My Third Dead Space Review (Part 1)

Recently, I suffered a blood clot in my brain that caused me to have a couple of seizures (One at home, and one in the emergency room.) after weeks of feeling tired and depressed. I always wondered what exactly caused this depression plus feelings of being worn out and I think the oncoming seizures were indeed responsible, luckily, I've since made what appears to be a full recovery and I'm being kept under control with special pills to keep my blood from getting to thick so it less likely to happen again. So if you're wondering why it's taken me so long to write a review of one of my favorite "survival horror" games of all time: Dead Space 2 THAT'S one of the reasons right there!

WARNING!!! THIS REVIEW HAS SPOILERS!!! SO IF YOU HAVEN'T PLAYED THE GAME YET AND WOULD LIKE TO SOMEDAY BUT DON'T WANT TO KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT STOP READING NOW!!!

Dead Space 2 has quite a few more bells and whistles than Dead Space 1 did and most of them work wonderfully! for example:

Issac Clarke is back baby! And THIS time, he not only walks the walk, he talks the talk! That's right! Issac Clarke FINALLY gets a VOICE! The fact that he never spoke in the FIRST game didn't ruin the whole game for me but it was still kind unnerving what a bad conversation he was... ESPECIALLY since it was such a PAIN to read his journal unless your face was right up against the screen! Having bad eyesight can REALLY ruin your day sometimes... Fortunately for me and every other Dead Space fan out there, reading text in THIS Dead Space game usually isn't nearly as irritating!

The "weapons" have become in many ways, much better! From the improved "Pulse Rifle" (The secondary fire no longer just wastes ammo but DO NOT try using it in close quarters!) to the improved "Force Gun" (The secondary fire has also changed for the better in many ways!) to NEW weapons like the "Javelin" (If you use it right anyway... Like the new "Pulse Rifle" I DO NOT recommend using the secondary fire in close quarters!) to the "Detonator" (Once again I must advise AGAINST using this weapon in close quarters!) Issac Clarke is no deadlier than ever! And just to top it off he has new suits that do different things! from the "Riot Suit" That makes the "Pulse Rifle" more effective, to the "Vintage Suit" that makes it easier to buy things from the vending machines, to the "Advanced Suit" that makes it easier to use "Stasis" more often to slow fast enemies and objects down Issac Clarke's arsenal is the stuff of nightmares for any and all "Necromorphs" that dare to get nasty with him! And if that's not good enough for you? There are even more options for Issac in the SECOND playthrough! But I've gushed with praise enough already, on with the show!...

The story begins with a flashback to Nicole calling Issac on a communication device to tell him how friggin' awesome it is to be on board the "Ishimura" mining ship before it gets taken apart at some point in the future (Those of you who played the FIRST game know that the "Ishimura" and it's crew have WAY more to worry about than the ship being put out to pasture...) Now, MANY of you may notice that Nicole Brennen looks and sounds different from the FIRST game and "Dead Space: Extraction" because she's played by a different actress. Don't knock her! She's better looking in real life (Seriously, I've seen pictures of her on the internet and frankly, I think she's much nicer looking than in this game!) and can go from sweet to scary easily! So she can ACT too! I have nothing against the actress who played Nicole in the FIRST Dead Space game but I can live with THIS version too.

After the flashback however, it is revealed that Issac is actually being questioned by someone dressed in a Doctor's uniform about "The Marker" for some strange reason that Issac Clarke and those who haven't played this game or looked up spoilers will have to learn later on...

