Could have been...

User Rating: 4 | Dead Space (2008) PC
I love wierd ass shooters. BioShock, System Shock 2, Far Cry, F.E.A.R.... I've played them all. I had very high hopes for Dead Space.

It is a great idea, a great concept, but there are WAY too many detractions to make it truly enjoyable. Let's start with the unmappable keys. I HATE WASB controls and every time you try to remap them it goes back to default. Add in the "checkpoint" save system, where you can't save anywhere except at set save points, mix in a VERY odd 3/4 "over-the-shoulder" POV, and you have the formula for an extremely distracting game. So distracting, that you actually lose the point of the game. All of your concentration is on working your way through these road blocks, rather than actually enjoying the experience of playing the game. Health stations are way too few and far betweem considering the frequency of morph attacks, and your inventory is way too small to carry all of the items you need. You're allowed 4 weapons and required to use things like Stasis and Kinesis modules, but there isn't enough room to carry what you need to make them work.

It's a game that had a great concept on the drawing board, that didn't quite make it onto the playing field.


[EDIT]

I've played this game for several more hours since my first review and the more I play it, the more I hate it. Lack of health packs and a cornucopia of unkillable morphs results in death/restart, death/restart, repeat ad nauseum. I'm playing this game on EASY!!!!!!!!!!!