The horror game genre is filled with some of the most popular franchises in gaming. Series likeResident Evilhave been delivering scares and action in equal measure for years, andDead Spacecarved out its own niche in the space quickly. The original game was lauded by fans for its foreboding atmosphere and blend of horror elements reminiscent of classics likeThe ThingandAlien. Fans were treated to the reveal of aDead Spaceremake at the EA Play Live event today after rumors about the project circulated for months. Hopefully this return to the franchise will mark the beginning of a longer journey for fans.
The newtrailer for theDead Spaceremaketeased fans with a taste of what the classic will look like rebuilt from the ground up using the Frostbite Engine on next-gen consoles. The trailer didn’t reveal much, but showed off a glimpse at the cramped corridors of the Ishimura and protagonist Isaac Clarke. Mirroring the original trailer, it also featured a creepy rendition of the song “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” in the background, and a quick shot of the series' Necromorph enemies. Fans are excited about the game already, and are likely hoping that the release will spark new interest in futureDead Spaceprojects.
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If EA plans to bring a new version ofDead Spaceto fans, it’s likely it may be betting on a resurgence of the franchise. Even if it’s limited to remakes, more projects could be a big deal. The first two games are held in very high regard among fans and critics, especially in the horror genre. Blending a sci-fi environment that felt lived-in despite the horrific circumstances with an engaging lore that took inspiration from genre films likeEvent Horizonpaid off. That success is a big part of the excitement around theEA Play Live 2021 announcement.
The first twoDead Spacegames released at a time where many mainstream horror games had moved away from their survival roots in favor of higher-octane action that could take away from atmosphere. Taking more of an “everyman” approach to protagonist Isaac helped setDead Spaceapart from the pack by introducing tension that can only come from controlling a character who isn’t an absolute killing machine. Isaac certainly wasn’t helpless, but focusing too much on combat prowess was part of thebacklash againstDead Space 3. The third entry was by no means a bad game, but many fans felt that it had lost some of the appeal from the first two entries.
This is something that a continued return to the franchise could help to assuage.Dead Spacewon’t be as unique in the space this time around, as many popular horror franchises have embraced the tension that comes with a “weaker” protagonist.Dead Spacewill also have somedirect competition fromCallisto Protocol. This isn’t a bad things for fans however, as they’ll have access to multiple attempts at recapturing the original magic ofDead Space. This is why EA should take a serious look at continuing its legacy after theDead Spaceremake releases.
Remakes are incredibly popular right now, with games likeFF7 Remakedrawing enormous success and even rumored remakes likeKOTORgenerating buzz online. SeeingDead Space 2receive same treatment down the road is likely, especially if thisnext-genDead Spaceremakeis successful. But the potential for the franchise to continue in earnest would be the most exciting possibility for fans. It all remains to be seen based on how fans respond to theDead Spaceremake, but hopefully this is just the beginning of a resurgence for the classic franchise.
ADead Spaceremake is currently in development for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
