Dead Space scores 91% in first review

by Ludwig Kietzmann { Oct 2nd 2008 at 8:00PM }

Buhbuhbuh it's EA, Joystiq! Though we'll save our most obnoxious we-told-you-sos for the more comprehensive metareview ... we did tell you so. Our E3 Game of Show has scooped up its first (and hopefully not last) set of review accolades, scoring 91% in the pages of Xbox World 360. The review reportedly suggests that EA could teach Capcom "a thing or three about survival horror," with Dead Space boasting ferocious foes that make others in the genre seem "decidedly average."

Oh, but there is one thing that worries us: the game's "film-worthy" script. Have they not been to the cinema recently? With rare exception, a poorly formatted paragraph describing a pair of voluptious breasts ramping a Porsche over an explosion would have to be dumbed down by a script doctor. Too arty.

[Via X3F and Twitter, which apparently works in outer space]

Tags: Dead-Space, dining-on-crow-if-the-other-reviews-are-bad, EA, EA-Redwood-Shores, EARS, Reviews

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Obie @ Oct 2nd 2008 8:10PM

While I have been looking more for multiplayer oriented games as of late, something about fighting space-zombies in zero gravity is really bad ass.

I am keeping my eye on this one.

Levi @ Oct 2nd 2008 8:45PM

yeah I reserved this bitch a couple days ago

Looks like RE4 meets Event Horizon meets System Shock meets... something with zero grav parts?

dark_inchworm @ Oct 3rd 2008 12:45AM

Thanks dude, now I wanna walk into Gamestop and say, "I'm ready to pick my bitch up."

Ranelar @ Oct 2nd 2008 9:26PM

Someone's cranky about having their epic script rejected by the studios.

Vistigil @ Oct 2nd 2008 8:29PM

Great, i had a feeling it was going to be a "real" survival horror type game. My only concern is pointed at the games re-play value, most games this gen have let me down with little to no replay value at all. But from what ive seen it looks to have as much as say resident evil 4, with the weapons and stat upgrades and dlc costumes and so on. GG Deadspace!

uh-oh polio @ Oct 2nd 2008 8:44PM

Sweet, now im definitely buying this.

J.Goodwin @ Oct 2nd 2008 8:25PM

First review out the door, therefore specious.

Titanium_Orchid @ Oct 2nd 2008 8:43PM

aye

thecerealpoet @ Oct 3rd 2008 2:10PM

Actually, reviews don't generally have that much variance, so expect plenty more in the 85—95 range.

Cesaria (Gamertag: Cesaria360) @ Oct 2nd 2008 8:30PM

Damn, Ludwig, getting some OT today?

Limezor @ Oct 2nd 2008 8:34PM

About time EA made a good game. I just hope its not full of crapware aka DRM.

Ihavepants @ Oct 2nd 2008 10:21PM

Well... it is, all of EA's games are using Securom.

fodder @ Oct 2nd 2008 10:28PM

Fallout 3 isn't:

http://www.shacknews.com/featuredarticle.x?id=1012

dark_inchworm @ Oct 3rd 2008 12:46AM

Maybe that's because EA has nothing to do with Fallout.

Bryan @ Oct 2nd 2008 8:36PM

Definite rent. This game looks amazing.

Mr Khan @ Oct 2nd 2008 8:37PM

Seems to be a triumph of atmosphere, like a combination of the better effects of Metroid and Resident Evil

Raikage (Mr. ESC? Mr. ESC? MR. ESSSSSSCCCCCC!) @ Oct 2nd 2008 8:41PM

Mmmm I'd love it if they made MP a bit darker, like even more than Echoes. The first few hours had me jumpy. Not as "mature" as RE4 though, gotta keep it T for toddlers.

Raikage (Mr. ESC? Mr. ESC? MR. ESSSSSSCCCCCC!) @ Oct 2nd 2008 8:37PM

Hmm I've always found console specific reviews a little off, even if it's multi-platform. I'd say it's an 8.5, or maybe, but less likely, even better than 9.1.

knighty (GT: ZeraKnight) @ Oct 2nd 2008 9:16PM

Yeah I feel the same way. I'll be waiting on some more impartial reviews. The game does look great though. What's happening to EA?!? They're evolving!

Courtney @ Oct 3rd 2008 2:29AM

@knighty

Haven't we learned anything from the pseudo-Spore controversies? It's clearly intelligent design guiding EA forward.

ExMcCloud @ Oct 2nd 2008 9:09PM

Gues they did tell us...Maybe next time I'll listen....sigh.....Guess I gotta buy the Ultra Special Edition....Dammit!

Doug @ Oct 5th 2008 12:10AM

Why?