The Doctor interviewing Issac Clarke asks him various questions that he's not sure how to answer exactly, but as he's imagining Nicole's corpse coming toward him during the interview saying "Make... Ussss... Whole!" in one of the game's creepier scenes (Even for a DEAD SPACE game!) Issac Clarke is awoken by a man called "Franco" by someone on a communication device and it is revealed that Issac is wearing a straight jacket and is in actuality, in some kind of insane asylum! it seems the events of the FIRST Dead Space game drove him a little nuts! (This is NOT very surprising...) "Franco" appears to be trying to help Issac and it's a good thing too! Issac is not only in a straight jacket but as we can see from the "spine-lights" on his back, he's at half health! Unfortunately things get even worse when "Franco" is attacked from behind by one of the "Manta Ray" creatures from the FIRST game and is transformed into a Necromorph right then and there! (Damn! I HATE it when the black guy dies first!... Seriously, look up "Franco (Dead Space character)" on the internet!) Luckily, Issac is still a BADASS, so he headbutts the Necromorph and makes a run for it... Good thing too because he's got more than just ONE Necromorph to worry about! The WHOLE PLACE is CRAWLING with them!!! (Give Dead Space fans a BREAK developers!) But for those of you who love a challenge, this part of the game is going to be WONDERFUL! Issac must run as quickly as possible to the nearest exit and even if he gets there he STILL gets attacked by one of the Necromorphs and even if the gamer pushes the "X" button as quickly as possible Issac will STILL lose even more health until it goes from YELLOW to RED! ARGH!!! Luckily for Issac, there's no more Necromorphs around... For NOW... So this isn't that big a deal... For NOW...

Issac then encounters a couple of armed guards who should come in very handy... Or at least they WOULD if they didn't start SHOOTING at Issac! Luckily for him, the guards are fairly bad shots AND are quickly dispatched by a random Necromorph who goes on it's merry way as quickly as it showed up so Issac need worry about NONE of them anymore... Issac then hears a message over the speakers from someone named "Director Tideman" about disposing of various people who might pose a threat to the rest of the space station Issac is now residing in... it is heavily implied Issac is one of the "threats" that needs to be disposed of...

Issac now enters a room with a visual recording on a view screen of another interview involving the same Doctor who interviewed Issac during his delusion before. The Doctor is talking to some named "Nolan Stross" and after watching the interview Issac probably realizes it's clear that this Doctor has the kind of bedside manner that would make DR. HOUSE recoil in disgust! once that's done Issac enters another room where that same Doctor is quietly giggling to himself until Issac gets to close and is grabbed by the Doctor who puts a knife to his throat rambling about various things seemingly about to stop so he can stab Issac!... Luckily for Issac, he only wants to cut open Issac's straight jacket so he can FINALLY be free of it! He even shows Issac where to get a health item AND a flashlight when he notices that Issac's "RIG" is red. It appears he feels so guilty about everything he's done that he's been driven insane by it so he won't be needing that equipment anymore and so Issac is welcome to it. Sadly, he won't be getting any chance for redemption by being an ally for Issac because he then snaps and slits his own throat with the knife collapsing dead in front of Issac, Issac then proceeds to leave and is contacted by a Woman named "Diana" (It's pronounced "DANA" by the actors for some reason...) who tells him she can help. Issac, not knowing if he can afford to assume she can't be trusted plays along... For NOW...

Isaac then proceeds through the darkened rooms where the mini-map and the flashlight start to come in VERY handy... he then has a little delusion that Nicole is calling to him but it soon passes... Issac goes into a vent and sees what appears to be a NECROMORPH in there with him! But luckily for Issac, it's either not really there or REALLY hates attacking people in air vents so it leaves him alone... For NOW...

Issac then falls through a grating or something and lands in a room where "Dana" contacts him again and they have a little argument because Issac doesn't understand what she has to gain by helping him. "Dana" pretty much explains that it doesn't really matter WHY she's helping him because he needs all the allies he can get right now, Issac still doesn't like it but she points out he doesn't HAVE to like it and Issac reluctantly agrees and then uses his engineering skills to activate a device that allows him to use a kinetic ability to pick up objects without touching them, he's going to NEED it too! As there are Necromorphs in the room and not only is Issac without anything he can use like a ranged weapon but to top it off, he hasn't been practicing his Karate either! Issac picks up sharp objects with the kinetic device he now has and uses it to spear the Necromorphs in his way then proceeds further on...

