12) Dead Space 1 & 2

Dead Space 1 (PC) trailer

The original Dead Space (2008) redefined the survival horror genre. This unassuming sci-fi/horror game exploded because of everything it wasn’t. Dead Space tells the story of Isaac Clark and his journey onboard the drilling ship, the USG Ishimura. Just as many other games in this genre, the main character isn’t engineer Isaac Clark, it is the USG Ishimura. While there have been other games that echo the dark, industrial, brooding feel of Dead Space, this game is the perfect homage to classic horror and science fiction without being repetitive.

The creatures that overrun the Ishimura are necromorphs. Gory constructs of various body parts and pincers that flail and scream as they burst forth from vents and walls and even play dead. To defeat these creatures, Dead Space requires you to use their “strategic dismemberment’ mechanic. Shooting them isn’t an option, you have to cut off their limbs.

The game isn’t very subtle in teaching you this information. “CUT OFF THEIR LIMBS” is written on a wall in blood. Then the tutorial goes over it. Then an audio diary. Then yet another tutorial. Dead Space makes sure you know how to kill the necromorphs.

Avoiding spoilers, the end of Dead Space left me breathless and wanting more. The true impact of the marker only becomes apparent as the screen fades to black.

In Dead Space 2, 3 years after the Ishimura our hero Isaac Clark finds himself on the Sprawl, a ship orbiting Saturn’s moon Titan.  The Ishimura and the marker are parked right outside bringing forth the necromorphs.

Unlike in Dead Space 1, this game is perfectly timed and fast paced making it somehow both suspenseful and scary. The locations range from a school room to one of dozens of dingy metal corridors. The sound encompases you making it hard to tell the difference between your dog rummaging through the garbage and a necromorph on your tail.

Clark’s girlfriend also makes another appearance in Dead Space 2 but I won’t spoil the fun.

Dead Space isn't very subtle with its directions. There is only one way to kill necrommorphs: dismemberment. 

Round two and the necromorphs make an appearance as the Ishimura is docked at the Titan station.