Game Review: Dead Space 2

Dead Space 2 pits human against zombie space mutants. Photo / Supplied

Zombie space mutants - or Necromorphs as they're known in the sequel to stunning Dead Space - are a bit like hard work, not to mention quite terrifying.

The game picks up after Isaac Clarke has finished blasting his way through several ships of heavily-mutated crew members as he battles to unlock the mysteries of the mysterious Marker. Now, three years on, he has woken with amnesia in a straightjacket on Titan, a moon of Saturn. He's in a city called the Sprawl, overrun by Necromorphs.

Thankfully Isaac actually talks this time around. The collection of enemies has increased, adding acid-spewing Pukers, disturbing giant-clawed children, and sneaky fast-moving, pack-hunting Stalkers that force serious tactical play.

It's heading more towards third person shooter this time, without sacrificing the cringe-inducing horror that made the original so scary.

This means the game moves more quickly, with tons of pick-ups if you spend a bit of extra time looking around. Ammo is reasonably plentiful, and the plasma cutter and devastating line gun the most effective combat tools.

Rather than enemies revealing pop-ups as soon as they expire, there are plentiful extras to be found if you "corpse stomp" the bodies. Environments vary from hospital wards to malls and even a church - a level packed full of demon babies and offering enough blood, guts and mutant body parts to earn the R18 sticker alone.

Its 1080i high-def graphics are outstanding, whether it's the environment, well-rendered cutscenes, or groups of wildly-slashing Necromorphs. The only thing that could add more fear to the title would be 3D.

There is the odd irritating thing in Dead Space 2, but nothing to really detract from its brutal and frightening intent - occasionally picked-up items disappear when you enter somewhere that they're obviously supposed not to go.

Verdict: This is a worthy sequel to a great game, that speeds up the play with more of a fight focus, while hanging on to its terrifying survival horror vibe and keeping the adrenalin well and truly flowing. A challenging, chilling must-play for shooter and horror fans.