EA brings Dead Space to iPhone and iPod Touch and it’s good. It’s really good…
UPDATE: January 20th, 2011, we interviewed the Lead Designer for Dead Space. Check out the write-up and audio here.
UPDATE: January 19th, 2011, EA have released in game video footage of the game in action (view below).
I got to play the new Dead Space game weeks ago, and have been fighting to keep my mouth shut about it until now due to a media embargo. I mentioned on our podcast that Dead Space was the most excited I’ve been about an iPhone game for a long time, and I still mean it. I only recently played through Dead Space on the Xbox 360, as I’m not a big fan of survival horror games. I’m really glad I did, as it’s one of the best games on the console in my opinion.
The great thing about Dead Space for the iPhone is that it is exactly that: Dead Space. It’s not a (disappointing) animated comic, a mini-game collection, a top-down shooter, or any of the other rubbish game variants that major titles tend to see in their mobile ports. It looks and plays exactly like Dead Space looks and plays on the console versions. There’s honestly not much more to say than that. The touch controls were very responsive, with the ability to do a quick 180 degree turn, or change how fast you’re walking/running based on how high you slide your left thumb on the screen.
Just like the original, there is no HUD other than the change-weapon button at the top right of the screen. One thing I found especially brilliant is the ability to use your kinesis module by tapping the kinesis meter on your back. You can also lift, move, and throw objects by simply tapping the ones that have the appropriate symbol. You swipe to aim and fire your weapon, which seemed to work well enough, but I didn’t quite get a handle on it when I played the game. You have to tap to go into an aiming mode, and for some reason, sometimes I would then tap to shoot and nothing would happen; or I would accidentally reload. I have a feeling this was due to my inexperience with the game more than anything else.
From what I was told, the story will take place somewhere between the original Dead Space and the upcoming sequel. According to the press material, ‘You’ll find yourself on a mission of uncertain purpose in the Mines of Titan. Soon, however, the truth of your situation will become grotesquely clear…” Sounds good to me! There’s no final release date at the moment, but the game was slated to launch some time in January last I heard. Also no confirmation of price. As soon as we can post our video, or any other media of the game, we’ll do so. It’s much more impressive in motion than in words!
If you have any questions, post them here and I will answer! 
UPDATE: January 19th, 2011, EA have released in game video footage of the game in action:
UPDATE: January 4th, 2011 we received two new screenshots:
