Altman Be Praised

It's been almost four years since EA's Visceral Games became the undisputed masters of the action/horror subgenre with the release of their masterpiece Dead Space. Last year's sophomore effort Dead Space 2 ended up being just as good as (if not better) than the first game. By that logic, the recently-announced Dead Space 3 should be, to put it mildly, a game you should be looking forward to.

Dead Space and Dead Space 2 primarily took place on derelict spacecraft and decimated urban space stations. Dead Space 3 looks to expand the horizons with a unique new environment. Isaac Clarke has crash landed on the dangerous, icy world of Tau Volantis, but in a stroke of serendipity, he has reason to believe that it contains the secret to ending the Necromorph threat.

Dead Space has always emphasized isolation as a key theme, but Dead Space 3 is going to change that. An Earthgov Sergeant by the name of John Carver is also along for the ride. Their distinct personalities are inevitably going to cause some unwelcome tension, even in the face of near-certain death. However, it brings in Dead Space 3's most intriguing promise: drop-in/drop-out cooperative play.

Regarding this hotly-anticipated sequel, Visceral Games Vice President and General Manager Steve Papoutsis had this to say:

“Dead Space 3 will deliver action and horror on a scale that far exceeds anything we’ve done before. The game will range from the depths of space and tight, indoor corridors to a harsh new planet with explorable environments that offer new challenges. For fans that love playing alone in the dark, they still can have the classic Dead Space experience that makes the franchise so unique. Likewise, players that want to share that immersive and intense experience with a friend now have that option thanks to the addition of co-op. Either way, the action is intense, the adventure is breathtaking, and the thrills are unforgettable.”

Dead Space 3 will infest store shelves February 2013. For a sneak peek, check out the official E3 2012 Dead Space 3 trailer.