Issac then encounters Man who is having some sort of operation involving a "Plasma Cutter". (Those of you who have played the first Dead Space game will know where this is going...) Sadly, as Issac is trying to get the "Plasma Cutter" to defend himself AND the Man on the operating table, a couple of Necromorphs enter the room and attack the Man while he's helpless! (Although, to his credit he puts up a decent fight all things considered AND distracts the Necromorphs while Issac gets the "Plasma Cutter" so I'll always be grateful to him!...) After Issac avenges the Man and defends himself he goes into another room where "Dana" contacts him to tell him the Necromorphs are easier to defeat if you shoot their limbs instead of just their heads, Issac points out he's had a lot of practice so he knows this already. (And if you've played the FIRST Dead Space game, you know he ain't whistin' DIXIE brother!) Issac then goes into another part of the Asylum that seems "DEATHLY" quiet until a rather loud "jump-scare" appears! Luckily for Issac, it doesn't harm him... UN-luckily for Issac, some Necromorphs show up to do just that! But Issac has his mighty "Plasma Cutter" so makes short work of them.

Issac then overhears a couple of guards freaking out because one of them keeps forgetting to "shoot the limbs". This is actually quite disturbing when you realize this could mean that these guards have been trained to use lethal force ONLY...

Issac then sees Nolan Stross running from something and follows him only to lose him when he ends up trapped behind some sort of emergency door the Stross managed to get through causing the to be separated. Issac gets grouchy and calls "Dana" to tell her that the route she gave him didn't work and she seems confused as to how he missed it, Issac then gets huffy with her and claims he doesn't need her help. "Dana" then demands to see how he does WITHOUT her help right about the time some Necromorphs show up looking for trouble! Issac shows them that they've FOUND it... Once he's dealt with them he calls "Dana" back admitting that he's better off WITH her help than without it and "Dana" tells him that just because they don't have to be friends doesn't mean they have to be enemies. She then explains that Issac is on "Titan Station" and that Director Tideman is the one he should be angry at since Tideman is the one trying to kill him and "Dana" is NOT. Issac then proceeds further on...

Issac then encounters a device to give him "Stasis" power! And he's gonna NEED it because in charges a Necromorph strong enough to kill him instantly! Luckily, even THIS over powered Necromorph falls easily before the might of the "Stasis" device AND "Plasma Cutter"! So now Issac is free to continue on his journey only to encounter ANOTHER new type of Necromorph called "The PUKER"! (At least I THINK that's it's name anyway...) This obnoxious Necromorph will try to hit Issac if it's close enough to him doing a fair amount of damage but not so much if it tries vomiting some sort of steaming, sticky stuff at a distance. However, it makes up for this because that same sticky stuff makes Issac temporarily move slower and if he's in a hurry for whatever reason it could mean serious trouble! Issac still manages to dispatch them of course, then heads into an elevator only to see a delusion of Nicole slowly walking toward him and ends with her hissing "MAKE US WHOLE!!!" at him then disappears...

Issac then goes into a room that seems to have SERIOUS decompression issues and must use the "Plasma Cutter" to shoot the part of it that closes the door leading out into the cold airlessness of outer space. That done, Issac now goes into a room with a single Necromorph but once that's dealt with Issac now finds more supplies, a save point and best of all, a VENDING MACHINE!!! Now Issac can use any money he's found to buy a new suit! It's his old buddy from the FIRST Dead Space game the ENGINEERING SUIT! With this, Issac can upgrade his hit points, durability, and inventory space! Once this is done Issac is free to move on...

Issac then enters a damaged room that is so badly damaged there's a HOLE in it! Luckily, this is no problem for Issac since he won't have to be there long and his Engineering Suit can protect him from the cold AND airlessness! however he can also grab a POWER NODE that's floating outside with his Kinetic Device before moving on.

Issac now enters a room where he is attacked by a very strange Necromorph that may have skinny limbs but still hit HARD! Plus, it's limbs are slim! So shooting it in the limbs is NO easy task, but since there's a device on the wall nearby that recharges Issac's "Stasis" device wellll...

After dealing with the raging Necromorph Issac has a little chat with "Dana" about what exactly has been going on while he's been in suspended animation. "Dana" explains that three years ago Issac was found by Tideman and brought in for study being put in "Stasis" until they needed him to be brought out again to learn more about his knowledge of "The Marker" in order to build their own. "Dana" also claims that the longer Issac is awake the stronger the "Marker signal" he creates will be active and THAT is why the Necromorphs are here but she adds that Issac's dementia will actually KILL him unless he goes to her for help, with no other obvious options and no proof that "Dana" is lying, Issac heads for wherever "Dana" is now to get the help she says she can give him...

