For gamers only interested in chasing spine-tingling scares, Dead Space 3 is not for you.
But what it lacks in fright factor, it makes up for in breathless entertainment, with an enthralling campaign that grabs hold of you and won't let go until the closing credits roll.
Once again, you're thrust into the boots of engineer Isaac Clarke, who's being hunted by Marker-worshiping Unitologists. Living in hiding, Isaac is paid a visit by Captain Robert Norton and Segeant John Carver who want his help to destroy the Necromorph origin, a Marker, on an icy planet called Tau Volantis.
After the duo tell him that Ellie Langford (Isaac's now ex-girlfriend from Dead Space 2) is in trouble, Isaac reluctantly agrees to help them on their quest.
Thankfully, before you start, the game makes a decent attempt of filling in the back story through a medley of cinematics and narration.
At its core, this remains a Dead Space game, with well-thought out shooting mechanics and a focus on strategic dismemberment of your Necromorph foes.
However, levels are much more open than in the original - shifting the focus away from inducing pant-wetting suspense, and more on action. The abundance of high-quality cinematic, too, suggests a greater move towards a big-budget blockbuster which may jar with Dead Space purists.
Detractors, however, will be few and far between because of how well this latest Dead Space incarnation is executed.
With a large portion of the game set in a snowy wilderness rather than claustrophobic corridors and hanger bays, Visceral Games have still managed to capture a wonderful sense of atmosphere.
The more expansive environment gives an even greater sense of impossible odds, and the game's Visceral Engine performs admirably.
There's plenty of colour and variation, too - ranging from the bustling cityscape of a lunar colony to abandoned vessels floating amidst a sea of space debris.
Not all environments look as good as they should do, though, with the lunar colony being particularly underwhelming, resembling a hodge-podge of blocky rectangles with minimal detail.
Gameplay, too, is not without its faults – with Dead Space 3 suffering somewhat from an identity crisis.
Although Isaac can now roll out of the way of attacks, the abundance of monster closets coupled with an inability to shoot from the hip, often results in cheap shots from behind. With a greater focus on action, it’s surprising that a shoot-from-the-hip function was not first on Dead Space 3’s agenda.
Thankfully, there is a much more detailed weapon management mechanic, with a focus on crafting new weapons rather than simply upgrading them.
Each weapon can be customised with different tips and attachments, although in the early stages of the game, the plasma cutter tool is really all you need.
There is an issue with weapon balancing as some can be made so powerful that even the hardest foes can be quashed with ease.
But perhaps the most blatant statement of Visceral’s intent to focus on action comes in the inclusion of a cooperative mode.
You play as hardened military man Carver. It’s entertaining enough, and co-op is seamlessly integrated into the main story.
Unfortunately, you have to wait for a game to start or until a player reaches a checkpoint to join. This, coupled with cut-scenes that can't be skipped can be frustrating.
Dead Space 3 isn’t perfect by any means, but look past the minor gripes and you’ll be rewarded with a sci-fi shooter that’s out of this world.
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