Fresh Peek at Dead Space for iPhone

Very soon, your iPhone and iPad will run red with blood. Timed to closely coincide with the console release of Dead Space 2, Electronic Arts is releasing an iOS-exclusive chapter in the acclaimed sci-fi horror franchise. Called just Dead Space, this iOS game details a series of truly unfortunate events that lead up to the beginning of Dead Space 2. Now, there are no spoilers. It's a completely contained experience, so if you only buy Dead Space 2, you aren't missing out on any story.

But you may be denying yourself the first excellent iPhone/iPad game of 2011.

I know, I know, This isn't a review. But I've spent some time with the final version of Dead Space for iPhone. EA would have to take a zillion steps backward to somehow magically ruin it before it drops into the App Store.

This is truly a Dead Space experience. There are no sacrifices here as you often see with console games coming to mobile devices. The blood and gore that Dead Space is known for (which, mind you, has always served the story and never been used as a cheap thrill) is definitely here. In fact, I'm a little surprised by the bodily violence Dead Space's denizens visit upon each other. It's not out of character for Dead Space, but this is easily the most bloody iPhone game I've ever played. But because the gore works in tandem with the action – and the scares – it's not offensive.

Another grave concern folks have with the console-to-mobile experience is how will the controls work? Dead Space uses virtual controls – to a degree. There are no defined sticks and buttons on the screen, which work to not only de-clutter the HUD, but also maintain the less-is-more HUD design of the first Dead Space. (Health is on Vandal's back, for example, not a floating meter.)

Dead Space splits the screen in two. The left side moves Vandal – the lead in the iOS game – while the right side aims and fires. When you need to tune the angle of your weapons, such as a plasma gun, tilting the screen adjusts the type of shot. Fans of Dead Space know how important angled shots are. How else can you perfectly carve off necromorph body parts one by one? For the most part, I had few troubles with the iPhone controls. (However, the iPad Dead Space with its greater real estate should further clear up any concerns over obscuring the action.)


I recently spoke to EA about a few outstanding questions in regard to the iOS version. Apparently, the way In-App Purchases have been explained is incorrect. The new system, as described to me, clears up my initial hesitations. You cannot buy weapons with In-App Purchases. You must actually find those. What you can buy, though, are power nodes to upgrade weapons. However, you may only buy so many power nodes total before you're cut off and left to just find those that exist in Dead Space's 12 stages. This seems much more balanced and no longer sounds like a cash grab.

Dead Space on iOS does have a degree of connectivity with the console games, too. If you register Dead Space on an iDevice with your EA account, you will unlock a special goodie in the console Dead Space 2. EA would not divulge the secret just yet, but that's definitely a cool feature for fans.

However, I do confess some disappointment with the lack of Game Center. Dead Space has its own internal achievement system with rewards, but with the unified achievements of Game Center such low-hanging fruit (I know total Game Center addicts), it seems like a miss. At least earning EA's achievements unlocks wallpapers for your iDevice.

Dead Space for iPhone and iPad should be out very soon. It will work on all devices, although you should expect a visual hit on the original iPhone 3G. Expect a full review on IGN Wireless as soon as Dead Space scares up a spot in the App Store.

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