Over the years, there has been increased interest in board games, and with it an increase in the variety of board games produced. Consequently, this has influenced the uptick of board game adaptations of video games. Games like Dark Souls, Horizon Zero Dawn, Devil May Cry, and even Runescape have all been adapted into tabletop experiences. These games offer unique experiences partly because of their unique source material, and a game like Dead Space therefore has much to offer. A Dead Space board game could easily surpass expectations.
Originally released in 2011, Dead Space was largely the creation of designer Glen Schofield, and it is considered one of the scariest games of all time. It maintains a fanbase so loyal that its remaster has been overshadowing Schofield’s new game. Turning a horror game into a board game may seem far-fetched, but the Dead Space franchise in particular would be apt for such an adaptation. Its rich lore could provide plenty of material for game-makers to draw upon to recreate the suspenseful atmosphere of the original. When considering the recent influx of horror based video games especially, Dead Space seems all the more suitable for a board game adaptation.
Survival Horror Video Game Adaptations
The most obvious parallel to a Dead Space board game is the Resident Evil adaptations that are already available. Steamforged Games, a popular producer of video game themed board games, has worked its way through the original Resident Evil, Resident Evil 2, and even Resident Evil 3: Nemesis. More recently, however, Level 99 Games began production on a Dead by Daylight tabletop game, one that appropriately translates the nail-biting tension of its asymmetrical multiplayer source material. The Dead by Daylight Board Game’s Kickstarter reached its goal within a day of its launch. Clearly, there is a huge demand for survival horror based board games.
What’s more, there are already numerous sci-fi horror board games. Whereas other video games and their tabletop counterparts focus on slasher-film and zombie themes, these games are heavily influenced by the likes of Alien, Event Horizon, and The Thing. To see board games capture this idiosyncratic genre is interesting, and Dead Space following suit would appeal to both existing and new audiences. The mangled bodies of Necromorphs would make for interesting game pieces, and the game's minimalist aesthetic would give the board and its cards a unique appearance. All in all, Dead Space's mastery of horror would be a visually striking tabletop game.
Dead Space's Mechanics
In addition to its visuals, the actual gameplay of Dead Space would offer interesting opportunities for a board game adaptation, too. Players have to manage their air supply in the video game, stopping regularly to refill on oxygen. This particular mechanic could create compelling decisions for tabletop players. They could stop their movement across the board to refill on oxygen and risk getting attacked, or continue running from Necromorphs while dangerously low on air. Moreover, the game's zero-g segments promise variations on movement in the tabletop game. How exactly these ideas would manifest is anyone's guess, but the source material provides significant room for interpretation.
Traditionally, there's been a sizable crossover between fans of video games and fans of board games. Players of both enjoy the challenge, chance, and social aspects of playing games. Dead Space is arguably one of the most iconic video games of the 2010s, and its mastery of sci-fi survival-horror promises a uniquely exciting tabletop experience. If the Dead Space board game did come to fruition, then it would join the ranks of Resident Evil and Dead by Daylight as fan-favorites.
The Dead Space remake is set to release in early 2023 for PC, the PS5, and the Xbox Series X/S.