Two years of teases and EA Motive Studio developer diaries have culminated in the first Dead Space remake gameplay trailer. Fans both old and new finally got a look at the revamped U.S.G. Ishimura and its inhabitants - all created using the Frostbite engine. While the game engine itself is a cause for concern, it's hard not to be hopeful when the trailer looks so promising.
While the graphics are impressive in general, eagle-eyed fans of the original will notice a ton of locales from throughout the original Dead Space. Both settings and characters play important parts in telling Dead Space's story. From the flight lounge to the cargo bay where the Red Marker is stored, there are a lot of story beats shown in this initial remake gameplay trailer.
Dead Space's Bad Beginning
Those who played the original Dead Space may find it hard to forget the flight lounge. This is where Isaac and company land after the docking procedure of the U.S.G. Kellion goes awry. In the gameplay trailer, the flight lounge is shown to retain the iconic "U.S.G. Ishimura" lettering that welcomes visitors, albeit with much better lighting and shadows that heighten the eerie atmosphere.
Next to the flight lounge is another famous setting in the opening hours of Dead Space's, where Isaac Clake finds his iconic makeshift weapon - the Plasma Cutter. Along with this cutting tool, the workbench is also where players get their first and most important tip when battling Necromorphs, that being to "cut off their limbs." The words are written in blood and look even more gruesome in the remake thanks to improved textures and graphical fidelity.
A Quick Tour of The Ishimura
After a short intro showcasing the beginning areas, the gameplay trailer cuts to multiple sections of the U.S.G. Ishimura - each with its own story to tell. Viewers can see the Medical Deck where Isaac Clarke first comes into contact with the deranged Dr. Challus Mercer, for example. The gameplay trailer also shows the Engineering Deck - a section of the ship where Isaac has to repair the giant rotating Gravity Centrifuge.
Finally, a short glimpse of the cargo hold displays where the Red Marker was stored after being rediscovered on the planet Aegis 7. What's great about the trailer is that it avoids any of the late-game revelations and locations that would otherwise spoil the experience for those who have never played Dead Space.
Dead Space's Necromorphs are Everywhere
It would be impossible to have a Dead Space trailer without including the franchise's iconic Necromorphs. The reanimated corpses of the U.S.G. Ishimura crew look as grotesque as ever, and are just as keen on killing Isaac as they were in the original title. Many of the in-game and death animations make a return in the remake, and are just as nostalgic a sight as the Necromorphs themselves.
While the standard Slashers and Leapers are obvious inclusions, it was surprising to see special Necromorphs like the Brute and Leviathan make an appearance. The introduction of these monsters served as miniature events in the original Dead Space, so adding them in the gameplay trailer somewhat spoils the surprise of where they are located. Thankfully not many special Necromorphs were shown in the gameplay trailer, leaving fans to guess what other Necromorph types will be included in the remake.
The first Dead Space gameplay trailer looks to be a success, giving fans their first real taste of the game while providing a rough idea of how it will play. The characters, locations, and story beats from the original seem to have made a smooth transition into the remake, and one can only imagine future trailers will show more in-depth gameplay. January 27 isn't that long of a wait, and Dead Space looks like a good horror remake that will stack up its spiritual successor, The Callisto Protocol.
Dead Space launches January 27 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.