The horror genre has found a particularly popular home in the video gaming world. Atmosphere and tension can be applied through the tactile medium in a way that can be hard to replicate in movies or television shows, but obvious influences from classic horror films are on display in many gaming franchises like Dead Space. The sci-fi horror title wore its Alien and Event Horizon influences on its sleeve, and to great effect. The game quickly garnered critical and commercial success, then spawned two sequels. After a long hiatus, fans of Dead Space suddenly have a lot to look forward to in the next few years.
During its EA Play Live 2021 event, the publisher announced a remake of the original Dead Space. Bringing the over-10-year-old title up to technical snuff with the Frostbite Engine has drawn a lot of excitement from fans. However, the reveal trailer was brief, not showing off more than a quick glimpse of Isaac, a necromorph, and the interior of the USG Ishimura. Still, Dead Space has been a fan-favorite series for a long time, so it was only natural it would draw fans' attention quickly.
RELATED: EA Should Invest in a Dead Space-Like Star Wars Game
While the original Dead Space holds up well, the game will likely benefit from small quality-of-life adjustments. One thing that made the original so popular was its emphasis on survival and the "everyman" approach to protagonist Isaac Clarke. Many of the other big names in horror like Resident Evil had started to move toward a bigger focus on action and over-the-top heroes. While changes are seemingly being made, it seems like EA is shying away from some of the action elements that led to backlash against Dead Space 3.
Isaac is by no means a pushover, but resources were scarce and threats were everywhere in the original game. Players had to ration out vital items for healing and ammunition for the various repurposed mining tools they used as weapons. This helped to create tension as players were forced to choose between wasting time and resources on a swarm of necromorphs or fleeing to fight another day. It struck a balance between the action and terror in a way that many fans quickly came to love. Hopefully this balance is preserved when the Dead Space remake releases.
Many fans are hoping that a renewed interest in the franchise will lead to remakes of the other games or an actual sequel or reboot. Luckily, even if those dreams don't come true players will have another experience to look forward to that will help scratch the itch for sci-fi survival horror. Dead Space's original creator is working on a new IP called Callisto Protocol that has strong spiritual ties to Dead Space. The game has only really been seen through one reveal cinematic, but concept art for Callisto Protocol and other media have showcased a tone that's very similar.
After a long hiatus since Dead Space 3 released and the departure of Dead Space's creator, fans have a lot to get excited about. The remake has a lot of potential to bring Dead Space to a new generation of fans and recapture older ones. Hopefully the updates to its technical side don't detract from the core of the experience, but it's doubtful EA will tamper too much with a successful formula. With Callisto Protocol also on the way, sci-fi horror games could be seeing a strong resurgence in the next few years.
The Dead Space remake is in development for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
MORE: Other Horror Games That Need Revivals Like Dead Space