ExMcCloud @ Oct 5th 2008 1:51AM

Because if continues to get good scores the Ultra Edition will become in high demand but low supply because there is only 1,000 of them....So it will actually be a REAL special edition that is worth money to collectors in the future

xFenixKnightx @ Oct 2nd 2008 9:15PM

Woowoo cant wait baby!!!

theturtle363 @ Oct 2nd 2008 9:22PM

damn, i did not factor this game into my walletary plans

fodder @ Oct 2nd 2008 9:42PM

Well Far Cry 2 has an early review of 94% (www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/farcry2) so that has to be awarded World's Greatest Kajigger. Except LittleBigPlanet has an early review of 100% (www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/ps3/littlebigplanet) and I'm not sure that can be beaten.

fodder @ Oct 2nd 2008 9:56PM

And all three of these games release on the exact same day in Australia, along with Fable 2. Can anybody spare some change?

Blazur @ Oct 2nd 2008 10:11PM

Gosh, on Oct. 20th should I get Dead Space or Wii Music? Such a difficult decision...

Immortal Technique PSN: johnnynumber5 @ Oct 2nd 2008 10:24PM

LOL

ThornedVenom (Harley Quinn Defense Force) @ Oct 3rd 2008 2:22AM

I can't believe I almost took you seriously for a moment there.

Shagittarius @ Oct 3rd 2008 11:59AM

Immortal you are getting "Rock revolution" over Guitar Hero world tour?

You are sick and twisted.

Immortal Technique PSN: johnnynumber5 @ Oct 2nd 2008 10:15PM

I have a list of about 5-6 games that I will be buying. Dead Space has been on the outside looking in so far. But, if it is THAT GOOD I can't pass it up.

My Holiday 2008 List (In order of priority)

1. Little Big Planet
2. Gears Of War 2
3. Valkyria Chronicles
4. Left 4 Dead
5. Fallout 3
6. Rock Band 2 OR Guitar Hero World Tour
7. SOCOM:Confrontation (Bad beta may make me wait)
8. Far Cry 2
9. Dead Space
10. Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm
11. Resistance 2 (waiting to play the Beta could be +/-)
12. Motorstorm Pacific Rift
13. Fable 2
14. Saints Row 2
15. Mirrors Edge
16. Rock Revolution
17. Banjo-Kazooie Nuts And Bolts
18. Sonic Unleashed
19. Last Remnant
20. Prince Of Persia
21. Call Of Duty World At War
22. Midnight Club LA
23. Tomb Raider Underworld

This is my actual list ... I know it's sad

Way Way Way to many games being released that are off the chain ... It will probably change

Note to other fanboys - My list does not include Wii, DS or PSP because they are irrelevant this holiday season for me ..

Jacksons @ Oct 3rd 2008 9:29AM

Oh yikes, I didn't realize how many of those I want as well. Oh well, I'll have stuff to buy all the way until Holiday 2009 :)

Shagittarius @ Oct 3rd 2008 12:00PM

I miscommented earlier...

I can't believe you would get 'Rock revolution' and either Rock bnad 2 or Guitar Hero IV.

You should be getting Rock Band 2 and Guitar Hero IV and leaving that piece of shiat Rock revolution on the shelf.

chris @ Oct 4th 2008 10:07PM

thats like over $1300 in games! I want half of my list is:far cry 2dead space fallout 3quantum of solace call of duty w.a.w.little bigplanet left 4 deadsocomeither resistance 2 or gears 2ds version of call of duty w.a.w.

Immortal Technique PSN: johnnynumber5 @ Oct 4th 2008 2:02PM

Shag -

I'm not getting all of those games. I will probably get 6 games this holiday season. This is my overall list of where they all stand as of this moment.

Arturo @ Oct 2nd 2008 10:21PM

Day 1 Purchase

copa @ Oct 2nd 2008 10:26PM

Dead Space? Dead Space? Why, that's not even the best game with a severed hand on the box to be released this year! How much ad space did EA buy on Joystiq? Huh? Answer me that, Ludwig!

Oh, fuck it. I'm going to go preorder Dead Space.

Immortal Technique PSN: johnnynumber5 @ Oct 2nd 2008 10:31PM

I guess you know this because of your pre-release copies of Left 4 Dead & Dead Space.

Tough choices this holiday season!

Arnon @ Oct 3rd 2008 12:02AM

Left 4 Dead > Dead Space by far imo..

dark_inchworm @ Oct 3rd 2008 12:49AM

So you've played and completed both, Arnon?

dsub @ Oct 3rd 2008 2:38PM

I haven't played a beat both, but I have played both. It definitely goes Left 4 Dead > Dead Space, but not by a ton. They aren't really even the same genre in my opinion. Left 4 Dead is a balls to the wall fast paced Zombie Co-Op FPS game, while Dead Space is a slower Third Person Shooter/Survival Horror.

mismajor99 @ Oct 2nd 2008 10:35PM

Hmmm...I'm looking forward to this, but the first review out the door is almost always pre-approved by the Publisher/Developer before hand, and this is a 91%. So good so far but I'm still on the fence for a rent.

jitty @ Oct 2nd 2008 10:45PM

NEVER trust first reviews (in most cases, no matter who gives the review) Lair and too human both scored very high in their first review. I'm not saying dead space will be the next lair; I'm saying that we should wait to form an opinion until at least 4 well known reviews come out for this game.