As the first part is Dead Space 2 a strictly linear 3rd-person shooter, most comparable to Resident Evil 5. The basic game mechanics was essentially taken from the predecessors, added some things that other improved somewhat, but you find yourself immediately right again and enjoys the optimizations made. Thus, for example, has been extended the Wegfindungshilfe. One can be projected not only the way the current task, but on request to the next save point, shop and work bench to the floor now. There are no more card, but is also no longer needed. Also new is a mini-game to bridge certain electronic consoles - quite basic but a nice break in between. Another improvement is there in Zero-G range, ie in weightlessness. You could "jump" in the first part in only one direction, allowing the new nozzles controlled attraction that one can freely fly around the room - simply great! The biggest change concerns Isaac himself: He speaks! In the previous one heard from involuntary
Heroes highest a tortured groan of pain or effort.
Here are other changes to the first part:
# In the shop you can see the items themselves rather than a list (looks much better)
# Stasis packs can be stacked in the inventory to three pieces
# There is no air canisters for supplemental oxygen more - I've never used anyway!
# Killed opponents leave only one item, if you still crushes or bombards
# The change of chapter is now done seamlessly without loading time.
--- --- WEAPONS
In order to defend themselves against the many Necromorphs are of course again some "unconventional" weapons at your disposal, each with a primary and secondary fire mode. From the first part are already known:
-> Plasma Cutter - The primary weapon for separating limbs
-> Line Gun - stronger weapon, similar to the plasma cutter with a wider beam. Secondary: Timed mines
-> Power Cannon - Kinesebooster for short distances. Secondary: Concentrated energy beam
-> Laser Cannon - As the name suggests. Secondary: releasing a charge that gives free the area around Isaac.
-> Pulse Rifle - Fires projectiles in rapid succession. Secondary: Grenades
-> Flamethrower - Self explanatory. Secondary: A burning gasoline canister fired.
-> Ripper - rotating circular saw blade. Secondary: saw blades are fired.
New to the list are:
-> Finder rifle - Slow Gun with high firepower. Secondary: Sniper mode
-> Detonator mines - Motion Triggered limpet mines. Secondary: mines can be defused and collected again.
-> Harpoon gun - penetrative spears be fired and nail the opponent to the wall. Secondary: Speer is set subsequently under power. A very useful new weapon.
Of the new weapon is the harpoon gun most helpful, it does simple enemies with a single shot and fully upgraded, you can bet the last faded bolt not only electricity, but also blow up yet. It has now displaced the ray gun from my standard inventory to which even the Plasma Cutter, Pulse Rifle, and the Kinesebooster belong. The Plasma Cutter and the pulse rifle I use as a "universal tool", the Kinesebooster is excellent against the hordes of small nimble Necromorphs and the harpoon gun for every type of "two-legged vermin".
The weapons can be just like the suit and the Stasemodul workbenches upgrade, namely as usual with energy nodes that can be either found or bought in the shop. Here nothing has changed, except that the upgrades can be undone to upgrade another weapon.
--- --- ATMOSPHERE
The great strength of Dead Space was the gloomy, oppressive atmosphere. In addition, the first part could benefit from the advantage of the unused settings. A sequel would have hard to top this intensity, I thought, before I alluded 2 Dead Space for the first time. Fortunately, the error was not made to try to reinvent the game for this new sequel to surpass to the predecessor. Rather, the outstanding backbone of Dead Space has been maintained and improved the existing playful and cosmetically in some areas. The lack of HUD indicators that have been reintegrated into the game graphics and the discreet but very harmonious soundtrack contribute their share to the gloomy horror mood. In addition, provide spectacular interactive cutscenes that seamlessly integrate into the gameplay and recurrent visions Isaac's on an almost cinematic production that is second to none.
--- TECHNICAL ---
Graphically Dead Space 2 has made a significant leap forward. The light and shade effects are better than in the predecessor and the different areas very atmospheric and with many details. Surprisingly low, however, as in the previous claim to the hardware. On my system (i5-750, 4GB RAM, GTX 470, Win 7 - 64 Bit) runs the game in 1920x1200 and maximum settings of course liquid, just one CPU core is used, the graphics card has a maximum occupancy of 80% and the VRAM was occupied by a maximum of 373 MB. That's hard to beat with such a graphic and also allows easy play on less powerful computers. In my almost 8 hour long first round there was no crash and no bugs, only three did not want to stop running Isaac, a double pressing the appropriate direction key but helped.
The typical shooter control, criticized by many predecessors, responds in Dead Space 2 much faster and more precise, the keyboard layout can be chosen completely freely. I prefer, as with all shooters recommended controlling the mouse and keyboard, but also a gamepad can be used. Now the controller should really be no cause for criticism.
Note on copy protection: The game must be after about 20 min permanent installation activated once online, then you can play in the drive without DVD. The game can be installed on 5 different computers.
The Online / Multiplayer mode I have not used!
--- --- CONCLUSION
"More action, but less horror". That was an official statement on the successor to the ingenious space-horror shooter Dead Space from 2008 onwards.
More action? - Is in any case!
Less Horror? - Nope!
By cinematic staging and re tearing the hair exciting atmosphere makes Dead Space 2 continues exactly where the first part left off and even goes even further, in every respect. An ingenious sequel and so full points and buy recommendation!
