Dead Space: Downfall Review (The Prequel to Dead Space)

I reckon I've turned into a bit of a Dead Space fanboy. I played the game from start to finish twice non-stop, got 98% of the achievements, bought the said anime DVD and even decided to get the mini-comic on offer too. In other words, ask me anything about Dead Space and I'll give you a quick answer including the words, 'meh', 'gore', 'religion' and 'no'.

Dead Space: Downfall is the straight to DVD Japanses anime prequel to the game, which in the advertisment trailer describes as, 'provides crucial backstory to the game'. I however take this statement with a pinch of salt as the only major question is answered in the first twenty minutes, mainly being how the aliens got on board the spaceship in the first place. Everything else just features blood, death and even a naked man's laughably small cock in the shower scene, and I ain't kidding. Storywise it's just a feature length way of telling you how nearly everyone dies on board the ship before Issac and his co-workers step in to start the game's story off.

Ironically, DS:Downfall actually creates more questions than it answers. Why do all the characters in the film use lightsabre chainsaws for weapons, which all seem to go missing during the game? Why does the food growing floor and mess hall in the film look nothing like the food growing floor and mess hall in the game? Why aren't there any film characters featured on the ship in the form of corpses or survivors in the game? How is it a heavily armed security team struggles to take out a small horde of aliens, but later on an engineer can take on all of them with a handheld laser handgun? Everything really runs down to the fact the film has been obviously rushed in order to coincide with Dead Space's release date and Halloween, occasionaly forgetting how the game does what.

It's rushed schedule has obviously also plagued the animation quality of the characters. Even though the characters have a funny sense of realism to them, (except a blue haired girl and a huge black dude who would put Cole out of Gears of War to shame) the quality dips round action scenes involving complicated movement like jumping, leaping, back-flipping and walking. I'm going to go out on a limb and say an episode of Pokemon runs more smoothly than some DS:Downfall scenes.

However, DS:Downfall definately stands out when it comes to the horror/gore factor. You get to see about twice as much gore in the anime than you do in the game within a ninety minute time slot. Heads chopped off, people ripped to death, arms sliced off, and probaly the most gory thing I'll ever see. So gory you see spine, guts, lungs and brain split in two by chainsaw through the body. It's horrid to watch, but you can't help but laugh in despair for the poor character. I showed the scene to some friends today in lesson, and really the message of the day was, 'who got owned?'

All in all, watching this won't give you nightmares, or anything for that fact. It just proves that EA can think of other ways of getting your money without resorting to annual sequels. If you've been drawn in by playing Dead Space, this might be worth a watch. It'll keep you entertained for ninety minutes whenever you are bored, but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who hasn't a clue what Dead Space is. Actually don't buy it at all. Aparrently it's going to be aired on a US TV channel so save yourself twenty five dollars over there and watch it free.

+ Gorey as hell                                                  - Poor animation in some parts 

+ Some embarrasingly cheesey lines         - Some embarrasingly cheesey lines

+ Intrigues the fanboy within                          - Not worth buying if haven't played Dead Space

TOMFOOLERY SAYS: DON'T BOTHER UNLESS YOU ARE A FAN OF DEAD SPACE

Comments

Lord Bling 360plex Score: 14830 Join Date: May 2007 Dallas, Texas Member #: 4 Total Posts: 934

Blog Response: Dead Space: Downfall Review (The Prequel to Dead Space) Posted: 2 months ago I thought about renting this, but A) I haven't played the game yet, and B) I haven't played the game yet.  But if it's gonna be on TV here in the States, I'll have to record it.  Thanks for the review! Click here to see the blog --------------------------------- 'I wanna get my knees dirty.' -- Gunnz, Netcast 37

hoZt 360plex Score: 41831 Join Date: May 2007 Ashland, Oregon Member #: 1 Total Posts: 1058

Posted: 2 months ago I do not know how the show would compare to the game, but I found the game very enjoyable to play.  The graphics and sound were very high quality and the gameplay kept me engaged.  I liked how the health and oxygen sensors were a part of the suit.  The movement and integration of the heads up display was also a very good touch. Keep in mind that some games have to have their violence lessened so the title would get approved in all markets.  Developers have learned from titles like Manhunt II that got banned in some regions. It is definitely worth a rental.  I will try to record the show if it comes on here in the states. --------------------------------- Do you Twitter? Follow hoZt