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Dead Space: Extraction

• By Tae Kim
• September 29, 2009 15:55 PM PST
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Wii gamers finally get their chance to scream in space with a prequel to the original Dead Space that plays unlike any other light-gun game ever created. With fantastic production values and well-told story, Extraction is a great showcase of the Wii's unique abilities.

THE VERDICT by Will Herring I haven't seen too many games shake Tae up to the degree that Extraction has. On one hand, he gets much more work done now that he's staying up 24/7. On the downside, his girlish screaming is getting on my nerves...

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Most people will tell you that the faster a roller coaster goes, the better it is but for me, the true thrill lies in the slow build up as the car crests the initial hill. It's a concept that Visceral Games takes to heart: Extraction is, on the surface, a light-gun game but it doesn't rely on genre tropes like unlimited ammo, blitzkrieg enemies and insane action. It's far more methodical and thoughtful in its approach and it expertly uses lulls in the action to build up a sense of impending dread that makes the actual action much more meaningful. The end result is an experience that's more captivating and engaging than any light-gun game I've ever played before.

Pumping enemies full of lead just doesn't work, so target individual limbs. Shoot off legs to slow down enemies then go for the arms and head.

Quiet Before The Storm

In fact, I wouldn't even call Extraction a light-gun game; I'd throw away the "on-rails shooter" tag as well. Sure, you use the Wii Remote to point-and-shoot at enemies from a first-person perspective and you have no control over the camera (except during specific moments), but Extraction takes the light-gun formula and zags when everyone else would have zigged.

For one, the storytelling is really strong, unlike in 95% of other light-gun titles where the plot is just a flimsy excuse to shoot at things. It mirror's Dead Space's thoughtful dialogue, characterizations and pacing which is a good thing all around. It's a prequel to the original-if you haven't played it, you're missing out-and does a terrific job of showing you the events that lead to the disaster aboard the USG Ishimura. It also delves nicely into Unitology and the Concordance Extraction Corporation, as well as the Marker, a relic whose discovery kicks off the Necromorph infestation. Oh, and you can unlock six issues of a Dead Space "comic" that's done in an awesome animatic style; it's a neat extra that I really enjoyed.

Twisting the Remote to the side activates an alt-fire mode, which essentially doubles your armory.

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