Gameplay is fun, writing is fantastic, and story is both engaging and full of surprises. The team grows closer over the course of the story and they show that in ways more than dialogue, and there is a LOT of dialogue but it's all great. The game got some major laughs out of me and there are some themes in the game that I found to be written really really well, like topics of grief and loss.

The only reason this isn't 5 stars entirely for me is because I encountered some bugs, a few of which did ruin my immersion at times. There were a couple instances I had to reload from my last checkpoint because I got stuck in areas that aren't even difficult to get into, and after beating the game, I got stuck in a never-ending credits loop. Disappointing, but I'll definitely play it again later.

People are used to a brand new game coming out and it working awfully, playing awfully, and being awful, but Dead Space (2023) is not like that. Dead Space (2023) is beautiful, it plays wonderfully, I've encountered very few issues, and as an avid player of the first game, I've been pleasantly surprised over and over and over. Dead Space (2023) brushed out all the other game disappointments from my past, gently pat my hand and said, "I'll make you whole," and by God it sure did.

I think this game is good for all horror fans and this is a great introduction to Dead Space, but if you loved the first game, you will love this remake without a doubt. It takes everything good from the first game, makes it even better, and then adds new stuff that fits well with what the game is going for. The new mechanics are really interesting and the ship layout has been modified (but is still recognizable) so you can go through the ENTIRE ship on foot if you wanted to. There's more to do than the main story, and the main story itself has really pleasant changes. It makes you care about all the characters and you get to see more of what they're up to. Gone is the "Isaac errand simulator" because Isaac talks now and it feels like everyone in the story is doing their part.

The horror is HORRIFIC (in a horror way)! The psychological aspects were stronger in the 2nd game compared to the original, but the remake basically blows this out of the water-- they delve into it so well that it's what made me go, "Okay, I need to write about this now". Even if you played the original game a million times, Dead Space (2023) will find a way to scare the shit out of you.

The gameplay is pretty balanced, giving you enough on medium difficulty but not so much that you wouldn't have to strategize and pace yourself. I used all the weapons for the achievements but there are some weapons I ended up liking a lot more than in the original. The force gun from Dead Space 2 has always been my favorite weapon, and the force gun in the remake pretty much feels like that. The flamethrower has a lot more use and I would say all the weapons feel genuinely fun in their own way. The most important thing: the plasma cutter isn't nerfed! There are special upgrades that you unlock by being a little squirrel and scurrying throughout the Ishimura's nooks and crannies. The original game rewards you for going off the beaten path, while the remake actively encourages it.

Dead Space (2023) asks for Dead Space (2008)'s hand in marriage and I'm so jealous, so much respect is paid to the original and I can't emphasize enough how well done this remake is. This game's quality is to the point where like, I think everyone should play the original game first because then they can see just how much love and care was put into this remake. This is a game that didn't need to be remade, but holy shit, it is fantastic. If Silent Hill 2's remake is done with like, at least half of the enthusiasm that this game was done with, I'd be so happy, seriously.