Dead Space Dev Edition: Swag in the Box Makes Me Jittery (But in a Good Way)…

Posted on January 16, 2013 by geelw

You’d think the dev team at Visceral Games would totally wiped out after working on Dead Space 3 for so long to even think getting together to cram a bunch of cool stuff into an awesome collector’s edition,but here you go. From what I played last year, the co-op is pretty impressive and innovative (trust me, it’s a total mind f#@k when one player is seeing stuff the other isn’t and is freaking out while you’re not) and overall, it looks as if Visceral has gone and done it once again. I;m in this for the solo play, but if you were worried about the co-op being shoved in to appease EA or whatever, feel free to kick yourself gently, as it works (and yup, the game is still scary when it needs to be). As for what’s in that big ol’ box? Go on ahead and watch the video. I’m just wanting the game itself (PS3 version, as my 360’s are dead) but my oh my, that bonus stuff just may tempt me back over to the dark side. I just need to find the shelf space (which is kind of non-existent at this point)…

"Your Mom Hates Dead Space 2" TV Spot Is Just Plain Right And Wrong Simultaneously

Posted on January 19, 2011 by geelw

http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/nKkPFDEiC6Q?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0

Well.. it IS kind of funny and yes, I actually saw a non-gaming journalist have a similar reaction to the multiplayer mode while I was playing it at the last Sony event I attended (he’s not into “scary stuff”). So, on THAT front, it’s a brilliant ad.

On the other hand (Devil’s Advocate cap on), I can see this ad being used by the anti-gaming crowd that thinks EA is clearly targeting children under 18 with Dead Space 2 and any other M-rated games they publish, which may force EA to deal with “news” outlets merely looking to rake them over the coals unfairly (and once again, if you remember the stupid controversy around Mass Effect two years ago). These folks have less of a sense of humor than a jar of pickles (and about eight times as much vinegar in their veins), so giving them this “gift” as more anti-game ammo might backfire a little too much. So, on THAT front, the ad is a giant “WTF were they thinking?”

Thoughts?

Either way, the game will sell, as there’s not really such a thing as “bad” publicity these days…

Dead Space 2 Multiplayer Hands-On: A Visceral Experience, Indeed

Posted on December 19, 2010 by geelw

As if the thrills, chills and very bloody spills of Issac Clarke's upcoming single player adventures in The Sprawl weren't enough, Visceral Games is tweaking Dead Space 2 with a rather interesting multiplayer component that can be somewhat accurately described as tactical run & gun meets Left 4 Dead. I'll admit to being initially skeptical that any sort of online multiplayer modes added to this decidedly story-driven horror action franchise would be nothing more than another excuse for loudmouthed losers to run around shooting each other in the head while yelling all sorts of M-rated insults. However, I'm indeed thankful to report that I was proven dead wrong.

At Sony's Holiday 2010 event last week, I got to go a few rounds with the multiplayer demo and was very impressed by the experience. What's here is fun, fast, frantic and frequently freakish, thanks to the back and forth player swapping that takes place during matches.

EA Fires Up Dead Space Ignition For Free (sort of…)

Posted on October 11, 2010 by geelw

So, does EA love you or what? The good thing about the prequel (Dead Space Ignition) in my book is it's a multi-platform download. No Dead Rising Case Zero stuff here, folks. Er, then again… PS3 owners are getting their hands on an HD remake of Dead Space Extraction, as part of Dead Space 2 Limited Edition (or on PSN as DLC) but heck, you really don't want to play that game hands-free anyway, right? Press release below, by the way…

Dead Space Extraction (PS3) Hands-On

Posted on October 8, 2010 by geelw

At EA's well-packed Naughty or Nice event, I finally got to play a small chunk of the PS3 version of Dead Space Extraction, last year's Wii rail shooter (and one of the best looking games for Nintendo's console to date) headed to PS3 owners as part of Dead Space 2: Limited Edition. Visceral Games along with super-talented developer Eurocom (Goldeneye 007) have done an excellent job porting over their game to Sony's console, adding Playstation Move support and effective Dolby Surround sound to go along with the higher resolution visuals. In case you haven't played Extraction previously, all you need to know is that it's the prequel to the original Dead Space and features a compelling story, some intriguing characters and fast-paced gameplay that's packed full of Necromorphs coming at you from every conceivable direction.

Gallery Update: Dead Space 2

Posted on August 23, 2010 by geelw

Four lovely new Gamescom screens from EA and Visceral’s upcoming sci-fi/horror smash. Issac is back and he’s got a bunch of new “friends” that all want to play not so nicely. These shots are tame compared to the jump under your seat scary demo build, but hey – this means I can run them here and not get shot at by the ESRB… enjoy!

Preview: Dead Space 2 Hands-On

Posted on July 25, 2010 by geelw

“Disturbingly spectacular” were the first two things I thought of upon seeing Dead Space 2 in action and after playing through the demo build, let’s just say that Visceral Games is going to be responsible for a lot of wet couches and floors when the game finally ships early next year. The demo was both fantastic to look at and great, challenging fun that had the small area always packed with editor-types crowded around watching other play as they waited their turn. As great as the original was, Visceral is going all out to insure that the sequel is even more cinematic without pulling players out of the action.

Continue reading →

Get A Little Bit Of Dead Space 2 In Your Inbox…

Posted on June 8, 2010 by geelw

EA’s Dead Space Community is offering up a chance for members to get an early peek at the sequel to the great sci-fi/horror hybrid. Just click on over to the game’s official site, sign up if you haven’t already and watch your inbox until June 14, when you’ll get a nice little email with a slice of exclusive DS2 community-only footage enclosed. Simple, huh?

Yeah, an actual demo code or demo disc would be even better at some point in the near future (note to EA: hint, hint…), but you can’t argue with the free part, right?

Review: Dead Space Extraction

Posted on October 6, 2009 by geelw

Platform: Nintendo Wii

Developer: Eurocom

Publisher: EA

# of Players: 1 – 2

ESRB Rating: M (Mature)

Official Site

Score: A

In case you’re staring at that cover art and wondering (raised eyebrow and all), Dead Space Extraction works brilliantly on the Wii as both a solid horror game as well as a technical showpiece for Visceral Games and Eurocom. This “guided FPS experience” as it’s been dubbed manages to be scary as hell, spectacular to look and absolutely nails it in terms of the aural assault. In terms of story, the game dishes up an excellent prequel to the events in the PS3/360/PC horror hit Dead Space packed with some great emotional moments that make the original game’s plot all the more poignant. Of course, if you don’t have a PS3 or 360 and your PC can’t run Dead Space, all of this may mean nothing. However, what’s here is certainly solid enough that I could see a few formerly Wii-only gamers eyeballing a new console just to catch up on the first game’s descent into sci-fi themed fear.

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Today: Live Dead Space Extraction Demo/Dev Commentary/Q & A!

Posted on September 29, 2009 by geelw

How’s this for fan service? Just in time for today’s launch of the Wii-exclusive Dead Space Extraction, Visceral Games is hosting an hour-long live webcast featuring gameplay demos of the cinematic sci-fi horror/action hybrid along with a Q & A session with members of the game’s development team that you (yes, you) can be a part of. The fun begins at 12 noon, PST (that’s 3pm Eastern Time if you’re in New York), so click away on that link above and enjoy the show.