Back in 2008, EA Interactive and EA Redwood Shores introduced the gaming industry to the twisted world of Dead Space. With a heavy emphasis on dismemberment, Dead Space pit gamers in the shoes of Isaac Clarke, an engineer turned survivalist after the ship he is on meets an unfortunate fate with the “planet cracker” starship, the USG Ishimura. Aboard the desolate vessel, Isaac finds himself face to face with monstrosities that only the sickest of minds could develop. The success of this visceral survival horror title spawned a critically acclaimed sequel and a light gun spin-off that remained on-par with the series staple horror. Nearly four years after Isaac’s ill-fated trek aboard the Ishimura and only one year after his battle through the fictitious space station, the Sprawl, EA is ready to throw Isaac to the necromorphs one more time in Dead Space 3.
Previous announcements for Dead Space 3 hinted at an icy environment akin to the frozen world of E.D.N. III of Lost Planet. Though speculation over the change of setting continues to shroud the 2013 release, Visceral Games (developer of Dead Space 2 and 3) is sure to throw out a few more teasers to keep the gaming world talking. A recent update to the Dead Space official website has brought to light a new teaser video that not only confirms the new environment, but also gives the mentally unstable Isaac a potential “brother in arms”. Outside of adding a little depth to the game’s story and gameplay, the inclusion of a second protagonist may also be an indication of Visceral Game’s desire to add co-op multiplayer to the series.
The first thing the video does for fans is give a name to the new icy world. Through the two and a half minute long teaser, which is styled in comic book fashion, Uxor is introduced as housing one of the game’s troublesome, yet mysterious Markers – the supernatural artifact behind the necromorph infestation and Isaac’s currently fragile state of mind. Sergeant John Carver, who is charged with guarding the artifact on the cold planet, finds himself the witness of an attack on the Marker which, in true video game fashion, throws his life in disarray. Forced to battle through a whole new army of necromorphs, Carver must survive through the newly infested colony.
In a description of the video on the series website, EA wrote, “This is just the start of John Carver’s saga in the Dead Space Universe.” Though it could be read as a simple statement, this could also be an indication that the Dead Space series will stretch beyond a trilogy and, maybe, will do so without the series’ current protagonist, Isaac Clarke.
With the E3 2012 expo in a little over a week, it’s possible that many of the questions currently encompassing Dead Space 3 may be answered. Currently, Visceral is looking at an early 2013 release for the third installment in the Dead Space series.