Issac then crawls through a vent to reach a vending machine AND a workbench that will allow him to upgrade his weapons, suit, AND Stasis device!

There are also new items for Issac in the vending machine if the gamer wants them, but be warned: They might be a trifle expensive for now so if you want them you might have to WAIT for them and remember to keep one of you power nodes to open locked doors!those upgrades aren't THAT important!

Issac then goes into the next room where a message from Tideman is being played to help people who are having to deal with this crisis implying that for all his faults, at least Tideman seems to take his job VERY seriously! As he wipes out more Necromorphs, Issac sees various people being attacked by them as well... But sadly, unlike our hero? THEY aren't doing nearly as well... Issac even encounters someone trying to get onto the elevator he's now in only to be attacked and killed by a Necromorph before Issac can even CONSIDER helping him...

Issac then reaches another area where he sees Nolan Stross trying to tell him something, Stross contacts him on the communications device attached to Issac's "Rig" in order to tell him about the sessions he and Stross had called the "steps" but before he can go further Stross warns Issac about a Necromorph that's about to attack and disappears after Issac deals with it. Issac then enters a room with a woman screaming about how she won't leave her Mother behind when evacuating only to have her Husband drag her off and Issac is in no position to help them resolve this marital dispute because one of the Necromorphs bursts out of a door and attacks him as the Husband and Wife run for it. Issac shoots the Necromorph then explores the apartment the couple left to see if there are any items to scavenge and finds a "Puker" crawling around in there that could have at one point been the Woman's Mother! Issac deals with the Necromorph accordingly then leaves only to encounter another Necromorph running at him who could be the same Woman he saw earlier! Issac deals with this Necromorph too but I wonder what happened to the person who was dragging her away? Did he make a run for it before she was transformed? Was HE transformed FIRST? Did she kill him and THEN he was transformed? So many questions, so few answers... But still, THIS is why I love Dead Space games folks! It's these little touches are what make Dead Space games so disturbing, yet so interesting!

Issac then ends up in a room that goes dark and some Necromorphs show up to take advantage of Issac while it's hard for him to see. It's ends badly... For THEM! (I recommend the "Plasma Cutter" for this part! Any other weapons will likely go through ammo too quickly then reload too slowly and you do NOT want to be busy reloading while being attacked!)

Issac then bumps into a door where the person inside is yelling that he won't let anybody in because he's fearful somebody might kill him if he opens the door... Considering how trigger-happy some of the guards are, I can't blame him...

Issac then heads into an elevator going down. On the way, he contacts "Dana" to ask why Tideman wants him out of the way so badly, "Dana" explains that The Marker is powerful alien technology and Tideman is afraid Issac will rob him of it should he live long enough to destroy it. She then says to keep moving towards her routes so Issac continues to do just that...

And now one of the saddest implications in the whole game... Issac hears a baby crying behind a locked door but he can't get in so there's nothing he can do to help the baby... The crying the stops... Issac then sees a Woman crawling on her belly behind a locked gate who is apparently so badly injured that she's dying... And it is heavily implied that she might be the baby's MOTHER but even if she COLD get past the gate she is in no position to do so and the baby might already be dead ANYWAY, and there's absolutely nothing Issac can do about it...

After a Necromorph burst through a door to attack Issac he deals with it and goes into a room where Issac sees a ship crash but doesn't know exactly what caused it he just reacts with shock and alarm then proceeds to take on some Necromorphs including the "Scorpion-Like" ones and the "Bomb-Arms". Afterwards he has another delusion of Niocole claiming that she's "So cold it's getting dark..." Issac then sees Nicole sitting there then she disappears and a train goes by that looks like it on FIRE!!! Issac is then attacked by various Necromorphs including the "Manta Ray" like Necromorphs  who go around transforming the dead bodies in the train station into Necromorphs! Issac deals with them and uses his Engineering skills to makes the train in there to move but there are other Necromorphs there to make the ride go less than smoothly until Issac has to do his "Iron Man" impression when the train begins to crash and then Issac ends up falling through and winds up UPSIDE-DOWN This part of the game always bugs me because Issac has to basically fight oncoming Necromorphs while being unable to move and even when you get rid of the a GIANT Necromorph shows up to attack Issac! Luckily for Issac, he can deal with that UN-luckily for Issac, he escapes only to see what's left of the train crash and explode with him barely managing to escape, but at least now, he's safe... For NOW...

