Dead Space 3: Awakened Review for PC

System: PC, PS3*, Xbox 360
Dev: Visceral Games
Pub: Electronic Arts
Release: March 12, 2013
Players: 1-2
Screen Resolution: 480p-1080p	Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language

The one element still missing, however, is the survival horror of the first Dead Space, the scrounging of resources and making every strategic gunshot count to the fullest. Then again, it would have been nearly impossible for Visceral to truly pull this off in DLC, as players are going to want to carry over their weapons, ammo, and suit upgrades from the base game. While I would have loved to see more survival elements, I’ll give Awakened a pass here because it managed to get so much of the other essential details just right.

Dead Space 3: Awakened Screenshot

The only other complaint I can really make is that the content is incredibly short, clocking in at just a few hours. Then again, those hours are so full of great stuff that it’s hard to complain. Where Dead Space 3 struggled a bit with pacing, especially for those of us who obsessed over every side mission, Awakened gets right to the point. I’d much rather have a two-to-three hour high-quality experience than a ten-hour slog of artificially padded content.

All in all, it’s good to see Visceral finding new ways to remind us that Dead Space has always been a horror series, and I applaud their efforts here. Awakened delivers quite a bit of the things I felt were expected of Dead Space 3 yet were strangely missing.

If you were a fan of the first two games in the series, but you thought the third game missed the mark, Awakened could very well feel like the long-awaited return of an old friend.

By
Josh Wirtanen
Editor / Social Media
Date: March 15, 2013

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

4.5

Graphics
The level of detail is incredible, and the atmosphere is haunting once again.

4.0

Control
Those same refined Dead Space controls we found in Dead Space 3. Yes, the cover system and awkward roll move have both returned.

4.3

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
I still miss the overwhelming silence of space found in Dead Space 1 and 2, but there are some great audio details here.

4.5

Play Value
It’s only a few hours long, but the return of the haunting Dead Space atmosphere of old makes it worth the asking price.

4.4

Overall Rating - Great
Not an average. See Rating legend below for a final score breakdown.

Review Rating Legend
0.1 - 1.9 = Avoid	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	3.5 - 3.9 = Good	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair	4.0 - 4.4 = Great	5.0 = The Best

Game Features:

Dead Space 3 Awakened is a digital expansion pack for Dead Space 3 playable in single player and co-op.

In Dead Space 3 Awakened, gamers will experience the franchise’s darkest chapters in a story that serves as an extension of the Dead Space 3 saga.

Awakened begins when the game ends and continues the adventure for Isaac and Carver who have been left for dead on the devastated planet of Tau Volantis. The two men must escape from the abandoned planet, repair the Terra Nova, and find their way back to Earth. Only one problem: blood-thirsty Necromorphs continue to attack.