Isaac Clarke is back in the 3^rd instalment of the Dead Space franchise bringing with him many new features including a coop buddy throughout the campaign, a new and improved weapon crafting system and the always controversial EA micro transactions.

Dead Space 3 does a great job of reminding you of everything that has happened in the previous titles during the introduction and includes parts from the book Dead Space Martyr. The story centres itself around the marker and the religious cult which believes that the marker will bring about a new age in human civilization.

The cult aspect brings about a variety in combat situations as you end up fighting these humans as well as the Necromorphs. The cult is hunting down Isaac throughout the whole game with the main cultist making many appearances to try and dispatch you. Like in the previous titles you see crazy cult signs throughout Dead Space 3 and witness some strange behaviour from the humans within the sect.

Dead Space 3 is the first game in the series to bring in drop in drop out 2 player coop which works smoothly most of the time but there are a few issues. If a player is currently in a game and a buddy wishes to join they have to wait until they hit the next checkpoint to actually spawn into the game and if someone disconnects the host will be sent back to the last checkpoint.

Whilst playing solo the experience of isolation from the previous titles is prevalent and the eeriness can certainly take hold with some jump out your seat scares taking place, but these situations are very few and far between. It seems that Visceral have gone for a more action oriented route this time around with many more enemies to fight and more characters to talk to.

An issue I came across whilst playing single player was that some of the access points and puzzles had sections for the coop buddy who obviously isn’t there but it was a constant reminder that I should have someone with me. During cooperative play the second character is pushed aside when it comes to some cut scenes but is prevalent in others and he seems to lack emotion at many pivotal moments. On many occasions the partner is incorporated really well into the storyline especially with the coop side missions where the second player will experience the effects of the marker by having hallucinations which leads to some crazy conversations in party chat.

My coop experience was playing as Isaac and my coop partner was seeing birthday cakes and other strange things whilst I saw just an empty room, at other moments I saw him holding his head rocking back and forth as I am killing Necromorphs shouting at him to help me. My buddies experience was all in his head as the effects of the marker were taking hold. It’s a great addition to the gameplay and something fresh that you would never experience in the single player. In my opinion Dead Space 3 is best played cooperatively.

What would an EA title be without the micro transactions? Dead Space 3 has the option to purchase the materials and upgrades you require to craft new weapons. The internet as usual has been up in arms about this news but you will be happy to know that this title can be enjoyed without the need to purchase anything. There are enough of the materials scattered throughout Dead Space 3 to make great weapons but you can easily go through the game without crafting any if you wish.

If you are a fan of the series then you won’t be disappointed with Dead Space 3 but the experience is definitely geared more toward cooperative play and I recommend you play it that way.

8/10