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[MrOogieBoogie]

I had zero interest in this game after being somewhat lukewarm on the first one, but I picked it up during a Steam sale for $5 and have been playing it recently. I'm enjoying it quite a bit more than the first, to be honest. I mostly appreciate the environmental variety: there are some seriously beautiful areas in the game. All of them enhanced by the lighting, of course, which continues to blow me away.

An example of what I mean.

I'm playing the game maxed out on PC and it runs so smoothly. Screens don't do this one justice.

I started on Zealot and am now halfway through Chapter 13. Up until Chapter 10 (which was amazing, btw) the game's been a cakewalk using nothing but the Plasma Cutter, Line Gun, and Force Gun, but Jesus Christ the difficulty has ramped up in chapters 10 and on thanks to all the goddamn enemies. These seemingly infinite spawn rooms are really getting annoying, and they're reminding me why the first game pissed me off.

Should be done with it very soon. All in all, the game really surprised me. I think it's better than Dead Space in nearly every way.

 

[Sohter.Nura]

I played the first one halfway through and lost interest. I don't find the game scary as I find it more nerve-wrecking than anything else.

How many chapters does the game have, I can't remember?

I know that at some point in the game there are infinite enemies and some thing following you that regenerates (should I spoiler this?), and from that point on, you just ignore and dodge everything, it's the easiest thing to do

I actually find the infinite enemy area the easiest in the game.

 

[MrOogieBoogie]

I played the first one halfway through and lost interest. I don't find the game scary as I find it more nerve-wrecking than anything else.

How many chapters does the game have, I can't remember?

I know that at some point in the game there are infinite enemies and some thing following you that regenerates (should I spoiler this?), and from that point on, you just ignore and dodge everything, it's the easiest thing to do

I actually find the infinite enemy area the easiest in the game.

That does spoil it for me, but meh, I don't care.

I think there are 15 chapters in the game, so I'm near the end.

 

[scitek]

I started on Zealot and am now halfway through Chapter 13. Up until Chapter 10 (which was amazing, btw) the game's been a cakewalk using nothing but the Plasma Cutter, Line Gun, and Force Gun, but Jesus Christ the difficulty has ramped up in chapters 10 and on thanks to all the goddamn enemies. These seemingly infinite spawn rooms are really getting annoying, and they're reminding me why the first game pissed me off.

Should be done with it very soon. All in all, the game really surprised me. I think it's better than Dead Space in nearly every way.

Rush through the rooms toward the end. You're supposed to and too many people try to clear them instead and get pissed off.

Also, the Isaac/Nicole relationship is underappreciated. /whore (Spoilers BTW)

 

[Sohter.Nura]

I remember that in the latter parts of the game they start sending rooms that are not filled with infinite enemies, but damn did they feel like it. And you'd clear up the room, walk a few steps towards the next thing, and find out they'd place an enemy much later to come from behind on you :lol

I think all I need now is a hardcore trophy to platinum it... it really wasn't that hard of a game.

 

[MrOogieBoogie]

Well, I haven't actually encountered any infinitely spawning rooms; it's just that every other room I enter lately I'm bombarded by so many enemies they may as well be infinite.

 

[BadData]

To me, this game was incredibly underrated. The presentation is really, really polished, and there are some very cool and original ideas in the combat and character progression. There's some cool "variety" moments here and there, like with the zero-g. And it has probably the best first minute of any game I've experienced in the past two years.

I also wasn't that into the first one. They really refined their formula: definitely give this game a shot if you haven't.

 

[Sohter.Nura]

Well, I haven't actually encountered any infinitely spawning rooms; it's just that every other room I enter lately I'm bombarded by so many enemies they may as well be infinite.

Yep! I remember :lol

Great game, actually. Had a lot of fun with it.

 

[GQman2121]

The visuals (and the audio for that matter) were never a problem. They're both quite impressive. It was the bland game design and narrative that turned me off to the original. I beat it and eventually went back and unlocked the platinum trophy, but I never understood why so many people raved like it was some huge accomplishment for this generation.

 

[GrotesqueBeauty]

Visually and mechanically Dead Space 2 refined everything that was great about the first one, but the level design was uniformly worse (with the exception of the

Spoiler

church level

.) Way too many random enemy gauntlets, and the placement wasn't as well thought out or varied as the first. By the end I more than had my fill of "one more" enemy popping out after already taking down multiple waves. On a related note I felt the the pacing was worse- something that was magnified by the shitty overwrought narrative which made it a chore to replay. At least the original Dead Space knew when to back off and let the gameplay do the talking. Oh, and the bosses, or lack thereof. I'm sick of brainless "epic" QTEs, and it was disappointing that during most of the most visually intense moments you're stuck sort of passively mashing a button. DS2 is still a great standalone game, but the first was just a more cohesive experience imo. I'd love it if Dead Space 3 combined the more suspenseful atmosphere and smart level design of the first with improved combat mechanics and scale of the second, but given the tidbits of information I've heard I'm bracing for another more-is-better sequel.

