Dead Space (Remake)

If you want more: Survival horror where it’s you against the forces of the undead
Notable differences: Sci-fi premise, lone protagonist, unconventional weapons and shooting challenges, no human opponents (in the first two games), no stealth
Availability:
Dead Space (2023 remake): Windows (Steam Deck OK), Xbox Series S|X, PS5
Dead Space (Original), 2, and 3: Windows (Steam Deck YMMV), Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X, PS3

Dead Space, the hit sci-fi survival horror game from 2008, was recently remade and although its well-preserved gameplay feels a little dated, it’s definitely worth checking out if you’re looking for another third-person survival horror game with an emphasis on shooting. Its twist on where you’re supposed to aim, plus its science fiction setting, might be a welcome change of pace from the more conventional gameplay and realism-aspiring setting of The Last of Us.

Read More: Dead Space Remake: The Kotaku Review

As just mentioned, even with shiny new graphics, Dead Space feels very 2008. But the challenge of dismembering your opponents to kill them, instead of just aiming for the head like you do in The Last of Us, still remains quite interesting. Sadly, most of the encounters in Dead Space are very direct and forced, meaning that while you have an interesting way of dispatching with them, it does get very samey after a while.

Like The Last of Us, you’ll be surviving in a fallen world. The abandoned and morphed space station you must brave has a clear post-apocalyptic feeling to it, though the series-signature Necromorphs are way more fantastical in design and concept.

If you want more survival horror, but could go for a change of scenery, Dead Space’s creepily morphed undead will make for a great challenge after dealing with the clickers and runners.