By Jason Nimer
In
a move Im hoping becomes the norm for all game developers, EA has jumped on the
iOS bandwagon. To go hand-in-hand with the companys highly anticipated space
horror sequel, Dead Space 2, a totally original Dead Space game has hit the
Apple App Store for iPhone and iPad users to enjoy. And this is no watered down
spin-off, either; the game feels and plays exactly like its console brothers.
But how does a title that depends on highly precise shooting and a general lack
of ammo translate to the unavoidably imprecise touch screen control scheme?
Lets get this out of the way first: Dead Space on the iPad is not a port of
the original Dead Space, nor of Dead Space 2, nor of any of the other spin-offs
that have popped up since the originals release. This is an entirely new Dead
Space story, and one serious fans will no doubt want to jump right into. It
follows Vandal, a man involved with the religion/cult alluded to in other
games in the series, and the eventual appearance of the necromorphs. The events
of this game lead up to the beginning of Dead Space 2 and provide some context
and background on the sequels story, which is a big incentive for fans eager to
gobble up every aspect of the series (there are two animated movies and two
downloadable spin-off games that illuminate the story as well). Though Ive yet
to play Dead Space 2, this games narrative did heighten my anticipation for its
release.
Its immediately obvious how much work went into making sure this game could
stand shoulder to shoulder with its console counterparts, visually anyway. Dead
Space on the iPad looks downright amazing, though the top spot for iOS graphical
prowess still belongs to Infinity Blade. The level of detail that EA has smashed
onto the iPad is stunning, and it is far better looking than most other iOS
games. The quiet space station works exactly like it did in the original Dead
Space, creating a level of tension and loneliness while constantly keeping you
moving forward to see whats next. Vandal and the necromorphs look equally
amazing, though some of the enemies have that blocky feel that comes from
straight lines overlaid with dynamic textures. While Ive often said that
graphics dont make a game great, Dead Space is a half-exception; if the game
wasnt as beautiful as it is, it would have had a hard time creating the
foreboding sensation that truly makes the game shine.
The sound design is equally fantastic. This is a game youre going to need a
good pair of headphones to appreciate. The games voice-over is well acted, and
the unseen radio voice pushing you forward acts as a narrator as well as a
guide. The game, like the original, uses dead silence to stir anxiety in the
player, with a musical score that rises and falls with the level of action on
the screen. Sound effects become an important part of the gameplay as jump out
scares are often coupled with an enemy scream or environmental noise, and stereo
headphones only serve to enhance the experience.
Dead Space runs into a small roadblock with its controls as they can take a
little getting used to. Youll move and look around with the dual stick (without
any sticks) setup, and it works pretty well, especially when moving right and
left. Tapping icons on the screen opens doors and picks up items, and this also
works just like it should. The trouble comes when you are forced into combat.
Like Gamelofts Zombie Infection and the Resident Evil 4 port, you must tap a
button to bring your weapon up, drag to aim and tap to fire. This is a little
clunky, especially in more intense sequences where youll need to move fast and
aim faster. Thankfully, this system does allow for very precise aiming, a must
when you consider the only way to kill a necromorph is by severing its limbs. To
be fair, the controls do become second nature after an hour or so, but even as
you become a master, youll be thinking that there was probably a better way to
handle Vandal. Haha. Rhyme.
Sorry about that. Anyway, Dead Space on the iPad plays just like the original
and its sequel. Its a third-person shooter at its core, and, interestingly,
relies more on shooting than the other games in the series. Yes, its still a
survival horror game with plenty of scares, but its got way more action than
most in the genre. There are times where you might feel things rely a little too
heavily on set piece moments, but the gameplay is solid and fun through the
entire 6-8 hour adventure. EA also managed to get the zero gravity actions into
the game, and the grabbing and flinging of weightless objects is immensely
satisfying on the iPads touch screen. Basically, Dead Space on the iPad
replicates everything that made the original console title so great.
Despite its somewhat steep price tag of $9.99, Dead Space deserves to be on
your iPad. This is as close to a full console experience as youll find on the
App Store, and you shouldnt miss out. Once you get the hang of things, youll
be hooked and unable to put the game down until its final moments. Thats how I
got this review out so fast.
Final Rating: 90%
