The upcoming Dead Space remake is apparently too scary to play using headphones, says one of its developers.
The Dead Space remake is nearly upon us and new, as well as returning fans can’t wait to be traumatised by the horrors that await within the USG Ishimura. Happy days!
The original Dead Space is still scary, might we add!
The original Dead Space was released back in 2008, 15 years ago. Seeing as that was some time ago, you’d be forgiven for thinking that its delivery of horror may have wavered. However, you couldn’t be further from the truth.
In preparation for the remake, I’ve been replaying the original game. Despite its age, it still looks great, it still makes me jump and it still sounds amazing. In fact, I’ve been replaying it using headphones and all these years later, it would still teach the modern generation of gaming a thing or two about audio design.
Will you wear headphones player Dead Space?
So with that in mind, we have high hopes for the remake which arrives later this month. As reported by Gamesradar, the technical director at EAs Motive Studio, David Robillard has claimed that playing the Dead Space remake at night with headphones is no easy task.
“When I’m playing it at night, I can’t play it with headphones. It’s just too fucking scary,” Robillard told Play magazine in issue #22. “Just the amount of realism and, again, atmosphere. Not just visually, right?”
“In the way we handle sound, ambience, effects, having systems that will try to spook you,” he continued. “These things, you know, could have been done [on PS4], but not to the level we’re doing them today. And they really add a lot to this sort of genre and make the whole kind of experience come together even more.”
Great audio is what makes a great horror experience
It doesn’t matter how good a horror game might look or play, without equal audio design, it won’t have the maximum impact on the player. What’s more, this is one of the reasons why I love the original Dead Space. The same can also be said with the likes of Silent Hill 2 as well as the Resident Evil 2 remake.
Seeing is not the only way of believing. Sometimes knowing that something could be lurking around the next corner can be terrifying. Especially if you can hear something in the distance.
For example, Alien Isolation triggers fear at the mere thump in an air vent that puts you on constant edge knowing that the oversized Xenomorph is toying with your emotions.
When is the Dead Space remake release date?
Thankfully, we won’t have too long to wait to be terrified by the Necromorphs of the USG Ishimura. The Dead Space remake will be released for PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on Friday, January 27th.
Are you looking forward to the Dead Space remake? Let us know across our social media channels.
While you’re here, be sure to check out our video of the week. 10 of the scariest horror games of all time are shown off. What is your favourite horror game?
Featured Image Credit: EA/Motive Studio/Source: Gamesrader via Play Magazine