Dead Space 2 has a multiplayer mode, and the Collector's Edition is available for all three platforms. The PlayStation 3's limited edition contains the prequel to the first game "Dead Space: Extraction" as a PlayStation Move compatible title. This is one of my most favorite game series, and most favorite survival horror games since Resident Evil and Silent Hill. Time to review this great game.
Plot. At a hospital in the Sprawl, Isaac Clarke has been lying in cryo stasis for three years until he is freed by Franco, protagonist of Dead Space: Ignition. Before Isaac was freed from his straitjacket, Franco is killed and transformed into a necromorph, leaving Isaac to escape on his own. He is contacted by Daina, who guides him to her location. He is also contacted by another mad patient, Nolan Stross, who offers him a way to destroy the Marker, in which the station's administrator, Hans Tiedmann, forced them to rebuild after finding Isaac adrift. Ignoring Stross, Isaac meets Daina, who is revealed to be a fanatical Unitologist. Daina is gunned down along with her men, and now Isaac must trust Stross and another ally, Ellie, in order to destroy the Marker and prevent further infection.
Also, the game features a new multiplayer mode, in which players can play against their friends, family and others from around the world. You can either choose to be a human fighting for survival, or a Necromorph with a taste for human flesh to kill and maul. Incredible isn't it? Also, when you manage to beat the game, you can play on New Game Plus, with the same weapons and items from your last game. Power Nodes can be used to open secret doors where there are caches of weapons, cash, ammo, first aid sprays and more. But I highly suggest that you use them to upgrade your suit's rig, stasis, and practical weapons.
Concept. The purpose of the game is to guide Isaac on a trek, not on the Ishimura, but on the Sprawl, a megacity constructed in the shard of Titan, one of Saturn's moons. You must fight your way against a horde of necromorphs, and images of your dead girlfriend Nicole, to prevent Isaac from succumbing to his imminent dementia caused by the Marker. If you want to take a break from Single Player, and beat the tar out of your friends and family, then go ahead and kick some ass in Multiplayer Mode.
Design. The game has more violence and gore than in the previous game. However, the great thing about this game is that Isaac is no longer a silent protagonist but he was given a voice by Gunner Wright, who also has his likeness. Nicole's likeness and voice were changed from Iyari Limon to Tanya Clarke. Most of the characters are based on the likenesses and voices of their respective actors.
Development. The game's director Wright Bagwell, said that Dead Space was similar to Resident Evil, in which he said: "There's an interesting story from Dead Space and Dead Space 2, which is that when we started building Dead Space, we basically started with a mechanic set that was really similar to Resident Evil 4, the [people on the] team were really huge fans of that game." Then Ian Milham commented about the game's multiplayer: "Other games are fine but this is different. It's the kind of multiplayer that could only exist in a Dead Space type world." Although the game mechanics are similar to that of RE4, to me this game as said in my Dead Space review last year, is like "Resident Evil meets Silent Hill, Halo, and Metroid".
Tips and Strategies. As in the first game, to completely kill a necromorph for good is by cutting it apart of course. There are some necromorphs in which their infected spots (yellow colored) are their weak points. There are times where you must know when to kill and when not to, because any mistake you make is your own undoing which can lead to your ultimate doom. When it comes to the Stalkers, the trick is by using your stasis when they charge at you and then shoot them with your preferred weapon. Also, hiding from them can help too. Sometimes you will see items that contain stasis, in which when shot by your weapon or kinesis correctly, you can delay your enemies attack for a short time.
Rantings. New Necromorphs on my list to hate are the Stalker, Crawlers, Tripods, Spitters, and Pukers. I really hated those guys, because at times, I was on the verge of breaking my controller. Most of them really pissed me off, especially the Cyst too. The Cyst could excrete living bombs when too close, and then blow you in half. Because you never knew where one was standing. Also, I felt disappointed that you could not kill the Ubermorph, a Necromorph similar to the Hunter in the first game. He was never killed no matter what, because all you had to do was avoid him.
Good Aspects. The multiplayer was a great addition to the game, something that in a way the first game was missing. Also, the game has high replay value and it is a must have for fans of the Dead Space saga. For those who own a PS3, they will enjoy playing the second game, and also Extraction, which comes on that game's Limited Edition on the PS3. The game's storyline was even more profound with it's twists and turns, and it was very enjoyable seeing the plot thickening and unfolding in the game's most influential and disturbing scenes. What I really liked also, is how Isaac's helmet automatically wore on as he put on a new suit and even the first one too.
Overall. Dead Space 2 is my favorite game in the series. My final score for this game is a 9.5 out of 10.