"Dana" then talks to Issac over the communicator to tell Issac where he should go next and mention that "You're very important to them Issac." But while that may sound sinister, I'm sure it's just me being silly...

Issac then sees a shadow on the wall that looks almost like a child with long claws but runs away before he can learn more... He then deals with a Necromorph close by and goes into another section of Titan Station that has a vending machine but encounters Necromorphs called "The Pack" before he can enjoy it! The Pack are soon dealt with and Issac is contacted by Nolan Stross who fears that his call will have to short because Tideman's guards might be tracing the call. He explains that "they" were afraid of Issac and Stross after their session because of "steps" Stross ends the transmission soon after revealing he isn't having a good time remembering...

Issac proceeds further on and Issac contacts "Dana" to tell her about Stross, She claims Stross is a nutcase who "killed his own wife and child"...

Issac then hears an emergency message being broadcast where Director Tideman claims that the station is now under MARSHALL LAW, then Issac uses his engineering skills to activate an elevator that leads to some sort of "Unitologist" recruitment center and contacts "Dana" to ask about it but she tells him not to worry about it...

Issac proceeds through the recruitment center killing various Necromorphs until he sees a recorded message from someone claiming that if you pull sharp objects off of dead Necromorphs with you kinetic device you can at least injure them, sadly, he had to leave this message because he was too badly injured to tell anyone this in person..

Issac operates some kind of machine that lets him float to his next destination and after dealing with some more Necromorphs he floats into a room where he pushes a button to open a door he can float through but if you're playing this game for the first time remember to check EVERY room JUST IN CASE! Issac then goes through a room that has an unlockable door (IF Issac has a power node that is!) and then goes into a place that just SCREAMS "Unitologists are NUTS"! After dealing with any Necromorphs in there Issac sees a delusion of Nicole who reminds Issac of how Nicole died but Issac claims he ain't buyin' it! Issac then goes further only to see a gunship piloted by Tideman's guards that is tracking him! Luckily for Issac, the gunship is no threat to him right now, so he just goes on his way...

Issac then enters a room full of Unitologist propaganda that your free to listen to by pushing the buttons on the devices on the left and right of the room, but further on Issac is shot at by the gunship from earlier and needs to enter the Unitologist church in order to escape it. Dana then tells Issac that this is the only place he'll be safe a her "brother" (The man called "Franco" who, earlier on tried to help Issac.) died trying to help him so he should be more trusting toward her and Issac, now possibly riddled with guilt, heads to the left in order to get to a save point, vending machine AND a workbench! It gets even better if Issac can purchase a new suit called the "Riot Suit" which improves his ability to use the "Pulse Rifle"!

Issac then heads upstairs to pick up a few things, encounter another Necromorph dressed as a Unitologist and get a call from Nolan Stross, who tries to tell him something but gets distracted by a random nosebleed then walks away before Issac can convince him not too...

Issac then proceeds upstairs to take out some more Necromorphs and open some doors.

Along the way, Issac enters a room for "Indoctranation"... (Shades of MASS EFFECT!) And then proceeds to kill some Necromorphs then activate a part of the room where he enters another room to collect schematics for the "Riot Suit" among other things...

Issac then proceeds to climb through a vent to go into a room that will help him open doors to MORE rooms. But first, he is attacked by what appears to be Nicole wielding some kind of needle she attempts to use as a weapon to stab him in the eye! Luckily for Issac, if the gamer is ready for this and pushes the "X" button fast and often enough, Issac realizes it's just one of his delusions and moves on unharmed...

Issac then proceeds to break open a locked door from the other side and goes through it to enter a chamber that looks like a harmless place of worship for the Unitologists... Until he tries to enter a room and something causes the door to be rendered useless! Issac contacts "Dana" to tell her he needs another way to go on but even as she says she'll try to do just that Issac hears a strange noise and is soon attacked by the Necromorphs making it! A rather speedy breed of Necromorphs that quickly run at Issac to headbutt him until he becomes to weak to stop them from tearing him apart! Issac can still kill them fairly easily by either using his "Stasis" on them so he can shoot them as much as possible OR using his Kinetic device to pick up sharp objects and shoot them with said objects impaling them.

