EA Motive’s Dead Space is the latest in a long line of modern remakes. This trend in the industry seems to be going nowhere, and fans may be delighted about Dead Space’s remake since it exhumes a seminal survival-horror franchise. Like any remake or remaster, there are going to be fans who prefer the original for its nostalgic value and any changes that may take away from the experience they remember. But these same fans should be happy to hear that Dead Space’s remake is incredibly faithful to the original.
Dead Space’s science-fiction narrative is the same, but there are new surprises that fans may not expect in terms of familiar lore. The changes that the remake does implement are substantial and additive, but remain faithful in a way that will appease both new and old fans. Like the original Resident Evil remake, Dead Space’s remake has become a definitive experience due to the changes it makes to arguably improve over the original.
Isaac Clarke Talks in Motive’s Dead Space Remake
Perhaps the most readily noticeable difference is the fact that Isaac Clarke now speaks in Motive’s Dead Space. This makes the survival-horror franchise’s first entry more in-line with its sequels, because Isaac now feels like a coherent character throughout each installment. Hearing Isaac interact with other characters profoundly improves the narrative because he is able to respond to others and share his thoughts.
Of course, Isaac being mute in the original Dead Space may be the definitive interpretation for a lot of purists. But what the remake’s narrative achieves through Isaac’s new dialogue cannot be overstated if players are happy to indulge in lore and the relationships Isaac has with other characters.
Motive’s Dead Space Reimagines the Ishimura’s Level Design
If fans have not played the original Dead Space in a while, it may be hard to discern which areas of the Ishimura are different, but there are certain environmental mechanics in the remake that help distinguish them. Some corridors and blueprints will be familiar, but have a new design in how to progress through them. Motive’s Dead Space introduces a feature where players must reroute power reserves, balancing the ship's power output between different options.
Likewise, the Ishimura Tram System is no longer a chapter bookend loading screen, but a way to traverse back-and-forth through unlocked stations across the ship. This opens up a lot of exploration for the player, including backtracking to retrieve security clearance loot or complete side quests.
Dead Space Remake Takes the Right Notes from Dead Space 2
Motive’s Dead Space makes some structural changes to mechanics in the game, swapping the original game’s zero-gravity and Kinesis systems with that of Dead Space 2. This is great because Motive also opens up a lot more explorable space for Isaac to traverse with a free-roaming flight system, and unlike the original game players’ Kinesis can actually impale necromorphs. Moreover, the original Dead Space’s stomp was sluggish and did not produce loot from enemy corpses, but the remake has taken that page out of Dead Space 2’s in this regard as well.
Motive’s Dead Space Gives Nicole Brennan More Exposition
Nicole Brennan is a more comprehensive character in Motive’s Dead Space because of the deeper exposition she is given. With an entire side quest that is not included in the original game, the remake lets Isaac attempt to follow Nicole’s hologram logs in order to find out where she is and what potentially happened to her. Players see more of Nicole this way, and also get a chance to learn more about Isaac and Nicole’s relationship, including why Nicole was stationed on the Ishimura in the first place.
Dead Space is available now on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.