Dead Space 2 - TTLG Forums

Volitions Advocate on 26/1/2011 at 08:08

My interpretation differs from T-Smith so far.

I think the improvements are quite glaring, although probably because I've just finished DS1 for the 3rd time and dove straight into this.

It's true, the gameplay is much the same. Dismember, don't die. But WTF would you expect? that's the main mechanic of the game. Visuall it looks a great deal better as well. I tried taking some screenshots but all i got was black on the clipboard.

So far the first level/chapter/mission/whatever they're going to call it is very VERY reminiscent of the first level in FEAR 2. (as in the level AFTER the playable prologue)

A few things that are noteworthy. Perhaps a few minor spoilers, but they're things you'd learn within 15 minutes of playing the game.

Powernodes are not just in cabinets on the wall, you'll have to actually search for them.
We finally get to see Issac's skills as an engineer, Your first weapons he actually makes himself with components he tears out of machinery. (the plasma cutter, Kinesis, and Stasis modules)

There is a much stronger narrative so far. Issac actually speaks. I've mentioned in the other thread about how uneasy I felt playing DS the first time, and now after a couple of playthroughs that feeling isn't around anymore. Well after beating DS1 on Impossible with a fully upgraded rig/stasis/kinesis/plasmacutter/linegun/pulserifle where I felt like an Abrams, I've had to back off my tactics a bit to survive, but still now that Issac has more of a personality its not disappointing that I'm not as nervous about the necromorphs because Neither is Issac, He's still fighting for his life, but he knows what he's up against and experience seems to keep his head cool, and that seems to reflect on the narrative and my experience of the game.

Of course one thing he isn't dealing with so well is the fact that he's just a bit bonkers. And there are quite a few Fear-esque moments that get really unsettling. Not sure how far T-smith is but I've seen a few hallucinations so far that make me wonder if playing at 2 am with the lights off is a good idea. seeing nicole in the elevator for instance, it took me a minute to realize that she was even standing there and I panicked inside.

well I'm going back to play at least to the end of the first chapter, if there are chapters.
My review thus far:

Fuck the critics. This game is ace, and so was the first one.

I'm sorry you feel the need to buy it on xbox Eva. Just to support the PC is good enough for me to buy it for that platform, But even if the consoles get their DLC... They'll never play using Eyefinity. This game is gorgeous.

EvaUnit02 on 26/1/2011 at 08:25

Quote Posted by Dresden

Why would I buy the sequel when I didn't like the first game? I watched the Game Trailers review which was basically "It's a lot like the first game and shares many of it's problems, predictable monster closets, repetitive, bad multiplayer...9.0. Game of the Year".

It's pretty simple, if you haven't played a game, then you'll never be in any position to judge it. Your opinion on the subject is entirely meritless.

Pro-tip:- Next time think before you hit submit. You could've saved yourself a lot of face. From the current perspective, all I see is a moron, sorry.

Volitions Advocate on 26/1/2011 at 08:36

Got screenies working:

Also, forgot to mention, a few things. The path beacon.. thing. actually has different colours for different things. You can chose for it to show you Next Objective, Nearest Save Point, Nearest Store, and Nearest Bench. Handy.

Any framerate issues or under sensitive mouse, has also been fixed. Although Vsync still seems to hamper things a bit. Definately feels more like it was designed with PC in mind rather than a hasty port.

The only glitch I've seen so far is when I put it into a multi-monitor resolution, the main menu goes all blurry and I can't read it. Just the menu items themselves, not all the stuff around them, its weird. But anybody running a normal aspect ratio should be fine, I didn't notice any glitches there.

In Vacuum looking out at the Sprawl, See the one light just to the right of Issac by that pillar. It's actually a Power Node, Gotta keep your eyes sharp

(http://img842.imageshack.us/img842/3470/ds2vacuum.jpg)

Crawling through a maintenance hatch.
(http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/1532/ds2crawl.jpg)

Another view of the sprawl with a Busted ship in the way
(http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/3762/ds2city.jpg)

I guess this is how it deals with chapters now. No chapter titles has me a little disappointed. Its a trend that Extraction followed, why not this? Maybe because they know we know the secret.
(http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/6792/ds2chapter2.jpg)

K thats enough, Screw you guys, imma go play now.