Issac then contacts "Dana" to talk to her about what to do next but before she can tell him she says something about Tideman actually managing to find her and gets cut-off.

Issac then breaks into another door and enters a room that looks like some kind of FUNERAL only to be attacked by more Necromorphs, after wiping them out Issac enters an elevator in order to get inside some sort of "Cryo-box room". After fighting of some more Necromorphs AND a frightening delusion (Those pesky "Boo-Scares"! just don't give up!) Issac enters a room Issac contacts "Dana" to tell her he can't go any further until he can unlock the "Gravity Controls" but she can't answer him because the signal is being jammed somehow.

Issac goes downstairs where "Dana" frantically attempts to call him despite being prevented from doing so in order to tell him he needs "to go UP!" Issac uses his Kinetic device and "Stasis" to activate the "Gravity Controls" and heads "UP", however, if he manages to pick up the schematics needed on his way, he can also get the "RIPPER"! an okay weapon Dead Space 1, but a VERY okay one in Dead Space 2! After using his "Stasis" to make his way safely into a room with a vending machine AND a workbench!
after using his Kinetic device to move some heavy objects out of the way Issac sees a vent and crawls through it only to fall through a hole and land in a dark room with some supplies and then walks opens a door to enter ANOTHER dark room with supplies only THIS time it has schematics for "Line Racks" used to reload the "Line Gun" so now, if your desperate for "Line Racks" and you have enough money to buy them at a nearby vending machine you can!

Issac then enters a room with not so many supplies but a few NECROMORPHS to make up for it! Issac deals with them post-haste, and enters a room that seems almost divine!... Sadly, his moment of awe is ruined when he is attacked by a Necromorph that attempts to stab him with what what appears to be it's TONGUE! If Issac can shoot it often enough, it will let him go ad run away, but then "The Pack" will arrive! Once Issac deals with them and every other Noecromorph in the room, he goes through another room with a legless but still dangerous Necromorph and after dealing with it Issac enters a chamber where he has a delusion that "Nicole" is reminding him about him trying to kill himself and that even HE might not know for certain why that is...

Issac then enters an elevator and contacts "Dana" to let her know that he's on his way and she assures him that he's "Almost here" in a short conversation that has an interesting tone implying that Issac and "Dana" are starting to tolerate if not outright LIKE each other... But soon afterwards, Issac is attacked while inside the elevator by a Necromorph crashing through the ceiling but he can dispatch it easily enough. Issac then heads through a room that has supplies and a SAVE POINT! After using it and collecting any supplies he can, Issac goes to "Dana's" location where he sees her standing with her back turned to him for some reason... Sadly, that reason is soon revealed when Issac is grabbed by 2 Unitologist goons... One would think the reason she had her back turned to Issac was because she couldn't bare to face him when he realized she was a Unitologist... But apparently, that might not be the case considering she then goes into "Smug Snake" mode after Issac asks (If only out of sheer curiosity!) why he trusted her and she reminds him he didn't have a choice because she told him there was a cure for his dementia and he came running... "Dana" also mentions that the reason both Earthgov and the Unitologists want him is because he might destroy "The Marker"... After all... HE BUILT IT! Issac is understandably confused and DEMANDS they give him the cure and let him go if only out of sheer pity... But unfortunately for HIM, the Unitologists aren't interested in that...They are FAR more interested in making Issac build more "Markers" for them! Issac has already seen what "Markers" are capable of and wants no part of it. But "Dana" and her henchmen won't budge and "Dana" tells them to put Issac in "Stasis" so they can get him out of here more quickly but before anyone can do or say anything else, Tideman's troops have popped up with a GUNSHIP then begin firing away, killing "Dana" and one of the henchmen as Issac deals with the remaining one personally. Issac then proceeds to make his escape before he's next on the Gunship's hit-list (KEEP PUSHING THAT "X" BUTTON!) and ends up fighting a giant Necromorph! Issac shoots it arm off and using his "Stasis" and Kinetic device manages to be put between the giant Necromorph and the Gunship only to be sent out into SPACE! Issac then has to use the Gunship's fuel canisters to destroy both the giant Necromorph AND the Gunship both at the same time and once he does this, he ends up being blown through a window into another area of Titan Station while the hole he made is automatically sealed up.

