Technically opposite part 1 some meaningful improvements were therefore introduced. The tasks to be fulfilled by the player, have not changed, however. Man continues schnetzelt way through hordes of Necromorphen, but this time not (only) on a spaceship, but aboard a large space city, the so-called "Sprawl". In between, there are the usual hacker games and you will once again guided by radio on a strictly linear path through the scene. The cutscenes where you have to escape a gruesome death by keystroke, have continued to increase - not a mistake, because these events were very nicely programmed and blend almost seamlessly into the game a. Even scenes in which the protagonist is haunted by visions and threatens to succumb to the madness were built very good and consistent, only the "voice from beyond the grave" is unfortunately distorted so much that one hardly understands a word.
So far, so good - you can already see, and "Dead Space 2" has again become a very good game. Nevertheless, I would like to address in some detail on the problem areas of the universe Survival Horrors. First, one of the biggest criticisms of Part 1 was maintained: Free Save is still not possible. Although the programmers have mercy and distributes memory points slightly denser, yet one feels patronized when you can not save whenever you want. That this was absolutely necessary for the atmosphere, I doubt it.
Another shortcoming relates to the length of the game (the "length" in this case on difficulty level "Normal" and more leisurely style of play for about 15 hours means). Basically, long seasons are even provided to assess positively - in "Dead Space 2" but which has strange consequences. It happens every time just before reaching the target, that something unexpected happens and you are led back to a detour. Such twists are in principle a good thing, in "Dead Space 2" but they are inflationary and always used in exactly the same way. Here would have either a lift or a bit more variety in the design of "Cliffhanger" Not done. These somewhere fits the replay value - which is namely only available if you like to play at a higher difficulty level. Alternative solutions are available for a chapter. The transitions between the sections are flowing in contrast to its predecessor, and will be displayed only briefly by "Chapter X" -Einblendung. Somehow strange, because you often until the next save point notices that one is ever in a new chapter.
And another point, are the reason for criticism must be mentioned. Who was shortly before his trip to the "sprawl" in "Rapture", will notice that the - let's call it - "similarities" to "BioShock" have become not just less. To put it bluntly: Whether one moves through the Space or the underwater city makes virtually no difference. The learned "BioShock" players will include the ever-recurring audio and Textlogs that drive the plot, familiar. Even that one is led by radio to their destination, two titles have in common, as well as the upgrading of weapons, the hacking of systems and the cramped, eerie atmosphere. Whether the former inhabitants of the settlement by "Adam" or "markers" were transformed, hardly makes a difference whether one "splicers" or "Nekromorphen" kill, is almost the same whether a water leakage or escape of the atmosphere into space fall victim, is only a marginal difference. Also billboards, shops and general amenities of places seem more than similarly and the harpoon gun as one also has seen elsewhere. Only the sarcastic humor of "BioShock" is missing from the much more serious "Dead Space 2" almost completely. These matches would have to actually criticize heavily - if not because both games would be so much fun. Nevertheless, slightly more autonomy would have been desirable.
A word about the brutality in "Dead Space 2": Although the shocking moments have lost some weight, so you do not constantly stands just before the heart Kasper, all the pleasure was again similarly brutal designed as in the predecessor. The severing of body parts remains an essential factor in eliminating the hordes of monsters. And yes, as in other reviews mention: specifically, the children station has it all. And that is certainly to be understood as buying warning for the faint hearted! The "18" sticker is here absolutely appropriate ...
Taking all these together and makes them points of criticism against the existing improvements, achieved "Dead Space 2" for my opinion the same Appreciation as its predecessor. For the full five stars is still missing a bit - that exist for the game, which has increased again compared to part 1 due to various improvements. By the way, in "Dead Space" especially towards the end slightly confusing story is much clearer by eating part. 2 This also increases the anticipation to continuing.
