#bret robbins

[tinysamm]

An important and extremely frightening feature of the enemies in Dead Space comes through in how they address being incapacitated in some way; depending on the enemy, losing a limb or a head isn’t the end of their relentless onslaught, and they continue moving after the player, but with subtle changes made to their actions. Headless enemies move forward arms outstretched, grasping for the player. Enemies that can no longer walk will scramble towards them on the floor. They adapt to their new circumstances, and thus provide a unique challenge in play while also changing up that play during individual encounters based on player decisions.

[tinysamm]

The camera in Dead Space is gripped tightly over the shoulder of the player character- and from that decision comes many aspects of the game’s claustrophobic environment and sense of horror. In choosing to make the player feel separate but also very close to Isaac, it’s A) more difficult to disengage from the situation he’s in, and B) much easier to make moments where enemies are able to sneak up on you, while also indicating they’re behind you once they do attack.