I intended to write a formal and architecturally solemn review of Dead Space. With the second title in this popular sci-fi horror series released just a few days ago, I figured this might be the perfect opportunity to introduce myself to Isaac Clarke's outer space misadventures, right from the start. Now, still heavily fueled by adrenaline after a 14 hour playthrough of hell, I'm back to tell you all about it. Welcome aboard the U.S.G. Ishimura, the place where video game nightmares come true.

The U.S.G. Ishimura is a massive interstellar spacecraft created with the purpose of mining entire planets and moons. One of the first things you'll notice about Dead Space is the designer's effort to provide a strong feel of authenticity. The Ishimura's internal architecture is detailed and consistent, with plausible locations and dusty corridors that convey the sense of being in a believable heavy mining space station.

Needless to say, things have gone terribly wrong by the time you set foot on the ship. Following a complete communications breakdown during an expedition to the remote planet Aegis VII, a small rescue vessel is dispatched to investigate the situation. Engineer Isaac Clarke is part of the rescue team, eager to meet his girlfriend Nicole Brennan, a Senior Medical Officer aboard the Ishimura. Unfortunately, what appeared to be a simple maintenance mission soon becomes a desperate fight for survival as the mining station has become infested with all kinds of horrific, seemingly alien creatures referred to as necromorphs.

Dead Space is undeniably influenced by a number of iconic sci-fi horror films. The storyline follows a similar premise to Event Horizon but it's the atmosphere of the spaceship, with its eerie corridors, multiple decks and subsections that will remind you of masterpieces such as Alien (the Nostromo) and Aliens (the colony). The soundtrack is also evocative of Jerry Goldsmith's score composed for Ridley Scott's '79 movie. As for the creepy monsters, they are clearly inspired by Rob Bottin's gruesome creations for John Carpenter's The Thing, meaning they're ugly, scary, and are always happy to see you.

Great as it is, Dead Space is not without its flaws. Despite featuring a compelling main character, the strong emphasis on action means you don't get to know him in greater depth. Isaac Clarke never talks and the interaction with other humans is minimal. The game's mechanic is also somewhat contrived, with a couple of supporting characters telling you what to do as you progress through a series of chapters or levels – an unnecessary segmentation of an otherwise continuous experience.

Several elements come together to make Dead Space such a tense and disturbing experience. The visuals are excellent even by today's standards and they benefit greatly from the meticulous lighting and sound effects that enhance the dark and unsettling atmosphere of the ship's interiors. There are enough cheap horror movie scares to keep you on your toes but it's the finer, more subtle passages that provide the most memorable moments. Sometimes, the simple shadow of a passing necromorph or the startling sound of a metallic object falling nearby is enough to make you go paranoid for an entire section. You never feel safe or in control of the events that surround you, a disquieting sensation that is augmented by the fact that the main protagonist isn't your regular video game super space soldier but an ordinary man.

In the end, Dead Space may not be the most original piece of sci-fi fiction but it provides an unforgettable thrill-ride and a well balanced emotional experience. If you have an interest in sci-fi horror and the stomach to deal with an overload of shocking graphic violence, this is the game for you. And as long as Dead Space 2 fixes a few minor issues and provides better character development and interaction, it may just be one of the greatest gaming experiences of the year. I'll be playing it in the near future and I'll share my thoughts here on the blog. If I survive, that is…

This article was originally posted on Nowherescape.