game is atmosphere , ishimura is much more scarry.
  15. Not_Ur_Momz
    Jun 21, 2020
    10
    I loved Dead Space 2. The game was so fun. I found the shooting in this game really fun. The story was entertaining and the lore of the Dead Space universe is one of my favorites.
  16. Argueta99
    Mar 25, 2020
    10
    the gameplay is really entertaining, in all the new plus games I played at most I found a couple of programming bugs. super recommended if you like things related to terror.I have never had so much fun with a video game, I think the feeling that for a long time I am now looking is number 1 in my personal top, I hope you enjoy the title I recommend it
  17. bjr1998
    Apr 13, 2020
    10
    Every bit as good as the first. But the storytelling and horrific hallucination scenes may actually create an even better atmosphere this time around. Obvious graphical improvements too. An absolutely great horror game from start to finish.
  18. djbaraka
    Jan 11, 2020
    9
    Great and immersive story, it's really addictive.
    A must play and a amazing horror game.
  19. VTL
    Jan 5, 2020
    8
    Espectacular segunda entrega. No es la primera pero es igualmente increible. Esto si es un survival horror mezcla con accion. Sinceramente muy buen juego.
  20. Gamer1465
    Nov 16, 2019
    10
    This game was mind blowing to me and was the first dead space game I played, the psychological horror elements in the game are just so interesting and elevate the game for me.

    This game takes place 3 years after the original on a ship named the Sprawl. Isaac starts of in an asylum for the insane and then the rest of the game plays out with Nicole and visions haunting Isaac. I love the    This game was mind blowing to me and was the first dead space game I played, the psychological horror elements in the game are just so interesting and elevate the game for me.

    This game takes place 3 years after the original on a ship named the Sprawl. Isaac starts of in an asylum for the insane and then the rest of the game plays out with Nicole and visions haunting Isaac. I love the story although it can drags at times. The game also has some really intense moments like a train sequence is great. The bosses also add a fun element to the game as well. The ending to me was fantastic in my opinion and where dead space as a whole should of ended, a sense of dread but satisfaction, I love it. We then get a post credit scene which set up Dead space 3, I liked it when I finished Dead Space 2 but now wish we didn't have it after playing dead space 3.

    The new characters like Ellie are nice additions to the game and adds more to the game, the first one was about isolation for the most part but this game adds characters which betray you or help you, thankfully it works.

    The psychological element to this game makes sense after the ending of the original and works really well playing with the player, what is real and what is not, Nicole is creepy as hell and gave me nightmares, that's what a horror game should do. Sure this game has a lot of jump scares and they wear off after a while but it also adds tension as you never know when something is gonna jump out.

    The DLC was okay, pretty forgettable, but is really cool as we see what Isaac has left behind from the battles but sadly the character Gabe who appears in Dead Space Extraction (which is cool) was forgettable and doesn't really add anything in my opinion to the story of the second game.

    This game was amazing to me and still holds up well to this day. Every horror fan should at least play this game through once, it is one of the few horror sequels which objectively can be said to be better than the original.    … Expand
  21. Australian-Dark
    Oct 31, 2019
    10
    The best game in the series I still play it now I have it on ps3 and 360 plus I'm getting it for pc I platinumed this game and enjoyed every minute of it I finished this game about 5 times I wish it was on ps4 plus I wish ea would make a dead space 4
  22. sufflaminandus
    Jun 3, 2019
    8
    Dead Space 2 accomplishes one extraordinary feat: it bring much more action to the table than its predecessor while remaining an equal competitor in survival-horror department (or even better). Indeed, weighing psychological soundtrack, Silent Hill 2-like dead girlfriend theme, hallucination scenes and, of course, scary locations full of darkness, unexpected monsters and creepy backgroundDead Space 2 accomplishes one extraordinary feat: it bring much more action to the table than its predecessor while remaining an equal competitor in survival-horror department (or even better). Indeed, weighing psychological soundtrack, Silent Hill 2-like dead girlfriend theme, hallucination scenes and, of course, scary locations full of darkness, unexpected monsters and creepy background lore - what can be a more impactful mix of horror? But more important is an addition of new higher difficulty level - zealot. At last, I finally felt uneasy while journeying through necromorph littered Titan station - two hits are enough to tear Isaac to shreds while ammo reserves barely covers your accuracy expenses. Speaking of journeying - Dead Space 2 is now seamless, without any backtracking, voiced protagonist and lots of breathtaking actions scenes (‘BOOM’ and all all that). These action engravings are weaved flawlessly into survival-horror core, evoking only positive emotions and rapture. Add to this general gameplay improvements here and there (like refined graphics, more convenient controls and interface, removal of questionable gameplay elements like puzzles and minigames, reworked space traversal) and you will get a model example of how a sequel must be done. Classic Dead Space highlights remained absolutely the same (and thus perfect): limb shooting, unconventional weapons and extremely satisfying feel of combat in general. Dead Space 2 does not touch elements that are already in the right place - another property of a successful sequel.