 

[NotTheGuyYouKill]

One of my favourite games of the last few years. It's art direction and technical direction combined make it such a beautiful game.

Rush through the rooms toward the end. You're supposed to and too many people try to clear them instead and get pissed off.

Also, the Isaac/Nicole relationship is underappreciated. /whore (Spoilers BTW)

I agree. The Isaac/Nicole relationship was really well-done. Well-written and very well-acted by Wright and Clarke. Good song in that video.

I'd love it if Dead Space 3 combined the more suspenseful atmosphere and smart level design of the first with improved combat mechanics and scale of the second, but given the tidbits of information I've heard I'm bracing for another more-is-better sequel.

Well, if Dead Space 3 is indeed doing the 'Thing'-esque atmosphere as rumoured, you might be in luck.

 

[Replicant]

The only series EA hasn't fucked up yet. *fingers crossed* Don't you dare ruin Dead Space 3, EA!

 

[NotTheGuyYouKill]

The only series EA hasn't fucked up yet. *fingers crossed* Don't you dare ruin Dead Space 3, EA!

I trust in Visceral.

But if EA meddles with it and tries to mess with it...

Blood will be shed and limbs will be dismembered.

 

[sn00zer]

Visceral would make an amazing Resident Evil....Dead Space is more Resident Evil then either RE4 or 5

 

[NotTheGuyYouKill]

Visceral would make an amazing Resident Evil....Dead Space is more Resident Evil then either RE4 or 5

What? I love Dead Space with all my heart, but it's mechanically pretty much just a much improved Resident Evil 4.

Unless you meant tone/narrative?

 

[ThatCrazyGuy]

just started this the other day. Loving it so far. Its been more tense than scary so far.

 

[Beerman462]

I love the Dead Space universe. Dead Space one was really good, but Dead Space 2 was much more fun.

 

[codecow]

I liked this game a lot,

 

[InsaneLuchador]

Love these games so much. One of my favorite series of this generation. The sequel really pushed the formula.

 

[Rubixcuba]

I found DS2 to be a pretty big disappointment compared to the first, which I adored. I got it a few months after release so I'm glad I didn't pay full price.

I couldn't understand why all of a sudden Issac could talk, imagine if you gave Link or Gordon Freeman a complete voice out of the blue. It just bugged me, sounds strange, but I enjoyed him being a silent protagonist. Asides from that, the scares got worse and predictable. I felt like a powerful space marine most of the time too, turning the game into more of an action/adventure. I think they tried to hard to make Nicole scary as well, she just falls flat and becomes comical.

Although I agree about the lighting, so good.

/small rant

 

[clemenx]

I didn't like either of the Dead Space games (played PC versions) Which is a shame because they do look great but I just found them very boring.

 

[Replicant]

After I saw the new PROMETHEUS trailer I suddenly have the urge to replay Dead Space 2.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0WUpsErUBA

 

[s7evn]

I'm also LTTP and loving the game on the PC. The first one on the xbox was alright in providing me nervous breakdowns, but this one with headphones is driving me crazy. I'm still a little disappointed at the same jump scare tactics where you see the vents the enemies will jump out of and you know what's coming. It just seems a lot like the first, which isn't a terrible thing.

Overall though, the sound design is really good at freaking me out and I LOVE IT.

 

[Majanew]

Freaking love Dead Space! Did multiple play-throughs of both games. Easily two of the best games this generation and all-time. Please don't screw up the third game.

 

[The Xtortionist]

Great game, and I don't understand the complaints about enemy spam near the end. Dead Space combat is amazingly fun - the more enemies the better.

 

[Persona7]

I need to replay this.

I actually bought a retail copy of the PC version, cheaply...Does it require any sort of online activation? I want to play it on my Desktop but the Ethernet interface burned out and I don't know when the new card is going to arrive.


EDIT :
Damn it, I just looked at the box and it does say I need a internet connection. Guess I am waiting!

 

[MuddyDonut]

I disliked the first game, but I have heard people disliking the first, actually liking the second. I think I might give this one a chance...

 

[ctrayne]

.

 

[JaseC]

I've been meaning to play this for yonks (bought it on the PS3 upon release, and bought it again on Steam during a sale). I thoroughly enjoyed the original.

 

[sixghost]

Was extremely disappointed with how reliant they were on jump scares in the sequel. There were definitely a few in Dead Space, but I feel like that game relied more on building up tension through sounds and the environment more.

Multiple times, there were literally just apartment doors that existed for no reason other than to have a monster burst through once you crossed the invisible trigger point. All the dead-nicole hallucination stuff seemed was really dumb as well.

The original is one of my favorite games, and I couldn't even make it through this.

 

[Mattiator]

Played through it 4 times, loved it every time, great game...

 

[NotTheGuyYouKill]

After I saw the new PROMETHEUS trailer I suddenly have the urge to replay Dead Space 2.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0WUpsErUBA

Space/alien horror is the best horror. Alien, The Thing, Event Horizon, Dead Space... love these.

