Should EA opt to move forward with the Dead Space franchise and introduce a fourth installment, it should take cues from both the strengths and weaknesses of its prior releases. This involves streamlining unnecessary features and focusing on the core elements that have defined the series. Additionally, the next Dead Space game should look to the indie game sphere for inspiration, with a standout 2022 release serving as an ideal source of creative influence.
The Dead Space remake effectively revitalized the franchise, bringing it back to the forefront while maintaining the original 2008 game's psychological horror and unyielding tension and unease. Although Dead Space 2 amplified these essential qualities, the series began to prioritize action and spectacle, albeit retaining its identity. However, Dead Space 3 veered entirely towards blockbuster sci-fi action, stripping away nearly all traces of horror. The ongoing debate about Dead Space 3's quality notwithstanding, it is evident that the game deviated from the series' initial vision, a pitfall that a fourth installment should actively avoid.
Embracing Signalis' Influence
Often overlooked, the 2022 title Signalis stands out as one of the top indie survival horror games in recent years. Developed by Rose-Engine, the avant-garde game draws from iconic franchises like Resident Evil and Silent Hill while introducing ample experimental elements, resulting in a uniquely captivating horror experience distinct from other titles in the genre.
Signalis follows Elster, an android whose psyche is based on a real individual's memories and personality, as she endeavors to unravel the mysteries of a malfunctioning off-world mining facility and her own enigmatic past. The game's otherworldly sci-fi level design, emphasis on psychological horror, and subtly intense setpiece moments make it compelling, reminiscent of the original Dead Space.
Lessons from Signalis for Dead Space 4
While Dead Space 2 successfully balanced horror and action, preserving the relentless psychological horror of its predecessor is integral to its allure. The 2008 Dead Space delves into Isaac's guilt and trauma following the suicide of his girlfriend, Nicole. These emotions leave him psychologically tormented, plagued by delusions and denial, permeating the entire game. While the shocking twist ending is impactful, the true essence lies in Isaac's ongoing psychological struggles, intertwined with the enigmas of his past and his relationships with Nicole and, to a lesser extent, his mother. Signalis resonates with many of these themes, arguably doing so even more effectively.
The game presents Elster's haunting visions and the enigma of her past in a deeply disquieting manner, leaving players in perpetual suspense. While it may be improbable for Dead Space, as a mainstream AAA series, to embrace experimentation at the level of Signalis, understanding how the latter utilizes elements such as sound design, cutscenes, and dramatic shifts in perspective (transitioning from fixed-camera third-person to first-person, for instance) could elevate the next installment's horror impact. Furthermore, assimilating Signalis' approach to conveying central plot elements and themes of guilt and remorse could aid the upcoming Dead Space game in rediscovering its origins, particularly following the complete shift to action-shooter in Dead Space 3.