Dead Space 3 (Xbox 360)

Single player review. 10 hrs into the game.I'm thinking back to some earlier sections of the game and wondering just how much I actually missed. There were doors that required certain tools - that I was not in possession of, and even a derelict ship that I steered away from although it was an option for possible exploration. My thoughts on Dead Space 3 are positive and it is quite a big game if you are thinking of exploring every potential nook and cranny. There is a lot going on to begin with so no epic moments stand out in my head, as you are seemingly thrown from one spectacular event into another. It certainly distracts the senses.If you are not new to the franchise, which began back in 2008, then I'll say outright "yes. this entry has tension, thrills and lots of combat. it is everything that a Dead space game should be."Obviously, given the fact that this is the conclusion of the series (for the moment), there is not a great deal of mystery left. At the start you are treated to a "previously on dead space...." intro and it brings you completely up to speed on the Markers and the Necromorphs, helping to fill the blanks if you are rusty in regards to the back story. Of course, Isaac Clarke, the protagonist is still up to the task of killing anything that moves and very quickly you are thrust into the action as a war between the Unitologists and the remaining military kicks off.You'll quickly get into the swing of shooting, stomping and checking areas for much needed ammo and health supplies. The human foes that come into your path are refreshing but not before long do the Necro's rear their ugly heads and the tension begins to crank up. Tight corners, rooms with multiple obstacles to block your chances of getting into a decent fighting position and enemies springing up infront and behind mean that you are constantly bumped out of your comfort zone. And just when you think it's safe....it isnt.I think the developers have carried the torch very well for this game. It is more of what the fans want...and their is a lot of meat on the bone here. You'll find yourself on a fast moving train, fighting off armed resistance and a gunship, you'll fight for your life aboard a space ship as it enters a minefield and you are thrust into the depths of space to help the crew survive.And there are other distractions for you to undertake here. Optional side quests for example. When you finally reach space you are tasked with a number of things to do...but at some point you unlock a handy ship that will move you around key areas of a long-forgotten flotilla of ancient vessels. Here you can opt to continue with the main quest (which I will not spoil) or you can look to explore and loot some of the other ships for vital supplies and kit. You can, as in Dead space 2, float around in space, boost here and there and salvage what you can from the junk heaps that have accumulated. And it does feel epic...and isolated....and pretty scary. Space is a strange and wonderful place but a house full of evil and malice. This is Dead space after all.One element I really like is the salvage part and weapon customization. Every creature you kill, every corner you search and every secret stash will give you materials. Scrap metal, tungsten etc etc You can even find a salvage bot that can be set down in any area you choose, and it will after a period of time, return to a work bench with the loot. This stuff can be used to construct any weapon you can think of. As you go along you will find parts as well that define whether you will have a plasma spitting shotgun or a multiple round firing assault rife (with a flamethrower slung to the bottom if thats what you want).Finding the perfect multipurpose weapon is a game in itself. You'll be itchin to try out as many combinations as possible and the abundance of Necromorphs makes this extremely satisfying indeed.I know that the rest of this game is just going to be...brilliant. Although my review is not of a completed game I hope it helps you all make your minds up.(Review update)Well I've put another 8 hrs in and even now the climax of the game is still somewhere in the distance. I just wanted to comment on the planet side of the game. Tau Volantis.This icy world really does add to the sense overwhelming dread of the whole experience. Snow storms, howling winds, Necromorphs jumping up out of the snow to maul you. I do not know whether it was intentional but some of the setting reminds me of the Thing, by John Carpenter. Blood on snow.This game is so much bigger than Dead Space 2. I literally spent a couple of hours on a side mission, which wasn't even required to progress any of the main campaign, but I did earn some new upgrades for my arsenal.Over time, and due to the fact that you face a lot of Necro's, the shock-horror value does slightly diminish but believe me, when you have zero visibility and all you can hear is the howling and moaning of a fast moving monster...it still freaks you out, especially if you use a turtle beach headset to increase the quality of the in game sounds.One thing that is really interesting is the background story of the outpost on the planet. You will find many audio logs detailing, what would be, humanity's last stand against the monsters. Very Aliens and the Thing, definitely. Of course you can also see first hand how that turned out with the decor on many of the floors and walls of the facility.I really do not want this game to end just yet but seriously buy it!

I am so pleased with EA Redwood. finally a game with a very good sequel and it just keepsgetting better with the creepy, scary, sick and utterly disturbing stuff...mu-hahhahahahahahahaha - yeah as if I would be able to stare at a ded body and not think it will turn into a necro.the major bonus of this 3rd instalment is the co-op feature. people love it when the gaming industry listen to them and EA Redwood have that. i have played flawless co-op campaign and single campaign.new weapons? well more like modifications of the old favourites which for me are sorely missed here. so let me list my pros and conspros:new suits, new characters to interact with, sneak peek at what happens to Isaac and Ellie after the Saturn moon is left devastated by earth gov involvement with marker technew weird enemies or variations of the old enemiesco-op play.intriguing optional missions to stray from the objective for a while.new environment - ice planet!!! more dangers better than malfunctioning slide doors and crawling into vents DIE HARD style (I miss that)new puzzles and mind games - yeah!!! we wall like to scratch our heads how to stop this or start that whiled cutting, slashing, ripping, shooting T'King projectiles at enemies.cons:there are no save points where you can walk up to the machine and save it all. why? because we are (spolier) on a planet colony which is a 200 year old human colony and the technology there is backward so checkpoints are saved COD/GOW style automatically. so if you thought you would walk up to a save point and save your nightmares for later????!!! heads up!!! it will restart at start of check point despite how far you have gone through the maze of hell. is it a glitch or do Redwood just love to sit there and imagine the look on your face when you realise you gotta do it from the start! lol - i'd be laughing but since i am the one who is going through hell to come out blood stained and swearing at every shadow in my living room, i have a right to moan but such is life.No nodal upgrades! as explained 200 year old colony so back then they used circuits not nanotech nodes to upgrade tools and weapons. but as you go through the demonic terror that unveils twist after twist you find 'em handy at reducing your enemies to shreds - oh what fun it is to see them die an agonising death knowing they'd have love to chew you and spit you out to become one of them!!!the lighting some how causes headaches and sore vision - not me but my girlfriend experienced this and my co-op partner who has been gaming since the days when we had to get out of the house to play with a big 2 dimensional game machine (80's stuff with big nobs and all) - so beware for your health and safety and to maintain your sanity and stop you from becoming a "necro killing psycho-path" to all living things around you - get out and get a life; dude get some lady action and girls do whatever you do to keep your sanity. otherwise game on hard core like me and many other crazies out there - muhahahhaahahahahSUMMARYi don't need to say this one I believe is for the fans. If you a resident evil sort of player or zombie nut case then you might like the co-op. the fans will love to play together and chat all dead space nonsense and like who should direct the DS motion picture (John Carpenter!!! please!!!) for the lone wolf, the single player is your ultimate ride on the hardest difficulty where if you get wacked by the necro you will be sent back to the very beginning!!! worse than 3 strikes you're out and back on first base (may be I got the first base thing wrong)not having a reliable save point is a bummer but if you're gonna be realistic then yes 200 year old colony never had save points built those days - that I understand and give 10/10 for continuity.no nodes so you have to build weapons from stuff you picked up - that means no line gun mines for alt fire. you will have e.g line gun as upper tool and maybe shot gun as lower tool. They have turned into a horror soldier film by the looks and feel - then again it is a military base this moon you suffer on.Personally I love it!!! and am happy about it. by the looks of the ending credits... there should be a tie in game DLC or another DS4. enough said