Dead Space 3 (2013)

by Christopher
written by Christopher 6 minutes read

Summary

Join Isaac Clarke and John Carver on their perilous mission on Tau Volantis in Dead Space 3. Discover the planet’s secrets, craft weapons, and fight against evolved Necromorphs to save mankind from apocalypse.

Introduction

Isaac Clarke returns, joined by merciless soldier John Carver, to chase a risky plan that promises to finally stop the Necromorphs. Explore the frozen planet of Tau Volantis and track down the secret to end the Necromorph plague forever.

Synopsis

“Dead Space 3”, developed by Visceral Games and published by Electronic Arts, is the third and final main entry in the Dead Space series. The game was released in February 2013 for PlayStation 3, Windows, and Xbox 360.

The game’s story follows player-character Isaac Clarke and his allies as they explore a frozen planet, Tau Volantis, to discover the origins of the growing threat from their enemies, the Necromorphs. Players control Isaac and explore the environment, solve puzzles, and find resources, while fighting Necromorphs and hostile humans called Unitologists. The game supports online cooperative multiplayer sessions in which a second player takes the role of new character John Carver.

The game begins a few years after the events of Dead Space. Isaac Clarke and Ellie Langford returned to Earth and dated for a while, but their relationship fell apart. As Isaac is struggling with the breakup in his apartment on the moon, Unitologists led by Jacob Danik activate a Marker near the colony, causing a Necromorph outbreak.

The game follows the galaxy’s unluckiest engineer, Isaac Clarke, as he takes up the fight to protect the human race from the mysterious Markers and its Necrospawn. This begins with Isaac heading off to rescue Ellie, his missing girlfriend who returns from Dead Space 2.

Primarily set on the frozen planet of Tau Volantis, the game follows protagonists Isaac Clarke and John Carver as they attempt to end the Necromorph threat. The gameplay of Dead Space 3 is a science-fiction-themed survival horror action video game. Players control lead character Isaac Clarke from a third-person perspective through a level-based narrative campaign. Players navigate a variety of environments—mostly on the ice-covered planet Tau Volantis—completing narrative-based missions, solving physics-based puzzles in the environment, and fighting monsters called Necromorphs.

A downloadable content (DLC) episode subtitled Awakened was released in March 2013; it was developed with more focus on horror elements. Dead Space 3 was promoted with additional media, including a graphic novel called Dead Space: Liberation. Critical reception was generally positive. The game received praise for its atmosphere and gameplay, but critics and players questioned its shift towards action.

Despite peaking high in sales charts, Dead Space 3 sold fewer copies than the publisher had expected. Plans for a sequel were abandoned, the development team was disbanded, and Visceral Games closed in 2017. The series remained dormant until a remake of the first Dead Space game was released in 2023.

Characters

The game features Isaac Clarke, the seasoned engineer with a haunted past, and John Carver, a soldier with a personal vendetta against the Necromorphs. Together, they form an unlikely alliance to take down the terror that threatens mankind.

Gameplay

Offering a mix of intense action and survival horror, Dead Space 3 introduces co-op gameplay, where players can join forces as Clarke and Carver. The game also features weapon crafting, allowing for thousands of weapon combinations.

Conclusion

While Dead Space 3 may not capture the pure horror essence of its predecessors, it offers a unique and engaging co-op experience. Its expansive weapon crafting system and the dynamic between Clarke and Carver make it a notable entry in the series.

Review Score

7.5/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

Fan Art

Fan Art Style: Normal

Fan Art Style: Retro

Fan Art Style: Modern

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Christopher has carved a niche for himself as an authority on retro pre-2000 computer games. With a passion that borders on reverence, Christopher delves deep into the pixelated past of gaming, unearthing gems and sharing insights that resonate with both nostalgic players and curious newcomers. His articles serve as a time machine, transporting readers back to an era where gameplay and creativity often trumped graphical fidelity. Cristopher's expertise isn't just in cataloging these classics; he analyzes their design, the context of their creation, and their impact on the gaming landscape, offering a comprehensive look at the evolution of digital entertainment. Beyond mere retrospectives, Christopher champions the relevance of these retro games in today's high-definition world. He skillfully draws parallels between the foundational mechanics of yesteryear's titles and the modern gaming innovations they inspired. His work goes beyond mere preservation; it's an ongoing dialogue between the past and present of gaming. Christopher's content educates, entertains, and ignites discussions within the gaming community. His dedication not only keeps the legacy of pre-2000 games alive but also highlights their importance in shaping the future of video gaming.

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