Renzatic on 26/1/2011 at 08:46

I'll pick this one up sooner or later. Probably after I get burnt out on Magicka sometime here over the next month or so.

One question about the console ports, specifically the PS3 version. Does it support the new Playstation Wiimote-alike controller? If it does, it'd be the one I'd go for. I tried playing the original Dead Space with the 360 controller, and found it near impossible to use. So if I have go for a console just to get the DLC, I'd get the one that uses the next best thing to a kb/m setup.

T-Smith on 26/1/2011 at 10:04

Quote Posted by Volitions Advocate

My interpretation differs from T-Smith so far.

Not really. Most of what you said corresponds with how I feel about the game so far. That is to say - I love it. As for the scares - I'm quite a bit further than you so I won't spoil much, but the instances with Nicole are pretty creepy and continue to get more unnerving. I'm just dissapointed that, 5 chapters in, Isaac's insanity seems to only involve seeing her. In Extraction you'd be seeing dead friends, relatives, people who weren't there, ghost video communications, necromorphs who'd lunge then suddenly not be there, etc

In other DS news, I bought Dead Space for the iphone. Surprisingly, it's a pretty solid game. It's an original story taking place just before DS2 and it features most of the core elements from the series. It isn't on rails - you walk, aim, and shoot just like in the full game. It looks, sounds, and plays great and so far pulls off the whole "Marker Insanity" thing better than DS2.

EDIT - Nice screenshots, VERY widescreen though.

Volitions Advocate on 26/1/2011 at 10:54

Yeah, thats the great part of having 3 monitors.

Just finished chapter 5 myself. The majority of which was in the demo.

I'm enjoying how verbal Issac is. I thought it would be something I disliked, but when you're repeatedly stomping a necro once its down, I love the flurry of cuss words.

anyway, time for bed.

henke on 26/1/2011 at 11:21

I tried the DS2 demo a week ago and got stuck and too bored to figure out how to progress and gave up on it pretty quickly. I replayed it just now after buying and finishing DS1, and this time I loved it.

I don't think the DS demos are very good for people new to the series. I remember that I didn't finish the demo of the first one either. You need to play the whole game to get the proper learning curve to ease you into the game.

EvaUnit02 on 26/1/2011 at 11:37

Has anyone redeemed their Dragon Age 2 armour code over at Bioware Social yet? If so, for which platforms was the armour unlocked? All three? Just the one?
(http://social.bioware.com/user_entitlements.php)

Thanks in advance.

Digital Nightfall on 26/1/2011 at 13:47

I got about an hour in last night. The controls feel much more responsive, for starters.

I am once again amazed at the effects on the Environmental Art/Props layer you get with a more-of-the-same sequel. It's almost distracting how much more detailed and fleshed out the environments get when the art team can focus on just adding layers of content rather than starting from scratch on the basic concepts of the game's look. (The last time I noticed this was Bioshock 2.)

Is there any point in using this Dead-Space-1 style plasma cutter?

Bjossi on 26/1/2011 at 14:50

This sounds like a spiffy game, definitely going to pick this up soon. I am glad to hear the controls are more responsive, having to race my mouse across the mousepad 5 times to make a 180 degrees turn in aim mode with the fastest in-game setting is pretty annoying.

That DLC thing bothers me though. They announce it when the game has just been released in one region of the world. What gives? Why not delay the game a bit and make it longer? Console exclusive or not, releasing this DLC is a dirt cheap trick to make a bit more money. Even if there was a PC release (And we all know it will be, right?) I would probably avoid it out of principle. We gamers have the power to discipline the omnipotent, evil megapublishers.