Along with the first gameplay trailer for Motive’s Dead Space, Electronic Arts revealed several new features coming to the remake. The new dismemberment system now has an official name – the Peeling System.
This essentially adds tendons, bones and layers of flesh to Necromorphs which “break, tear and shatter in shocking new ways.” It’s a way to represent the damage your weapons are dealing. However, the developer also promises “increased opportunities for creativity in how they utilize their variety of unique weapons and abilities to combat these horrifying enemies.”
Then there’s the Intensity Director, which dynamically adjusts everything that can appear in Isaac’s path. From the Necromorph spawns (and their methods of attack) to effects like smoke, particles, sound effects, and lighting. It affects Isaac’s stress level, altering his heartbeat and breathing in response and further adding to the horror.
While Isaac can refashion mining tools into weapons, he can also use the Ishimura’s environment to turn the tables. Instead of a silent protagonist, Gunner Wright is confirmed to be returning and will add “new narrative enrichments” as Isaac’s voice. Finally, as previously revealed, the entire experience is “one sequential shot” without camera cuts or loading screens to break the action. The Ishimura also offers new rooms, obstacles and routes while “new UI map controls” and an “improved locator” have also been added.
Dead Space remake is out on January 27th, 2023, for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC. It’s currently available to pre-order.