Dead Space is a pretty good game provided you have patience and can tolerate a few problems.
However, before you start and get too comfortable, there are problems with the port. The port lacks a good anti-aliasing feature, and as a result the jagged edges take away from what could be outstanding graphics. Also, before you play; make sure vertical sync is turned off, as it drops the game down to 30 FPS and it messes the controls up. Make sure your mouse sensitivity is turned up high before you play or just plug in a game pad, as it is probably easier. Ensure those are done, and at least it'll make the experience a bit more tolerable.
The graphics are fantastic. Dead Space is a great looking game. One thing I really admire in this game is the lighting, as it really adds up to the whole uncomfortable atmosphere the game is trying to portray. However, the game would've been way better if a better anti-aliasing feature was added into this game. It would've made a big difference. Despite the lack of AA though, it still succeeds in making the environments look fantastic and compliment the unsettling atmosphere this game tries to portray.
One thing you can count this game on is its ability to tell a good story and deliver a good atmosphere. The game keeps you interested and does a good job at it, and it's fun too. In my opinion, this game has probably the best story in every game I have played. The storyline, the plot and the characters are very unpredictable, so you always go through the game not knowing what happens next. The little amount of characters in this game adds to the creepy atmosphere of this game. When the characters talk to you, you feel comfortable knowing that somebody out there has your back so you do get attached to the characters. And that in my opinion, is part of what makes an excellent game.
Though the atmosphere and story are fantastic, I found the controls and the gameplay elements themselves a little lacking. The controls for one, are slow and sluggish. It takes forever to get Isaac to turn around for example. It can even get you killed in some situations when a enemy is behind you and it can get very annoying seeing Isaac being torn to pieces for the one thousandth time.
The gameplay is pretty simple. You roam around the ship completing missions to progress through the game. There are chests to collect items in such as ammo and med kits, and you can also get them from slaying the numerous amount of necromorphs that are out to get you. Occasionally there will be puzzles to solve, such as moving a power adapter to a different outlet to get an elevator working or using your telekinesis module to move objects around to unlock doors and such.
You will go to many parts of the ship such as the conservatory/food storage (Hydroponics), the bridge, the engine room and many more. The necromorphs you find in those areas vary and each type has different powers. There are slashing necromorphs that have blades at the ends of their arms, there are ones with long tails that they can whip you with and so on.
There is even a store in the game that allows you to upgrade your RIG suit and buy new weapons. There is a little amount of weapons in this game (only about 7 or 8) but there is still a variety with weapons such as the plasma cutter, the line gun, the pulse rifle, the ripper, the contact beam and the force gun. There are stations also located throughout the game that allow you to upgrade your weapons and RIG suit using power nodes which are located in distinct cabinets throughout the game. Those power nodes can also be used to open doors to storage rooms which contain lots of ammo and med kits.
The game isn't perfect though. There is a little variety in the missions and objectives to be completed. Pretty much all of the missions involve you being "Mr. Repairman". By this I mean every mission has you fixing something, refueling engines, enabling devices, and problems such as that. I understand that the game was designed as a repair mission (that is why you're on the ship). However, it would have been nice if they added a little more variety.
Some of the missions as well as some of the action scenes feel tacked on without a second thought and as a result it makes the game feel longer than necessary, as such content does nothing for the story. The game can annoy you fast, especially if you are a story junkie and just want to see what happens next(like me).
Last but not least. Though this game delivers a creepy and unsettling atmosphere, it is by no means scary, other than a few cheap "jump" scares. If you are a fan of horror and like a scary, terrifying game, then your interests would be better met elsewhere as the game relies too much on cheap scares and "jump" tactics for it to be a truly terrifying game. The amount of crap jumping out at you randomly occurs so often to the point it becomes very predictable. If you are easily scared, the game may get you in a few spots but I personally found the horror elements to be very predictable and very cheap.
Overall, Dead Space is a game worth buying despite its problems. If you like a good story, then this is the game for you as its story is easily the best aspect of the game.
I am looking forward to buying the sequel in a couple days. I am really excited to know what crap Isaac gets himself into this time!