Halloween Video Game Review: Dead Space Extraction(Wii)

***SPOILERS AHEAD!***

A rail shooter game released for the Nintendo Wii in 2009, Dead Space Extraction is one of the best horror games around! Extraction is actually a prequel to the original Dead Space for the PS3, Xbox 360, and PC. It takes place several days before the original game and eventually leads in to the opening of Dead Space. The story takes place on the colony planet Aegis VII. During routine mining operations the colonists discover a mysterious artifact known as the Red Marker. As the miners attempt to transfer the Red Marker to the planet-cracker class ship, the USG Ishimura, the Marker activates sending strange ear-piercing signals throughout the colony. You play as P-Sec officer Nathan McNeil throughout most of the game as you witness the colony's strange and terrifying decent into madness, as well as the emergence of the deadly Nechromorph creatures. As you progress you will encounter(and play as) several interesting and plot-important characters such as the P-Sec officer Sgt. Gabe Weller, the strangely Marker immune woman Lexine Murdoch, and the "mining executive" Warren Eckhardt. Many twists and turns abound in this great story as you try to discover the cause of the colony's madness and the source of the Necromorphs while discovering dark secrets relating to the cult-like Church of Unitology.

The gameplay to Extraction mat be simple, but it is just as polished and fun as the amazing story and characters! Being a rails-shooter all one has to do is point the Wii remote at the screen, aim with the reticle and shooting with the B trigger. Shacking the nunchuk allows you to use a mining pick as a melee weapon. Useful for pushing away Necromorphs that get a little too close. Like in the original Dead Space you also have use of kinesis and statis. Kinesis is a tool used in the series to pick up objects like crates or ammo and pulls it towards you. Some objects like flame canisters and crates can be used as make shift projectiles to use against your enemies instead of wasting ammo. Stasis as another useful tool, shooting a ball of energy at any enemy instantly slows them down giving you ample time to line up perfect shots! This is useful as unlike most enemies in the video game world Necromorphs can only be killed by strategic dismemberment! Cutting off the arms, legs or other limbs of the Necromorphs is the only way to kill them, head shots are completely useless! And believe me Necromorphs are very tough and sturdy adversaries!

The weapons in Extraction are returning favorites from Dead Space. Most weapons are basic mining tools like the ever reliable Plasma Cutter, Arc Welder, Flame thrower, and Line Gun. The only military grade weapons in the game are the P-Sec pistol, and the Pulse Rifle. All weapons and guns come with a useful and unique secondary fire which is activated by twisting the Wii remote side ways. All weapons are effective and useful but you still may find yourself favoring some over others.

As with Dead Space there is a fair bit of exploration to be done in Extraction. At some points if the game you are given the chance to look and aim with the Wii remote. Doing so gives you very little time to scour an environment  for health, ammo for your many different guns, and audio and written log books. These logs are used to shed more light on the back story of the Dead Space universe and are fun and challenging to collect!

Now on to the most important aspect of Dead Space Extraction: the horror! I am happy to say that Extraction is just as terrifying as the original game! The top notch graphics(for a Wii game anyway) and perfect lighting help make for an intense and unsettling experience as you traverse the ruins of the Aegis VII colony and the dark confines of the Ishimura! There were at least a dozen times when I jumped at the game! >.<  Then there are the memorable and disturbing moments, such as having to crawl through the Ishimura's cramped, Necromorph filled vents! But the one moment that really stands out for me is during the games last boss fight. I will never forget having to use your mining ax to cut off your own arm to escape the boss monster, all the while your character screaming bloody murder at the excruciating pain! This is horror gaming at its finest! :D

Extraction also comes with a fair bit of extras. There are timed attack modes where you and a co-op partner fight against hordes of Necromorphs. The entire story mode can be played with a friend at any given time, adding a bit more relief to the hordes of enemies in the game! The best extra comes in the form of a digital version of the comic book Dead Space. Taking place even before Extraction the comic follows new characters as they deal with the threat of the Red Marker and the Necromorphs! It also helps that the comics are fully voice acted!

All in all Dead Space Extraction is one fine game! Not only is it one of the best Wii games around it is an all around outstanding horror game! This is a game that must be played by fans of Dead Space and horror games in general! Do not miss out!

Dead Space Extraction(Wii) Score: 9/10

---------------FanBoy