7 things we want from Dead Space 2

We love the original Dead Space. Like really love it. And with the first footage of the sequel slipping out at PAX East 2010 last week, we’ve been thinking about things we want from Dead Space 2. Obviously, 72% of the game should be made of those awesome hoverboot sections, but we also want more scares, new enemies and more varied locations.

An Isaac who isn't a mute

We’re not saying the Gordon Freeman/Half-life angle didn’t work in the first game. What we are saying, is the first game’s script was good enough that we’re confident the developer could pull off a compelling Isaac who also had a working larynx. In the original, our heroic space miner was a passive character, who we easily related to thanks to his dire situation. But for this sequel, we want a fully fleshed-out protagonist, filled with all the doubt, paranoia and fear that would come with being stuck in a spaceship full of things that want to eat your face.

Above: We're pretty sure Isaac would have loads of deep and meaningful stuff to say

Better enemies

Granted, most of the Necromorphs we encountered on the Ishimura were scary buggers, but none of them were that memorable. Oh sure, there was the Leviathan, that one that kept regenerating… eh, those ones with the explosive hands and…?  Lets be honest, most of the bog standard baddies weren’t that interesting. For the sequel, we want more distinct enemies who move in radically different ways and genuinely encourage us to use all the weapons in our arsenal.

Above: Now that's what we're talkin' about

A more cohesive plot

Y’know, one we can actually understand. While Dead Space’s script was solid and interesting, the whole religious subtext was mega confusing. So the Church of Unitology is evil? Wait, why is there so much fuss over that fat-ass magic rock? A simpler, less cluttered narrative with a more pronounced evil doer at the helm could be just what the undead doctor ordered. Resident Evil 3 nailed an absorbing narrative by being as simple and scary as all hell. A giant obsessed mutant wants to stick its fingers through your face, so you run away because you like your face finger free. Follow this template and the game might well be all the better for it.

Above: Why, indeed