By using this site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and our Terms of Use. Close
Dead Space Remake Information Details New Features

Dead Space Remake Information Details New Features - News

by William D'Angelo , posted on 14 October 2022 / 5,059 Views

Publisher Electronic Arts and developer Motive in a new PlayStation Blog post has provided details on the new features in the remake of Dead Space.

Read the latest details below:

New gameplay features

Isaac is fully voiced: Isaac speaks up this time around, like yelling his teammates’ names when they’re in trouble or explaining his plans to fix the Ishimura’s Centrifuge and fuel lines. Hearing him take an active role in the team’s mission makes the entire experience feel more filmlike and authentic.  

Interconnected immersion: There are no loading sequences when Isaac hops aboard the Ishimura’s tram to quickly travel between destinations like Cargo and the Medical areas. This is all part of Motive’s goal for an immersive, connected setting.

Zero G freedom: In the original Dead Space, zero-gravity sections let Isaac leap across platforms using special boots. In the remake, you have the freedom to float in 360 degrees, lending to the spacewalk fantasy. Isaac also now has a propulsion boost, which is handy for dodging necromorphs lunging through space.

Intense new moments: During chapter 2 Isaac must obtain higher security clearance off the dead Captain’s Rig. The Captain’s corpse is attacked by an Infector, causing him to turn into a necromorph. In the 2008 sequence, players watch the change safely behind glass. In the remake, Isaac experiences this horrifying transformation up close and personal, harkening back to the dramatic real-time necromorph transformation at the beginning of Dead Space 2.

Circuit breakers: New junction boxes require Isaac to reroute power between different Ishimura functions. In one scenario, I needed to reroute power to a refueling station, and I could choose between cutting the lights or oxygen supply to make this happen. Situations like this allow players to pick their poison when need be – I chose to play in the dark rather than risk suffocation.

Big moments feel bigger: The vivid lighting and visual effects make dramatic moments feel even more impressive. Later in chapter 3 Isaac restarts the Ishimura’s centrifuge. A combination of effects explode into action as the giant machinery kicks online – giant pieces of the machine rumble violently, sparks fly as metal grinds, the huge swinging arm casts large shadows against the orange auxiliary power lights. It’s a feast for the senses and draws you in deeper to the experience. 

Incentivized exploration: Locked doors and loot containers have been added to the Ishimura, which Isaac can access after acquiring upgraded security clearance. This incentivizes players to return to previously cleared areas to uncover resources and upgrade materials. One locked door even involves a new side quest revealing a bit more about Isaac’s missing partner, Nicole. 

Intensity director: But don’t let your guard down just because you’re returning to known territory. Motive keeps players on their toes with the Intensity Director, which will ratchet up suspense with creepy noises like creaking vents, surprised like bursting pipes, and unexpected necromorph attacks.

Expanded weapon upgrade paths: What good is hunting for bonus resources without a place to invest them? New weapon upgrade items can be attached to the Plasma Cutter, Pulse Rifle, and more to add extra upgrade paths to spend nodes. It’s to be determined if this incorporates new weapon mechanics, or simply additional enhancements to damage, reload speed, ammo capacity, etc.

Familiar, yet enhanced

Enhanced visuals: A rich layer of visual polish has been applied to the entire experience. Small details set the mood, including floating dust particles, ominous fog hanging above the floor, dripping blood stains, and dingy lighting. 

Small details enhance narrative: Isaac builds his Plasma Cutter out of composite parts at a workbench instead of simply picking it up, signaling his engineering background. Similarly, when Isaac collects his Statis Module, he first picks up the severed limb it’s attached to, its previous owner likely having been dismembered by a nearby malfunctioning door. These micro storytelling moments drew me in.

Tested gameplay: Combat packs the same satisfying familiarity, but with added smoothness. Flicking the Plasma Cutter to vertical and horizontal aim modes while blasting off necromorph limbs is fluid and fast.

Stasis strategy: Isaac’s handy slo-mo field is still a charm with crowd control. In one encounter, I used stasis to freeze an enemy near an explosive cannister, then waited until another enemy approached before shooting it and blowing both monsters to bits.

Upgrade your way: The Bench remains a fun way to customize Isaac to fit your playstyle using precious nodes hidden around the Ishimura. This time, I invested in suit upgrades that boosted my Statis Module’s area of effect to help coral more enemies at once. You can also upgrade your weapon’s damage, ammo capacity, and reload speed.

In-universe UI: Back in 2008 Dead Space’s projected user interface was ahead of its time, and today it still feels futuristic. Bringing up Isaac’s projected menu in real-time preserves the immersion and immediacy. Plus, the menu text and icons look even more crisp and clean in 4K.

Resources matter: I know the 2008 Dead Space well and admit I was feeling a bit cocky during my playthrough. I sold a few ammo stacks early on for credits and to make inventory space. I paid the price later in chapter 2 when I ran dry on ammo during an intense sequence in the morgue, with an Infector running rampant generating fresh necromorphs. The sequence forced me to make careful use of stasis and melee to survive. I eventually succeeded using stasis to slow the Infector’s spread and stomp out the threat before it got out of hand. My reverence for preserving ammo was renewed throughout the rest of my playthrough. 

Gory details: Every blast of Isaac’s weapons tears away flesh, muscle, and eventually shatters bone. More than a gnarly visual effect, the detailed damage offers feedback about how close players are to snapping off a limb and downing a necro.

The remake of the sci-fi survival horror classic, Dead Space, will launch for the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via SteamEpic Games Store, and Origin on January 27, 2023 for $69.99.


A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012 and taking over the hardware estimates in 2017. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel. You can contact the author on Twitter @TrunksWD.


More Articles

7 Comments
Killy_Vorkosigan (on 14 October 2022)

I replayed it during pandemic in 4k with a mod. It was already mindblowing, this game is such a treat. I m really interested in these changes, and even if I wasn't initialy interested because of the 4k mod, I kinda changed my mind too. Great article btw.

  • +2
LivncA_Dis3 Killy_Vorkosigan (on 16 October 2022)

The original still looks fantastic on PS3,

Ages like fine wine and plays well

  • 0
tslog (on 14 October 2022)

Looking really good.
Since Dead Space 2 a better game than 1, I'm already hoping Motive does the same remake for Dead Space 2. Hell do 3 as well.
I really want to pay for this remake, but giving money to evil EA makes me really hesitate. Add in the ludicrous high price and I'm not sure I'll buy it at launch.

  • +1
SuperNintend0rk tslog (on 14 October 2022)

Well if you're willing to wait a year or two, it will eventually come to Game Pass through EA Play lol

  • +2
KratosLives (on 17 October 2022)

I think it kinda sucks theyre announcing it now and showing off footage and taking away from callisto protocol. They should let them launch the game first and then promote their own title.

  • 0
LivncA_Dis3 (on 16 October 2022)

Wow now that's a fcken remake unlike the snotfest from Jim Ryan's pushed "the last sopas" remake part1

  • 0
Azzanation (on 14 October 2022)

Loving the details, this looks set to be amazing however $70 it is not.

  • -2