Issac then gets another message from Stross but by now Issac thinks things are only going to get worse because all his plans "Blew out the window" (Literally!) so he has no idea what to do now. However, Stross says there's still a way to destroy "The Marker" and he even says the location is in the "Government Sector" but someone or something cuts him off before he can say much more so Issac must go through gathering items on his own again by exploring the creepy, abandoned apartments until Stross contacts Issac again, this time informing him of the fact that the people responsible for his and Issac's torture were afraid of them after their sessions so to make them less of a threat they took them to "The Machine" or "The Steps" but Issac doesn't remember any "Sessions" Stross then tells him that he's lucky he doesn't remember because when you do, "HE" starts coming back Issac asks who it is that comes back but before he can answer Stross sees an illusion of somebody and walks away before Issac can convince him the person isn't really there so Issac is once again, on his own...

Issac goes into an elevator to go downstairs and finds a corpse playing a message of Director Tideman That shows him saying that all his surviving troops needs to fall back...

Issac then finds a Save Point and takes on some more Necromorphs that stand his way, after dealing with them he finds a Vending Machine and proceeds to the next room...

In this room are some sort of "Organic Proximity Mines" that Issac must see and destroy them or risk being damaged when they go off too close to him. Luckily for Issac, they CAN be used as weapons against Necromorphs under certain circumstances. UNLUCKILY for Issac, it is sometimes hard to notice them before it's too late when they're in a dark room... And THIS room is indeed DARK! Once Issac move carefully through the room he sees a locked door that can be opened with a Power Node and a Workbench. After dealing with them both accordingly he heads into the next room...

Issac must now remove batteries to some oxygen machines in order to put out a fire that prevents him from moving further on. Once this is done, he goes further to encounter two Necromorphs that attack him while he tries to enter another room, Issac must deal with them quickly to avoid being forced to risk running out of oxygen. Once this has been done Issac goes further to discover an elevator that won't work because it's battery is broken. Issac can use one of the batteries he removed from the oxygen machines earlier on to replace it.

NOTE: Before leaving Issac can find a Text Log telling how a woman had to do something in order to defend herself that NO parent should EVER have to do...

Issac then activated the elevator only to discover a "Puker" Necromorph inside! After dealing with it, he heads downstairs.

On the way Issac is contacted by Stross who rambles about "The Steps" and is clearly seeing illusions and then leaves.

Issac is now in some sort of supply room with items and a Save Point. There is a locked door but Issac can easily open by hitting the lock on the side of it and making it open that way. He then enters another room...

In this room, Issac once again encounters the "Velciraptor" Necromorphs but now they're in an environment they can use against him more easily! Issac can still deal with them rather well by using a device called "The Detonator" to plant Proximity Mines in certain places where the Necromorphs will run into them and damage THEMSELVES rather than damage Issac! Issac then uses his Engineering skills to open a locked door after taking all the items from the room and moves on...

Later on, Issac gets another message from Stross where he mentions something about a "Dark Machine" but starts to panic about something else and leaves again...

And now we get to one of my favorite parts in the game! Issac hears a female voice talking about killing Necromorphs and soon sees a woman shooting them behind a cage with a Plasma Cutter!

Issac Clarke: "My kind of gal!"

But sadly, after picking up some more items and dealing with one of the Necromorphs himself, Issac actually gets SHOT AT by the mysterious lady who sends a message to him that implies she's become a bit paranoid since the outbreak! She explains how things went from bad to worse but still allows Issac to go further without attacking him anymore. However, she doesn't go with him because she seems to think other people are "Just a liability" then leaves. Issac then picks up any remaining items in the room and follows her in the elevator.

TO BE CONTINUED...

NOTE: I'm afraid this review has gone on long enough so I'll be splitting it up into 2 parts. Be sure to check out part 2 and I'll try to get it done as soon as I can!