Dead Space 2 to focus less on horror

PALGN News | More action and wide appeal.

In news that may not please some fans of the original Dead Space, developer Visceral Games has said that the sequel will focus more on the action, and less on horror. In an interview with IndustryGamers, senior Vice President of Visceral Games, Nick Earl, said, “The first one was well received, and we want to take advantage of that start with something that has tremendously wide appeal.”

“We're more focused on the action than the horror this time. We're more empowering to the player. We've got a lot of feature innovation and we feel comfortable because we have something with resonance and we have something that's so capable,” he said.

In the full interview, Earl also talks about the decision to launch Dante’s Inferno against Bioshock 2 and how they hope that the effort put into the game will help it to be successful against the competition.

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26 Comments

mikezilla2

1 month ago

bah - just dont go all RE5 on me , the main reason why dead-space succeeded was because it was A : in space B : horror related and C: a 3rd person adventure - for me it did what RE5 couldn't .

the doag

1 month ago

First game was all about atmosphere and it was amazing. If its an action packed game, instead of the horror, its a backwards step in my eyes.

JackSlack

1 month ago

I have a horrible feeling we're seeing the ripple effects of economic crunch, somehow. Everyone wants to amp up action.

dloiscute

1 month ago

Bayonetta in space.

redemption

1 month ago

They had a focus on horror the first time? wow, label me stunned.
The first had a good atmosphere, if they can still create that with a more action orientated game, power to them. But still, it would be nice if they tried to scare us.

fupoisme

1 month ago

More action is fine, but I think they really need to up to the horror as well. While the original had fantastic atmosphere, I think more could have been done to make the environment more disturbing and unsettling.

Qbert

1 month ago

Arrrgh, screw wide appeal. First the announce multiplayer for a game that it so obviously wouldn't suit, but I could live with that. Now they announce that they are focusing on action more than horror and I am beginning to lose interest. Obviously I will wait for more information before I make my purchasing decision, but this is bad news. The game that blew life into a dieing genre is now trying to hang with the cool crowd but going all actiony with us...if that makes sense.

RichieT23

1 month ago

Yeah, I tend to agree with you Qbert. I absolutely loved the atmosphere and tension of the first game. I really hope they don't screw it up. Visceral should pay more attention to the overall reviews and opinions of their 2 recent games. Dead Space averaged about 89 I think and was widely praised. Yet, Dantes Inferno so far is getting pretty lukewarm reception. Go figure.

ace_mclean

1 month ago

Well Dead Space shone in the areas of the atmosphere, music and tension definitely. That's essentially what made the game stand out IMO, and by going for a more action approach is generic and I personally don't think it'll succeed.
For example, you play Mass Effect 2 for the choices and the massive environments. Just making it more actiony and less Mass Effecty isn't going to get it sales

ANDYBALLINA

1 month ago

WTF.....Bad move. I have no idea why companies do this with there sequels. They change awesome things from the first game to make it more appealing to mass audience.

As Qbert said it bought fresh life to the genre and was awesome for that. God just stick with atmosphere, music and tension like the first game created. I'm sure that what the fan's loved about it and would want the same.

I don't know why companies feel the end to make more actiony games and put MP onto there sequels. Just focus on what was awesome about the first game (the single player experience) and strengthen that, rather than adding unneccesary components.

Considering how well the first game was recieved and the game on the Wii, they should keep to the same formula. Not happy.

Peter Cotton Tail

1 month ago

I loved this game from the start because I felt like I was actually in a horror film. Lots of creepy sound effects, great atmosphere, and loads of gore with some chaotic plot twists. Who would'nt be freaked out being all by yourself on a ship filled with infected/mutated people turned into aliens. F**K action, I want to be scared Sh**Less! More action would be fine too, but dont neglect the aspects that made this game what it is!

LeonJ

1 month ago

Fail.

Nic_231

1 month ago

I do not support this.
I would ramble on as to why but I pretty much agree with what everyone above me has said.
Carry on.

kostaxtreme

1 month ago

I loved the first one. The pace, atmosphere, gameplay etc.
I just hope that what they mean by more action is somewhat like "filler" in the larger areas of the game's setting. It's much larger than the Ishimura so hopefully we still get a decent amount of horror still, but also able to experience some really intense fights. Hopefully Visceral Games don't lose sight in what made the original a spectacle in this generation of games.
But I will agree with everyone else that this game prides itself on horror and should not be left as a secondary game concept.

notsofat

1 month ago

oh yay re5...

Shadow Wave

1 month ago

lame

Sin Ogaris

1 month ago

My first thought was Alien compared to Aliens. Which actually got me really excited, now having actually thought about it I realise it just isn't a good idea at all (Although how awesome would a trashy cliched action flick like Aliens be in the Dead Space universe).

EatChildren

1 month ago

Yes, this is a good idea. Take what people loved about the first one; the horror atmosphere, and replace it with action.

Good idea. Great. It might turn out as awesome as Resident Evil 5!

devonuto

1 month ago

Sounds skip-worthy

the doag

1 month ago

Little off topic u but its being referenced here continuously but Resident Evil 5. For me was an excellent game, fast paced, still scary as all hell, amazing graphics, tension and music to boot.

3mt

1 month ago

Appealing for a mass audience = dumbing down the game, making it more generic - because that's what the majority of people are used to.

Nic_231

1 month ago

dloiscute wrote

Bayonetta in space.

Actually, disregard my last comment. I'm ok with this...

Soap of Death

1 month ago

I haven't played Dead Space but from what I hear it was a breath of fresh air. Shame to hear of the new direction they want to take now.

brad_sickness

1 month ago

I own the first Dead Space and shamefully haven't played much of it yet, despite owning it for well over a year. I can say, however, that the stuff I have played kept me on the edge and I even jumped in my seat sometimes. I can't say I had been like that since playing horror games when I was a kid.

I really hope this move doesn't change a great deal of what makes the first one what it is.

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