A decade after its release, Dead Space 3 still stands as a divisive chapter in the beloved horror series. The game’s pivot to a more action-centered style garnered praise from some quarters, while others, particularly hardcore fans, lamented what they saw as a departure from its traditional horror foundations. Though it’s a little too late, Chuck Beaver, the writer and co-producer of the game, has recently shared his thoughts on what he would have done differently.
In a chat on the CaptainBribo podcast, Beaver opened up about his vision for Dead Space 3, stating that if given a shot, he’d “redo Dead Space 3 almost completely”. While he’d retain the core lore, he’d reimagine the relationship dynamics, particularly between Ellie and Isaac, and overhaul the main storyline.
One of the most intriguing aspects Beaver touched upon was the co-op mechanic. He envisioned a scenario where two players would experience the same environment differently.
Imagine playing alongside a friend and realizing that what you’re seeing isn’t the same as what they’re witnessing. This would not only add layers of depth to the gameplay but also intensify the psychological horror elements that have endeared fans to the franchise.
Beaver went ahead to shed light on some of the constraints the team faced during the development of Dead Space 3. Contrary to what many believed, the team wasn’t given the green light to create a pure horror game from the get-go.
Instead, there was a push to diversify the gameplay genres. This decision, Beaver believes, might have been the game’s undoing. By trying to cater to a broader audience, they ended up alienating many of their core fans.
This revelation confirms what fans have known all these years. EA’s vision to broaden the appeal of Dead Space and tap into the action/shooter genre came at a great cost. The horror elements that were once integral to the series felt forced and out of place in this new context. Dead Space 3 struggled to maintain a sense of tension and atmosphere, resorting to jump scares that felt unearned and disjointed.
Looking back, it’s evident Dead Space 3 was a product of its time. With the industry transitioning and experimenting a lot lately, it’s no surprise that the game tried to wear many hats. However, as history has shown repeatedly, not all experiments yield positive results.
While Beaver’s insights are purely hypothetical (though this is subject to change) and don’t change the Dead Space 3 we got, they do offer a fascinating glimpse into the creative process and the challenges game developers face. It’s all the more reason why developers and publishers should have a united vision before embarking on any project.
Thankfully, history did not define the future of Dead Space as a franchise. The recent Dead Space remake, launched earlier this year, has proven to be a triumph on both critical and financial fronts, clinching the second-highest sales spot for the month of January.
