Dead Space Review

[Guest Reesters]

Dead Space - Review

The main reason we are gamers is the enjoyment of being taken out of your comfort zone, to experience feelings and scenarios that may not be even possible in reality and for me, to make all manor of girly noises and to break out in creepy sweats when I play a decent horror game.

So naturally when I heard about Dead Space coming to XPLAY, I immediately started to wonder how a game with such an un-nerving soundtrack, creepy monster mechanics and not half bad graphics would transfer to the smaller screen. Well I would need to play with my headphones on, and I wouldn't be able to play outside because screen glare is such an issue and I was right; Dead Space should only be played when you are alone, in the dark with a pair of cans on.

Sure enough on start up I am advised to wear headphones...

First thing I would advise is to adjust your screen timeout in settings > display before you play as half way through the intro scene you might fade to black. The game starts off as it usually does, with a brief training period - a chance for you to get to know the ultra sensitive controls. There are options to either play with the analog 'sticks' or touch screen. At first I found both to be a little confused. With the analog controls being a flat surface I found my character Isaac to be walking backwards at times which is a tad frustrating.

Once the controls are mastered I found myself getting suckered into gameplay. Graphics are smooth and crisp and gameplay is quick and lagfree. With any horror game it is the soundtrack that keeps you plugged in and with my headphones firmly in place and in the thick of the action I really forgot I was playing on what is essentially a 'phone. A real feat in my eyes.

EA have really worked hard to transfer this cracker of a game to the XPLAY but I can't help thinking they have fallen just an inch short. It is the controls that let it down. The graphics and soundtrack are spot on. If the controls were tightened up it would have been a masterpiece. Nobody likes to feel frustrated when gaming... unless it is a puzzle game.

To download Dead Space is going to set you back £5 and as someone who has played Dead Space before I would say only download if you are a fanboy/girl or if you haven't had the pleasure of playing DS before now. There is an option to trial the game before buying and I would recommend in doing so.

So can a gaming giant like Dead Space be transfered to a device like XPLAY sucessfully? My answer is yes. If you have the patience to get a grip on the controls, which was the only issue here then tuck yourself in at night, put your headphones in and fire up Dead Space. Just don't moan at me when you get nightmares.

Available now on Xperia PLAY only via your 'on board' Playstation Pocket

[Guest Barbs80]

LOVE the Dead Space games on PS3 - completed both.

Unfortunately I've not got an XPlay (HTC desire). As you mention touch screen controls, is this game going to be released for the rest of the Android population?

Not liking all these specific handset game releases :(

[Guest Reesters]

LOVE the Dead Space games on PS3 - completed both.

Unfortunately I've not got an XPlay (HTC desire). As you mention touch screen controls, is this game going to be released for the rest of the Android population?

Not liking all these specific handset game releases :(

As far as I am aware titles released on XPLAY will eventually be released across all Android devices (hopefully in the next few months)... I know it must be frustrating but Sony Ericsson are showcasing exactly how progressive Android devices can be with releasing gaming giants on one of their handsets exclusively.

This forum is about gaming in general... I just so happen to game on my XPLAY but feel free to get involved!!!

If there is anything you want to know or that you want to share get busy and get it up here!

[Guest Barbs80]

I know it must be frustrating but Sony Ericsson are showcasing exactly how progressive Android devices can be with releasing gaming giants on one of their handsets exclusively.

After looking into it further. it's just a port of the iPhone version which has been round a while. There's no reason they couldn't have released this for all devices capable of running it (except EA probably got a wedge of cash from SE for the exclusivity).

It just encourages people to look into 'alternative' methods of getting the game. A quick google shows it's freely available on many sites - but who knows what kind of malware could have been added to the apk.

Do you think the cash that EA got from SE will make up for the lost earnings due to piracy for the people not willing to wait the weeks/months until its released to all?

[Guest Reesters]

After looking into it further. it's just a port of the iPhone version which has been round a while.

Yes Dead Space has been available on iOSx for a while now... common knowledge but I am hoping that Android fans see this as a step further and that not only are developers looking towards Android as an OS capable of running high end games but that Android gamers are too. Yes it is XPLAY exclusive for now but it will not be for long. Patience is a virtue.