Metascore

Generally favorable reviews - based on 28 Critics What's this?

User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 565 Ratings

  • Summary: Hero Isaac Clarke returns for another heart-pounding adventure, taking the fight to the Necromorphs in this thrilling action-horror experience. New tools to gruesomely slice and dismember the Necromorphs complement Isaac's signature Plasma Cutter, empowering him as he meets new characters, explores epic Zero-G environments, and fights against a relentless necromorph onslaught. Survival isn't the only thing on Isaac's mind in Dead Space 2 – this time, he calls the shots. [Electronic Arts] Expand
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 28
  2. Negative: 0 out of 28
  1. Jan 25, 2011
    95
    Many horror games are able to deliver shocks during play, but none does it as well as Dead Space 2. Isaac's inner struggle in the tense setting of "Sprawl" provides an unforgettable atomsphere, making Dead Space 2 one of the most terrifying and unmissable horror games this generation and the benchmark for others to follow.
  2. Jan 25, 2011
    95
    Dead Space 2 is the best Survival Horror of this generation.
  3. Mar 18, 2011
    86
    It's just a huge shame that it's not as terrifying as it should be. [Apr 2011, p.98]
  4. Feb 24, 2011
    70
    If you loved the first Dead Space, you'll like this one. Just not as much. [Mar 2011, p.64]

See all 28 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Negative: 14 out of 127
  1. 10
    Dead Space 1 and 2 are the best examples of interactive horror.....Resident Evil 5 was an embarrassment, frankly, in both tone and content, but this franchise, and this game, in particular nail the wonderful feeling of tension that great games can achieve. The first Dead Space introduced a limited number of well-designed encounters, with a few weapons to balance your progression. DS2 is a tougher game, but is also more modular, with greater variance in player agency in the campaign. Some of the most visceral reactions I had to this game were simply the empowerment one feels after upgrading a weapon (For me, the Javelin gun was hands-down the most powerful with the alt-fire) and feeling untouchable........I do have to bring up the misguided attempt at quick-time sequences/scripted sequences. At times, the game reminds me of Contra or Gradius, with rote memorization rearing its ugly head. This is one of my least favorite trends in narrative gaming at the moment...so, please Visceral, CEASE AND DESIST with any all encounters (Everyone who has played knows of the few I speak of) that are essentially a shooting gallery. Trust your sound design. Trust that we are unnerved by the anticipation of a fair fight by the fantastic lighting and signature noises emitted. (The raptors are a great example of a fair but still challenging/thrilling fight) And trust how unfun it is learn a certain monster closet and perfect it until the choreography is correct.......Games are not formulas, they are a combination of ingredients to be cooked with. Here's hoping Dead Space 3 is even more delicious. Expand
  2. Dead Space 2 is a really good game, but doesn't outdo the first game. All the gameplay has been refined and freshened up, such as a new locator system, and a better interface. Dead Space 2 is not as scary as the first game, but has more action, more story, new weapons and even a multiplayer mode. This game is great, so fans like me will have a good time with this. Expand
  3. Much better port than to original game. The options are still a bit limited and the camera still feels a little odd, but the overall controls are improved and the UI is improved as well. Zero gravity segments are drastically better than in the original game but the came during these segments is a headache to control. The story isn't as good but it's full of twists and turns to keep you interested. I definitely wouldn't consider this game scary at all, it's more of an action-thriller. If you liked the first game, you will surely like this one more. Expand
  4. Closed door sections and the overuse of "rare sudden explosive" events are getting old. The game play might be okay, but in overall this is just a Michael Bay movie. Not really bad, but it has its share of unimaginative shooting sections, where the doors magically lock and unlock. The quick-time events are redundant, and are there just for the touch of surprise. Having said that, surprise is the main element of the game. Would have been a very interesting game, if they exploited some more dynamic options instead of pure scripted events. Expand

See all 127 User Reviews