Dead Space 3 has had a difficult lead-up to launch. James Cullinane weighs up whether this game's more action-oriented direction marks a new dawn for the series, or an ignominious end.

High production value occasionally shines; Crafting system is huge and flexible; Cooperative play is immensely satisfactory.

Microtransactions break the fourth wall; Drop-in, drop out coop is problematic; Action trumps horror.

What threatens to kill Dead Space 3 is that it's so much easier to talk about what it isn't rather than what it is. It's not scary, it's not difficult, and it's not especially memorable; however, its artistry is lush, its action is proven, and its co-op is strong.

It is a good game for any Dead space Fan, but it is just too predictable and lacking of the general hallucinations / silent hill-like story / concepts. still, fun game.

Isaac Clarke is a broken man - and who can blame him after his previous encounters with mutant space zombies, only to wind up tortured by Earth's government for his efforts? Set against the rise of a religious movement worshipping the mysterious Markers at the heart of the epidemic, Dead Space 3...

GOOD NOT BEST

Good Audio; Graphics

Poor Instructions

I really, really hate games you can't save yourself. The repetitiveness of going back to restart at a checkpoint kills any enjoyment. I didn't like the over-the-shoulder viewpoint, I didn't like the zombies and the plot seemed done to death.

The trilogy continues with the previous protagonist, Isaac Clarke, but this time joined by a partner: John Carver. Going into this I was extremely worried about EA's contribution as publisher to Visceral Studios. I had some biased feelings being burnt by Mass Effect 3 and Dragon Age II already.

The third installment of the Dead Space trilogy is upon us. We have journeyed along with Isaac Clarke and seen his horrors, both real and perceived, and how his fragile state of mind has been the cause of much of his anguish.

Controls will be familiar to Dead Space gamers; Music and sound effects set the tone perfectly

Less horror than in previous instalments; Linear gameplay for the main story

Dead Space 3 is already out in stores now, in case you've missed the news. And you'd better hurry up and grab a copy quick, or suffer the wrath of plenty of friends and players who will be dying to talk about it.

Awakened is extremely short and not really scary. Surely there are cultists and their leader and nightmares, but none of it feels like it matters because deep down in your heart you know that anything that jumps at you will eat lead (or plasma) and die.