Summary
- The Dead Space remake succeeded in updating the original while maintaining its tense atmosphere and narrative depth.
- A potential Dead Space 2 remake could learn from FF7 Remake and Rebirth's narrative changes for a fresh experience.
- Through potential remakes, Dead Space could rectify past missteps and pave the way for a rejuvenated series.
Dead Space's unrelenting atmosphere combined with a twisting and heartbreaking narrative made for one of the best horror games of the generation. However, by the time of 2013's third entry, changes in design and tone left a sour note that ended up harming the series overall. That was until last year's Dead Space remake proved that it was possible to update the original for the better in various areas, particularly in its expanded story moments and characterizations, but also in gameplay improvements, all while not straying too far from its roots and all-important sense of constant tension.
With this achievement and the positive reception and sales performance that went along with it, there's hype and excitement around Dead Space 2 possibly getting the remake treatment. Though much different in genre, Final Fantasy 7's Remake and recent Rebirth could provide excellent blueprints for how a Dead Space 2 remake might work if EA Motive decides to move forward with one, which could ultimately positively affect a possible Dead Space 3 remake far into the future.
A Dead Space 2 Remake Could Take Notes from Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth's Approach to Story Changes
Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Rebirth Throw Narrative Curveballs
Final Fantasy 7 is one of the most beloved and iconic titles in gaming, with the 1997 original being regarded as a landmark release, often pointed to as the pinnacle of the franchise. When it came time for the FF7 Remake in 2020, there were hints laid leading up to it that it would be making some big alterations to the existing storyline.
FF7 Rebirth continues in this vein, subverting player expectations and providing a completely new experience in many ways, adhering to the true definition of "rebirth." The way FF7 Remake and Rebirth reshuffled and reimagined known and expected plot points was a big gamble, and yet it largely seems to have paid off. EA Motive, then, should take this as evidence that making similar, well-thought-out changes in a potential Dead Space 2 remake could pay off equally well in the long run.
Dead Space 2 Remake Could Switch Lanes and Set Up a Completely New Dead Space 3
A Dead Space 2 remake following Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth's path could potentially set up an entirely different third game, which is sorely needed. Most notably, its switch to action-heavy design and early iterations of microtransactions in a non-live-service game (which itself was in its initial stages of evolution) blemished the experience. Dead Space 3 also included a co-op campaign, and while an interesting idea, none of these items gelled particularly well with the series' previous horror elements and claustrophobic undercurrent.
Now that the Dead Space remake has revitalized the series, it presents EA Motive with the opportunity to rectify some of the franchise's prior shortcomings in the future. One way of doing so would be to consider taking a look at how FF7 Remake/Rebirth managed its approach to story and other changes and imparting some of them to a remake of Dead Space 2's story and certain events, which would in turn inform the direction of a possibly reworked Dead Space 3 afterward.
By bridging the gap and diverging from established aspects in this fashion, Dead Space could begin its own rebirth and lead to completely new and improved modern entries.
Dead Space
- Released
- January 27, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Rated M for Mature for Blood and Gore, Strong Language, and Intense Violence.
- Developer(s)
- EA Motive
- Publisher(s)
- Electronic Arts
- Franchise
- Dead Space
- Platform(s)
- Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC, PlayStation 5
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
- How Long To Beat
- 12 Hours
- File Size Xbox Series
- 31 GB (November 2023)
- Metascore
- 89
- PS Plus Availability
- N/A