    I scored predecessor with 7 because I felt it to be too templated and careful in realization. Well, Dead Space 2 resolves exactly this problem - it is independent, challenging bravely new heights and masterfully achieving them.

    8/10    … Expand
  23. GenuineBruv2021
    Oct 29, 2018
    9
    Dead Space 2 is a big step forward from the first game, the game is a lot more polished than the first one and its got a much better narrative. The combat has been improved too, melee hits are a lot smoother this time around and Issac has got a voice! This game is very disturbing and creepy, the monster design is terrifying. This game can be very challenging too and the upgrade system hasDead Space 2 is a big step forward from the first game, the game is a lot more polished than the first one and its got a much better narrative. The combat has been improved too, melee hits are a lot smoother this time around and Issac has got a voice! This game is very disturbing and creepy, the monster design is terrifying. This game can be very challenging too and the upgrade system has seen improvements as well. Great sequel!… Expand
  24. Needa
    Sep 12, 2018
    9
    Actually, i hate dead space for the first time, how can people play this game. The worst death scene i ever seen, makes me sick for a week until this sequel was released. The space suit is so damn cool, they really did a good job for advertising this game. This game maybe my favorite series of Death Space game. They mix action and horror really good. Death Space 2 was the reason i lovedActually, i hate dead space for the first time, how can people play this game. The worst death scene i ever seen, makes me sick for a week until this sequel was released. The space suit is so damn cool, they really did a good job for advertising this game. This game maybe my favorite series of Death Space game. They mix action and horror really good. Death Space 2 was the reason i loved this series… Expand
  25. njja02
    May 15, 2018
    9
    Although Isaac becomes a generic protagonist in this game, the original game-play and atmosphere is back. This time it feels a lot more like an action game, but I thought that made it feel different enough from the last game.
  26. Jamespotte
    Mar 15, 2018
    9
    It is said that a sequel never defeats the first one... This game was almost perfect, but it lacked something i can´t even describe. Still, hell of a sequel, and one of the best survival horror games i´ve ever played
  27. sityoazzdown
    Feb 27, 2018
    8
    A good game and if not one of the better horror games of last gen. Every element in this game is good but nothing really blows you away. Primarily because theres not much different from the original. Even the story has the same theme of trying to figure out what the heck is going on. Reccomend if youre looking for a horror game or enjoy dead space
  28. YASIFAIZI
    Feb 17, 2018
    10
    This game is like playing Resident evil 4 on space
    which is great
    great graphic, improved gameplay, great story, great atmosphere, heart-beating moments and many more.
    every one should play this once in there live time
  29. Heisenberg93
    Feb 4, 2018
    8
    Dead Space 2 is the repetition of a story already seen: a second chapter that, although distorting the nature of the first, is considered by most reviewers, critics and players, better than the previous one. We saw it with Mass Effect, for example. I don't agree with this logic and here, I will explain why.

    Dead Space 2's plot takes us back where it had left us. Isaac Clarke was    Dead Space 2 is the repetition of a story already seen: a second chapter that, although distorting the nature of the first, is considered by most reviewers, critics and players, better than the previous one. We saw it with Mass Effect, for example. I don't agree with this logic and here, I will explain why.

    Dead Space 2's plot takes us back where it had left us. Isaac Clarke was "recovered" and 3 years later, found himself placed in an asylum, due to his connection to the Marker's effects. From there on, things will only get worse, with a large-scale of necromorphs outflow. Nice: the story immediately begins with a bang, compared to the slow start of the first chapter. It's an interesting plot and certainly pushes strongly until the end of the story. I liked the Sprawl setting, but I preferred that ship stranded in space, called Ishimura. However, what I didn't appreciate, it's not only the excessive enigmatic halo linked to the events, but also the way in which they take place: in the first Dead Space, each chapter was concluded with a monorail tram system that brought you to the next destination, to the next chapter. You felt satisfied, relieved, and yet you knew that when that tram stopped, you'd have a great deal of work again. Not in Dead Space 2: the plot is a simple straight line, no interleaved pause, each chapter of the game comes and you couldn't even notice it, if it's not for a shy written line down-right the screen. This brings us to the second point. Isaac is an engineer, and it was nice to play his role in the first game: each chapter was a task, an effort – even professional – aimed at solving a situation, increasing the probability of surviving and get home in one piece. In Dead Space 2, a good part of the game is nothing but chasing people, and trying to reunite with certain characters encountered in the events. An almost constant "We will meet there" rigmarole. A few times, Isaac's actions really make the difference and if the difference is there, it's little perceived. It is a plot inferior to the one of the first Dead Space, substantially.

