[PC, PS3, X360] Review Roundup - Dead Space 2

[PC, PS3, X360] Review Roundup - Dead Space 2 IGN - 9/10 - "Dead Space 2 is more than just an action game and it's more than a survival horror game -- it's a game that tells a really personal story about a guy who has been seriously scarred by the events around him. That premise alone makes it interesting, but Visceral Games melds it with rewarding combat, shocking enemies, and huge set pieces before tossing it into a world that's truly creepy and scary. I didn't find multiplayer that interesting and would've liked to have seen Isaac stop being an errand boy, but none of that spoils what you're getting here. The shocking moments, the gruesome deaths, and the fun of playing through this experience again and again are what I took away from this one. Dead Space 2 is an excellent game, and it's well worth your time and money."

1UP - A- - "Though, when both the multiplayer and the single-player's biggest flaws are, 'they aren't as good as some of the amazing elements in this game,' you have a damn fine game. But this isn't just a clear, 'this game is better than its predecessor,' situation. Take away the interface tweaks and improved mechanics behind how Isaac moves and feels, and examine the overall structure, you don't have a 'good game and then a better game,' you have two different games: a creepy sci-fi horror game with some damn good action versus a damn good sci-fi shooter with some creepy parts."

GameSpot - 8.5/10 - "Dead Space 2 doesn't bring with it the same sense of experiencing something utterly new and innovative that its predecessor did. But it's nonetheless a terrific game, with a campaign that simultaneously leaves you satisfied and eager for more, and intense multiplayer that gives you a great reason to keep coming back to this terrifying universe. Unless you're just plain chicken, this is a sci-fi horror adventure you definitely want to suit up for."

Eurogamer - 9/10 - "Nevertheless, this is an exemplary game. The sound design is second to none, the gurgle of unseen enemies raising the tempo of fear. Isaac himself now enjoys his own dialogue and has become a more knowable protagonist, with cutaways revealing the face under the helmet on multiple occasions. Meanwhile, the mental visions invading his consciousness on top of the horror of his reality lend the game a Jacob's Ladder feel. These add depth and sit well alongside the one-note Scream-style shocks elsewhere. Considered in isolation, Dead Space 2's ambience, brute frights and player toolset are good rather great. But in combination, these three elements prove as irresistible as the pull on Isaac exerted by a malfunctioning airlock. For once, you'll want to let go."

Game Informer - 9/10 - "Dead Space 2 is a monster of a sequel, offering bigger scares and more excitement than I expected. I enjoyed Isaac as a silent protagonist in the original game, and I find I like him even more now that he’s found his voice. I’m still confused by the scientific explanations for the contagion and how it is linked to the obelisk-like Marker, but I like where Isaac’s story is going. The tease for Dead Space 3 has my head spinning with questions."

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