First it was books, then it was film, and now it is video games which have become the stage in which science-fiction can be showcased in all its glory. Want proof, think about the mythologies and worlds crafted in the likes of Gears of War, Mass Effect, Metroid, Killzone, Command & Conquer, System Shock, Starcraft, Doom, Quake, Half-Life, Dues Ex, Fallout, Bioshock, Master of Orion, Red Faction and Elite – and that is just the tip of the iceberg. It’s an impressive list that houses some of the most iconic and influential game experiences of all time, not mention some of the finest sci-fi ever.
So who from the class of 2008 can make the cut?
We just went hands-on with a bunch of new levels from upcoming and scorching hot sci-fi horror game Dead Space, and had a chat to Glen Schofield - the head of the EA studio working on the game - about the birth, launch and future of this amazing new space opera. We were extremely impressed: this is no flash in the pan cheap horror actioner staring Ice Cube or Lance Henriksen. It is a true sci-fier, that invites you into a mythology spanning some 1,000 years and then rams its climax into your face for 20 hours of edge-of-your-seat gameplay. We think it could be the next big Sci-fi saga, and here are ten reasons why…
Kick ass story:
There is more to a good science fiction story than three acts, a character arc and some tosser scoring a pash as the sun sets. The reader, viewer or player needs to believe that the fanciful events that they are experiencing could actually happen. That a large mining ship could one day be orbiting a far distant planet and that an alien entity known as The Corruption could invade it, transforming the human crew into twisted horrors thirsty to cleave you in twain.
Dead Space offers this. Glen spoke in detail about how deep the narrative’s backstory runs, going back thousands of years, to the origins of a religion which finds vindication in the consumption of the USG Ishimura by this horrific alien force. Those of you who have been following the pre-release comics will already have heads-up on how huge the Dead Space universe is. Dead Space will be bigger than one game… unless it tanks… which it won’t.