    Gameplay: what a second chapter should really give to be superior to the previous one? What was improved? The movements of Isaac, faster and more fluid, even in the beating with the foot or in the slap, far too slow in the first chapter; other plus points are the possibility to interchange suits, select them at will, the space flight sections with the suit, the freer gravity zero phases and the bypass method of electronic systems. But there's a problem in how Dead Space 2 manages to be a more difficult game than the first, even if it's less survival horror – I played at "Survivalist" mode the first time. In a survival horror game, few resources must be managed to deal with enemies that, in a higher number than yours, will try to kill you. In Dead Space 2, on the contrary, few resources must be managed to face many, too many, enemies in situations that have nothing to do with survival horror. Think about the ridiculous section with Tripods in the elevator (chapter 7), or the section on the mining drill (chapter 12), which is more acceptable but nonetheless out of place. Dead Space 2 mixes two genres, action and survival horror, that have nothing in common. I can't face dozens of enemies with 20-25 of Plasma cutter energy cells, just as I can't be scared if all I do is shoot as if I'm playing Uncharted. This paradoxically makes the game more difficult not for its survival component, but because I have to use few ammo (typical of survival horror games), to face dozens of enemies (typical of action games). Obviously other changes are aimed at simplifying the gameplay: removed the map, one of the things best done in the first game, to leave only the ridiculous "Navigation System", which now provide not only the goal to be reached but also the nearest store, bench and save station! In addition to this the power nodes can be freely reassigned, and their quantity (seemed to me) is quite excessive. My guys: Dead Space 2 has an identity crisis, this is the point, it is difficult in the wrong way. And despite everything it can be fun and even scary, but I can't accept a so messy mix of ideas in a game that is a sequel to one of the best survival horrors of the past decade.

    Graphically the game is undoubtedly better than the first one, and excellent even after more than 7 years. The soundtrack is good but it's in the ambient sounds, in the chilling echoes and screaming moans, that the game gives the best as the first Dead Space.

    There is no doubt that Dead Space 2 is a game that has improved in some things and that is able to make genuinely fear. However, some naive errors in wanting to merge two different genres, action and survival horror, made it a strange jumble. No doubt that many more people appreciated it and sales prove it. However I continue to claim that Dead Space 2 is far from being better than the first, fascinating, Dead Space.    … Expand
  30. Ishi123
    Oct 30, 2016
    9
    The first Dead Space set the bar extremely high, so it's understandable that Dead Space 2 doesn't quite reach that mark. However, for what it is, Dead Space 2 is still a blast, having much of what made the first game so great, and then some.

    Dead Space 2 leans a bit towards action than horror, in contrast to the first game. However, I'd be lying if I said that the game didn't get to me    The first Dead Space set the bar extremely high, so it's understandable that Dead Space 2 doesn't quite reach that mark. However, for what it is, Dead Space 2 is still a blast, having much of what made the first game so great, and then some.

    Dead Space 2 leans a bit towards action than horror, in contrast to the first game. However, I'd be lying if I said that the game didn't get to me at some points. Despite my experience slaying the shambling horrors of Dead Space, I was on my toes and cautious a good way through the sequel, and I did jump frightened at some bits. Many things are the same, but the new setting of the sequel, being an actual city rather than a dark and dank mining ship, has you feeling unsettled in a different sense than the first. You now feel that this is a place where people actually lived, coming across residences and shopping centers and schools, being all the more poignant when these familiar settings are overrun with the Necromorph threat, with corpses abound and blood staining the floors and walls.

    A new addition to the previous gameplay is the changes to the zero-G sequences. Instead of the clunky act of jumping back and forth between surfaces, you are given full three dimensional control over in the air with your suit's thrusters, allowing you to fly through the air and adding a whole new aspect to combat in these areas, letting you fly around over your foes and blast them with superheated plasma. It's fun, and even though it's not as scary overall as the first Dead Space, it definitely does feel like Dead Space, still remaining true to its core of staying alive against the Necromorph menace.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

15
#15 Best PS3 Game of 2011
19
#19 Most Discussed PS3 Game of 2011
32
#32 Most Shared PS3 Game of 2011

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
89

Generally favorable reviews - based on 78 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 75 out of 78
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 78
  3. Negative: 0 out of 78
  1. Gamestyle
    Mar 22, 2012
    60
    Perhaps the lack of anything new limits the impact of this sequel. The storyline isn't riveting, far from it in fact, but for players who reached the end in the original; you'll want to see what else is going on in the Dead Space universe.
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  2. Videogameszone.de
    May 24, 2011
    88
    The transition between CGI and gameplay delivers a great horror atmosphere. Isaac Clarke's got personality and we are only missing some bigger bossfights.
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  3. Gaming Target
    Mar 24, 2011
    88
    With this sequel, Visceral Games has masterfully expanded on the first Dead Space. They've revved up the series with tougher guns, a bigger setting, and online multiplayer, but kept the spirit and, most importantly, the scares of the original in tact.
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