Dead Space 3 is the nervously anticipated third survival horror instalment in the Dead Space series, developed by Visceral Games and is the sequel to 2011's Dead Space 2. This instalment takes an innovative new direction in the series, exploring features and gameplay that has never before been seen within the previous two games, completely reinventing Dead Space yet staying true to the signature tense horror themes of the games.

Step once again into the shoes of the series' main protagonist Isaac Clarke, as you find him in peril once more, though not as you've grown accustomed to. His ship has crash landed on a hostile frozen wasteland of a planet called Tau Volantis that is thought to be the home land of the Markers, leaving him and his crew either dead, lost or stranded in the freezing environment. Clarke and his crew had set out to Tau Volantis in the hope of finding the true source of the Necromorph plague, and in the hope that the planet contained the secret to stopping the infestation. As far as Clarke is aware, only he and Sergeant John Carver have survived the crash; Ellie Langford, whom he met in the previous game, is nowhere to be found. Clarke and Carver must now traverse through this harrowing expedition across space, in their attempts to track down the source of the Necromorph plague and discover its secrets, with Clarke's mind fixated on finding Ellie.

The game can be played either as single player controlling Isaac Clarke, or as drop-in drop-out multiplayer co-op, playing in a team of two as both Clarke and John Carver. The single player plays out as everything you would expect from a Dead Space game; tense, claustrophobic, and full of fear, possessing the ability to keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish with its spine tingling shadowy secrets, shock tactics and terrifying monsters.

The drop-in drop-out co-op is a brand spanking new feature in the Dead Space series, and has you team up with a partner to play as either Isaac Clarke or John Carver so you can take stock in strength in numbers, and take on the deformed creatures and your enemies together. Playing in co-op practically completely changes how the storyline unfolds, as additional story elements come to light, new gameplay mechanics and battle strategies are introduced, as well as finding different paths and directions to take that would not exist when playing in single player mode.

When it comes to combat, some new features have been introduced to make combat more manageable, organic, and interesting. Ammunition is now universal, meaning reloading any of your weapons is as easy as can be, should you be able to find it. Crafting now exists within the world of Dead Space, allowing you to combine two weapons and make other creations, giving you a deadly edge against the enemy; for example, fusing together a Plasma Cutter and a Force Gun, and so much more. Alongside creating deadlier weaponry, Clarke and Carver also possess new defensive combat mechanics; an evasive roll manoeuvre, and the ability to take cover to avoid attacks. Both men have the same skill set, but can branch out and have these skills tailored to however the player wishes.

Exploration takes on a new level of importance in Dead Space 3, both on the surface of the frozen planet Tau Volantis, and in space. Whilst Tau Volantis presents an incredibly harsh environment filled with brutal enemies, space is an unknown open world for Clarke and Carver to explore and discover. There are key locations to investigate that play an important part in the story, and that also present missions. Exploration is also important when it comes to finding resources, which are hidden all over the world in secret areas, or when a slaughtered enemy drops them, and you can expect many an enemy to blast to pieces in good ol' Dead Space style. (Cat Emerson)