Dead Space 2: Isaac Is No Longer a Silent Protagonist

It's already common knowledge that Visceral will be giving Isaac Clarke a voice in the upcoming survival-horror sequel, Dead Space 2. Regardless of this being the case, it's still nice to hear about how the activation of Isaac's voice-box will make for some much-appreciated character development. The last thing anyone wants is for Isaac to become a trash-talking chatterbox. That doesn't seem to be the case, fortunately, according to Steve Papoutsis.

Review: Dead Space: Ignition

With Dead Space 2 on the horizon, Visceral Games and co-developer Sumo Digital decided to let eager fans in on a little "bonus" while awaiting the post-Christmas launch. That "bonus" is Dead Space: Ignition, a motion comic-styled puzzle game on Xbox Live Arcade and the PlayStation Network. I repeatedly quote "bonus" because it's more of a digital crime to the rock solid Dead Space brand, than any bonus I've ever received. The game is set at the high price of free for pre-orderers of Dead Space 2, and $4.99 (PSN) / 400 MSP (XBLA) for those holding out on their pre-order action.

Hands-On: Dead Space Extraction on the PlayStation Move

We clamor and cry how the Wii doesn't have enough hardcore titles, do we not? Dead Space: Extraction was EA's answer to this commonly complained of ailment. Serving as a prequel to the truly unique survival horror experience that was Dead Space, Extraction really took the stage with an exciting hardcore experience for the Wii. Now with Dead Space 2 on the horizon, Visceral Games is bringing the prequel for any PS3 gamers who missed out on Extraction by bundling it inside Limited Edition PS3 copies of Dead Space 2. I've been curious about if there are any differences, upgrades of how it played in general with the PlayStation Move, especially since I missed out on Extraction on the Wii. This week EA brought it to some New York gamers to get a chance to experience it for ourselves.

Impressions: Dead Space 2 Multiplayer Beta

One could say that the Dead Space series is Visceral Games' flagship. The team put a lot of work into the original title (which is one of my favorite games of all time), and they are showing the same if not a stronger dedication to the sequel Dead Space 2. That being said, there are still a few questions regarding the game's recently-announced multiplayer mode. Does it still feel like Dead Space? Is it scary? Above all, does it show the same polish players expect from the series, or does it merely feel tacked-on?

Dead Space 2 Multiplayer Invites Out in the Wild

Last night, EA and Visceral Games sent out to a select number of individuals to provide feedback on the multiplayer component of Dead Space 2. Beta players will have the opportunity to play with some of the development team, but we are assuming that more beta invites will be rolling out over the next couple of weeks for server stress tests and optimizations of the overall experience.

The beta is exclusive to the PlayStation 3 as of right now with no word if one will be for the Xbox 360 or PC. The game releases on January 25th, 2011, but if you want a chance at getting into the beta head over to their Facebook page.

Dead Space 2 Hands-On Preview

For those familiar with the original Dead Space, the sequel should feel no different. The controls feel a little tighter, the game seems to run smoother, and the visuals are fairly pretty. The HUD remains neatly packed away on Issac's back. The stores at which you buy, sell, and upgrade have returned, and the monsters are still disgustingly ugly and horrifying. So what is new and different with Dead Space 2?

Dead Space Expands into New Comic, Movie

At Comic Con 2010, during a panel called "Building a Horror Entertainment Franchise: Dead Space 2", EA and Visceral Games announced two new entries into the Dead Space franchise: Dead Space Aftermath and Dead Space Salvage. Keeping in line with the previous Dead Space tie-ins, Dead Space Aftermath is an animated feature film, and Dead Space Salvage is a graphic novel. Aftermath delves into the story behind the first-responder mission to Aegis VII, while Salvage tells the tale of a group of miners who discover the USG Ishimura.

EA Announces Dead Space Ignition, Arriving in the Fall

Today Electronic Arts announced that a prequel downloadable game for Dead Space 2 will be releasing this fall. The prequel titled Dead Space Ignition will feature events that unfolded in-between the original Dead Space and Dead Space 2. Being co-developed by Sumo Digital, the upcoming downloadable game will take place on the Sprawl and will be a “choose your own adventure” type narrative with an interactive comic book style.

A Brief Look At Gaming Tie-Ins

Lately we have seen a renaissance of gaming tie-ins. Tie-ins can include movies, comic books, novels, and even television series. Big publishers like wringing every cent they can from a popular IP, and thankfully this will often bring fans some extra material about the universes that we've fallen in love with. They aren't always done well, but I would argue that there is an increasing movement towards hiring quality writers and artists for these projects, and it has made for some fantastic tie-ins. This will be but a brief overview of a few of the better ones from recent games, with possibly more to come in the future as I expand my own collection.

Editorial: A Menagerie of Multiplayer Modes

My game is best played in a pitch black room with the soft glow of my television piercing the darkness. The battle cries of obnoxious ten-year-olds do not tear through my eardrums. I do not waste time with team members who have no desire to play correctly or fairly. Silence and solitude are freedom; gateways to platinum trophies, 100% completion, and a committed relationship with the game in the disc tray. So why am I forced to venture into the sordid world of multiplayer whenever a new release beckons to me from the wild of the retail storefront? (more...)