Last year, the Dead Space remake pulled off the impossible: delivering a title that evolved the original’s gameplay and combat, without sacrificing any of its strengths. The title’s positive reception has fans new and old hoping for more remakes to follow, with the series’ best title, Dead Space 2, due to be modernized next. However, a Dead Space 2 Remake is already at a disadvantage, as the modernization of the original leaves little room for the second to improve upon. If and when it is released, Dead Space 2 Remake may have a harder time standing out from the original.
The Dead Space series’ first two entries were a masterclass in sci-fi horror. However, the second’s status as the overall best is largely derived from the marked improvements it made to Dead Space’s core mechanics, including its combat, movement, and environments. Many fans likely expect a Dead Space 2 Remake to accomplish the same. However, that may prove impossible due to EA Motive’s approach to last year’s release.
The Dead Space Remake Incorporated Many of Dead Space 2's Original Features
The original Dead Space 2 took what worked from its predecessor and raised the stakes considerably. It was bigger, bolder, more fine-tuned, and offered fans a much greater breadth of scope. Additionally, the sequel built upon the original’s navigation, movement, and combat, infusing a more fluid control system and allowing fans more room to explore. Alongside these gameplay improvements, Dead Space 2 boasted new and improved enemies, outfits, and weapons that gave the title a more modern and “action-packed” feel.
When EA Motive set to remake the original Dead Space, they infused the title with many of the improvements made in Dead Space 2. While this allowed the Dead Space remake to prosper, it also narrowed the gap between the two experiences. Dead Space 2 Remake may struggle to differentiate itself from its predecessor upon release, as little to no room for further modernization exists. However, the title can still differentiate itself in other ways, by leveraging the way that players experience its improved story and refreshed environments.
Dead Space 2 Remake Can Stand Out By Modernizing Its Environment
While the Dead Space remake leaves little room for a sequel to improve its core gameplay, Dead Space 2's setting - The Sprawl - offers a variety of fresh opportunities. Dead Space's USG Ishimura trapped Isaac in a claustrophobic space, but The Sprawl saw him forced to navigate a vast space station, featuring a variety of residential, commercial, and religious locations. This wide range of locations provided the foundation for Dead Space 2 to keep fans guessing, as grotesque and horrifying new enemies were born from the Marker's effect on each location, leading to some of Dead Space 2's most shocking moments. This enemy variety led to a wider range of weapons at Isaac's disposal, which helped to give the sequel a vastly different aesthetic and pace than the original.
Should Dead Space 2 Remake hope to differentiate itself from 2023's Dead Space remake, it would do well to overhaul The Sprawl, its enemies, and the various locations therein. Modern gaming hardware provides an ample opportunity for Dead Space 2 Remake to overhaul the sites, sounds, and interactive elements of The Sprawl, and can make these elements feel brand new by altering how players experience them first-hand. It remains to be seen when news of the Dead Space 2 Remake will first arrive, but fans are hopeful that the title can exceed expectations and further prove the Dead Space series' position as one of survival horror's best franchises.