Prometheus looks killer. Just so visually spectacular, art design, production design, it is fucking gorgeous.

 

[Semblance]

Really loved the environments, particularly the

Spoiler

nursery and mall,

although I wish I could have explored more of the latter. The lighting, as has been mentioned, was incredible as well. Thought the game itself wore out rather quickly though. A stream of aliens falling out of vents or busting through doors, occasionally interrupted by sudden loud cutscenes or QTEs. I dunno. I don't think it's a bad game, I at least finished it so there was something to it that clicked for me, but I wasn't really impressed outside of its looks.

Javelin gun was pretty cool though!

 

[SuperJay]

Easily two of my favorite games from the last 10 years, although I have slightly fonder memories of DS1. Incredibly immersive, beautiful graphics, phenomenal sound design, and great, albeit repetitive, gameplay. My only (minor) gripe is with the story. Instead of coming up with something brand new, it seems like they just jammed every space-horror sci-fi into one franchise. It's not a terrible story; it just doesn't feel particularly original.

 

[Air Zombie Meat]

I liked the bit when the necromorph came out of the vent

 

[luxarific]

do you guys think we'll see any info re DS3 this year?

 

[NotTheGuyYouKill]

do you guys think we'll see any info re DS3 this year?

I'm hoping for at least a nice teaser trailer at E3. Like, the reveal trailer for DS2 with the splashes of ink/necromorphs, snippets of dialogue, and then the awesome collapsible Iron Man style helmet. Something neat like that.

 

[Nirolak]

do you guys think we'll see any info re DS3 this year?

I'd be shocked if we didn't see it by E3.

It's leaking left and right, and EA games that aren't in bad shape are normally on a two year schedule.

 

[JaseC]

do you guys think we'll see any info re DS3 this year?

Yes, provided it's a current-gen game. Dead Space 2 was announced barely a year after the original hit the shelves.

Edit: b10.

 

[andthebeatgoeson]

Completely dropped the ball with the upgrade system and the zero gravity puzzles and vacuum puzzles. Did they even try this time around? I remember giving it thought in the first game and not even have to worry this time.

 

[overcast]

Fucking excellent game. Top 3 of last year probably.

 

[Hatten]

The ending is amazing, you wont be disappointed!

 

[Minion101]

The ending is amazing, you wont be disappointed!

Holy shit, how'd I get in this thread? Thought I was in the Mass Effect 3 thread.

 

[Replicant]

The ending is amazing, you wont be disappointed!

Oh Yes! I forgot how extremely satisfying the ending to this one was. It ties up all of the plot from the current game and the DLC puts additional question to make you more interested in the universe.

I wish I can say the same thing about Mass Effect 3.

 

[whalleywhat]

The visuals (and the audio for that matter) were never a problem. They're both quite impressive. It was the bland game design and narrative that turned me off to the original. I beat it and eventually went back and unlocked the platinum trophy, but I never understood why so many people raved like it was some huge accomplishment for this generation.

To the extent that it made people's year end lists, I don't think it ranked highly. Probably just standard post-release hype. It's a really solid game.

 

[NinjaBoiX]

Completely dropped the ball with the upgrade system and the zero gravity puzzles and vacuum puzzles. Did they even try this time around? I remember giving it thought in the first game and not even have to worry this time.

I agree that the puzzles were maybe too easy in DS2, but what's wrong with the upgrade system? It's exactly the same...

 

[namDa65]

Was extremely disappointed with how reliant they were on jump scares in the sequel. There were definitely a few in Dead Space, but I feel like that game relied more on building up tension through sounds and the environment more.

Multiple times, there were literally just apartment doors that existed for no reason other than to have a monster burst through once you crossed the invisible trigger point. All the dead-nicole hallucination stuff seemed was really dumb as well.

The original is one of my favorite games, and I couldn't even make it through this.

I don't like jump scares .

 

[Brandon F]

Big fan of the original, but really disliked DS2.

Too many frustrating sections(particularly the awful, AWFUL final few chapters and endboss), and the plot was terrible and poorly scripted. The station itself wasn't all that interesting and lacked any significant memorable locations. The scares were predictable, repetitive, and lacked creativity. I enjoyed the new enemy types included, however many of the larger setpiece moments/shootouts felt less like 'fights', than pure escape sequences due to endless respawns. Again, awful story and lackluster use of returning characters

Spoiler

Nicole...ugh

.

Really looked forward to eventually playing it, and with all the positive hype, reviews, and NeoGAF love, I was shocked at how much I ended up completely soured on the game by the end, DS2 felt incredibly lazy. The franchise deserved a better sequel than this bland and irritating semi-retread. I like to think the team is more talented than what was shown here.

 

[SafeinSound]

Favorite series this gen. The first one pretty much got me back into console gaming.

 

[Jaffaboy]

I still need to get back into Dead Space 2. The first one is one of my favourite games ever, so I was pumped to play the second one. Then I got a glitch on the boss that was in the demo, and the enemies were stuck in the walls and I've just not played it since. Now I'm done with Mass Effect, I think this is the time to get back into it!