The video "The Design of Dead Space - Part 3" by Game Maker's Toolkit explores the changes made to the Dead Space franchise, specifically in Dead Space 3, and how these alterations shifted the game from its original survival horror roots to a more action-oriented experience. The video analyzes the game's design, pacing, and mechanics, as well as discussing the impact of publisher and marketing decisions on the series.
Dead Space 3 saw a significant departure from the franchise's original survival horror focus. The game begins with cinematic set-pieces and automatic weapons shootouts, and while it eventually returns to a more familiar Dead Space feel, the action-heavy focus remains throughout. The game's mechanics have been altered, with the introduction of universal ammo and a new crafting system that allows players to create powerful weapons easily. This added power makes the game less frightening and more action-oriented, as players no longer need to manage resources or make difficult combat decisions.
The game also introduces a cooperative mode, which further reduces the horror elements by allowing players to team up and fight enemies together. This mode adds some co-op friendly mechanics, such as one player defending another while solving puzzles, but it has little impact on the single-player experience.
In terms of structure, Dead Space 3 is closer to the first game, with backtracking and exploration of a cohesive research station. However, the game suffers from pacing issues, with repetitive environments and a lack of variety in combat situations. Despite these issues, Dead Space 3 does include some interesting puzzles and story beats.
The video suggests that the shift in design focus from horror to action was influenced by publisher and marketing decisions from EA, with the aim of appealing to a broader audience. This decision led to the inclusion of the co-op campaign, microtransactions, and competitive multiplayer mode in Dead Space 2. However, these changes ultimately alienated the series' core fanbase and failed to achieve the desired sales figures.
In conclusion, the video argues that the Dead Space franchise lost its unique identity as it became more action-heavy and less focused on survival horror. The series serves as a cautionary tale for game developers, emphasizing the importance of staying true to a game's original vision rather than attempting to appeal to a wider audience at the expense of core fans.
