Dead Space:
Extraction scared my girlfriend’s cat. Don’t get me wrong – EA’s on-rails
horror/shooter terrified me too, but having the ability to frighten such an
indifferent, grumpy creature to the point that he exerted the effort necessary
to exit the room is impressive. And that isn’t the only surprising feature in
this Wii-exclusive prequel, as nearly everything that it attempts to do is
performed so unforgettably well that I can’t see another horror game this year
approaching these highs. If you ever said that the Wii is only for kids, Dead
Space: Extraction will not only make you eat your words, but will also create an
entirely new set of words to shove down your throat so that you can accurately
describe the awesomeness of this shooter to others.
The original
Dead Space began with your character, Isaac Clarke, discovering a seemingly
abandoned spacecraft that housed hundreds of undead monstrosities. Extraction
fills you in on how that ship became a floating graveyard, as you follow a group
of new characters that are trying to escape the infection that is engulfing
everything around them. Unlike its older brother, Dead Space: Extraction is an
on-rails shooter, which means that the camera moves through the environment
automatically. The only thing that the player controls is a cursor, which is how
you will dismember the uncountable number of beasties that are waiting to make
you one of their own. While many of these gameplay mechanics have been seen
before in games like House of the Dead, the way that Extraction adapts the Dead
Space mythology and presentation is what makes this one stand on top of the
rest.
The camera
of DS:E never feels like it’s on a mechanical track. You view the world through
the eyes of a very nervous and easily frightened group of characters, all of
whom are completely unprepared to face the horrors around them. This jittery,
erratic perspective really adds a lot to the feel of the game, as the skittish
glances and incessant trembling that overtakes your viewpoint makes you truly
believe that you are in this character’s head. In fact, the camera is handled so
well that you’ll honestly never miss the ability to control your character’s
movement, as everything has been framed perfectly by the game’s designers. Think
of it as a living, breathing horror movie or amusement park ride, one that
requires ‘trigger finger’ interaction by the viewer to allow it to continue. For
the full effect, I recommend using a Wii Zapper as you play, as the game was
specifically built to take advantage of it.
Like in the
original, the creatures of Extraction will never go down without a fight.
Landing a few well placed shots to the chest of the spider-like creations that
roam the ship’s hallways will do almost nothing to halt their movement, as
strategically dismemberment of their limbs is the only way to stop these
tortured souls. Using your array of upgradable weapons — which includes bolt
cannons, assault rifles, laser blasters, flame throwers and saw blade launchers
that each have two different firing modes — you will need to take out the arms,
legs, or heads of the monsters to keep them from getting too close for comfort.
This becomes tough very quickly, as their movement is erratic and there is
always more than one of them stalking you. Thankfully, the developers have
hidden a steady supply of ammo, weapons and upgrades around each environment for
you to grab, which nicely adds a bit of interactivity to the games’ many lengthy
cutscenes.
Remarkably,
each of Dead Space: Extraction’s 10 chapters feels radically different from one
another, introducing new enemies, additional weapons and clever gameplay
scenarios to keep things interesting. From spacewalks on the outside of the
ship’s hull and crawling through inhabited darkened vents to manning a turret in
an asteroid field and being chased around a landing pad by a giant tentacle, the
nonstop surprises around each corner will keep your adrenaline pumping. You will
also get involved in some tremendous boss fights, with creatures so massive and
menacing that it will take every last bullet in your arsenal to knock them down.
All of these scenarios look and sound exquisite for a Wii game, as the terrific
lighting, detailed backgrounds, quality voice acting, and chilling environmental
audio make Extraction a tour-de-force to behold.
Honestly,
the only negative point that I could raise about Dead Space: Extraction lies
solely at the feet of its on-rails architecture. Barring the occasional
mini-game, you’re still spending most of your time pointing and shooting. The
fact that every level is so heavily scripted also means that a replay of the
game would offer a completely identical experience, as the levels sorely lack
the alternate pathways that are usually found in these types of shooters. Any
extra mileage with this one will have to be ascertained through multiplayer, as
the entire campaign can be played cooperatively with a friend and an unlockable
challenge mode adds some extra thrills.
Despite
that, Dead Space: Extraction has easily become the definitive horror experience
on the Wii. It successfully takes every element that made the original work and
presents it in a new and exciting way that perfectly realizes the strengths of
its platform. Plus, it gives you another reason to justify that Wii Zapper
purchase. Stop lying, I know you have one.
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Gameplay: 8.5
Yes, most of what
you do involves pointing and shooting, yet the brilliant level design,
overabundance of collectables, and large variety of weapons and upgrades will
keep your butt planted from start to finish.
Graphics: 9.0
If the gritty,
realistic textures and horrific enemy models don’t blow you out of your chair,
the game’s astonishing camera work and atmosphere will. Easily one of the best
looking games on the Wii.
Sound: 9.0
Terrific voice acting across the board, spine-tingling sound effects that
set the mood perfectly, and unsettling music that will make you consider playing
with the lights on.
Difficulty: Medium
Extraction offers
four difficulty settings, with Hard being the recommended place to start for
shooter veterans. Normal is a bit too easy.
Concept: 8.0
The on-rails
shooting is nothing original, but the powers, weapons, setting, enemies, and the
way the camera is handled all make DS:E stand clearly in front of all that has
come before it.
Multiplayer: 8.0
Two-player couch
co-op is available throughout the entire campaign, with an unlockable challenge
mode also offering plenty to do with a buddy.
Overall: 8.6
Dead Space:
Extraction is simply a must-play for any Wii owner over the age of 18 as you
won’t find a more immersive, blood-chilling action adventure title anywhere else
this fall.
