Discover Top-5 Dead Space Remake Alternatives for True Survival Horror Thrills

The news of the Dead Space Remake has brought excitement and anticipation to the world of survival horror gaming. The iconic franchise, with its blend of terror, action, and atmospheric setting, has inspired a number of other games that fans may want to explore as they eagerly wait for the reimagined classic. These top-5 Dead Space alternatives offer riveting gameplay with chilling stories and unforgettable settings, and some diverse choices within the survival horror genre to keep you thoroughly entertained in the meantime.

1. Alien: Isolation

Inspired by the legendary 1979 science-fiction horror film by Ridley Scott, Alien: Isolation is an immersive survival horror game that will keep you on the edge of your seat with every terrifying encounter.

Gameplay:

Alien: Isolation features a first-person perspective, making the experience even more intense and personal. Players assume the role of Amanda Ripley, daughter of the iconic Ellen Ripley, as they navigate through Sevastopol Station. The gameplay focuses on stealth and strategy, as players must avoid the deadly Xenomorph stalking them throughout the space station. Additionally, players must confront human and android enemies while conservatively managing their resources and crafting gadgets to help them survive.

Story:

Set between the events of the first and second Alien movies, Alien: Isolation follows Amanda Ripley's quest to solve the mystery of her mother's disappearance. Her journey leads her to Sevastopol Station, where she encounters a deadly alien creature that relentlessly pursues her. Along the way, players uncover the story behind the station's fall into chaos and the corrupt corporation that catalyzed these grisly events.

Setting:

Sevastopol Station's haunting, derelict atmosphere is reminiscent of the original Dead Space. Its dark, labyrinthine corridors and abandoned rooms are filled with the remnants of a once-thriving human community, now plagued by terror and despair. The station design is heavily influenced by Ridley Scott's Alien movie, further enhancing the authenticity and immersion of the experience.

2. Soma

From the creators of Amnesia: The Dark Descent, Frictional Games delivers another masterpiece of horror with Soma – presenting a thought-provoking narrative set in an underwater research facility.

Gameplay:

Soma's gameplay revolves around exploration, puzzle-solving, and avoiding monstrous enemies. With no combat mechanics, players must use their wits and environmental resources to outsmart or hide from the deadly creatures roaming the facility. The game emphasizes the importance of a stealthy approach and quick thinking, providing an unnerving sense of vulnerability much like Dead Space.

Story:

Soma treats players to an existential science-fiction horror tale. The protagonist, Simon Jarrett, awakens in an underwater research facility known as PATHOS-II, where he quickly realizes that things have gone horribly wrong. Delving deeper, he learns about the facility's AI system and the experiments conducted on human consciousness. Simon must confront challenging ethical dilemmas and piece together the horrors of PATHOS-II while trying to stay alive.

Setting:

The deep-sea backdrop of Soma adds an extra layer of suffocating dread to the experience. The dark, cramped, and water-filled environment evokes a sense of isolation and claustrophobia, making every shadow and flicker of movement all the more menacing. The once-promising research facility now stands as a grotesque reminder of humanity's hubris, with twisted machinery and eerie biological growths haunting every corner.

3. The Evil Within

Intro: Directed by Resident Evil creator Shinji Mikami, The Evil Within is a gripping psychological horror game that blends action, stealth, and bizarre, nightmarish imagery to create an unforgettable experience.

Gameplay:

The Evil Within balances stealth and combat, allowing players to choose between a cautious approach or a more aggressive stance. Players control Sebastian Castellanos, a police detective with a traumatic past, as he investigates a series of gruesome murders. The game features a range of weapons, traps, and gadgets, giving players the tools they need to confront the monstrous enemies they encounter. The game's innovative resource management system adds an extra layer of challenge, with players scavenging for resources to upgrade their weapons and abilities.

Story:

After arriving at a gruesome crime scene, Sebastian is drawn into a twisted, nightmarish world created by a supernatural force. As he sinks deeper into this surreal landscape, he uncovers the disturbing truth behind the murders and their connection to a sinister conspiracy. Throughout the game, players face horrific creatures and twisted environments, with the line between reality and illusion becoming increasingly blurred.

Setting:

What sets The Evil Within apart from other survival horror games is its unpredictable and ever-changing world. Sebastian's journey takes him through a multitude of disturbing environments – from abandoned hospitals and crumbling buildings to surreal dreamscapes. The game's dark, oppressive atmosphere is beautifully complemented by grotesque enemy designs and disturbing, symbolic imagery that will haunt players long after the final credits roll.

4. Prey (2017)

Arkane Studios' Prey combines first-person action with elements of survival horror and science fiction, placing players in control of Morgan Yu, a scientist trapped on a space station overrun by hostile alien creatures.

Gameplay:

In Prey, players are given a choice between stealth, combat, and exploration to accomplish their objectives. With a range of gadgets and abilities at their disposal, players can choose to avoid or confront the shape-shifting Typhon alien creatures that inhabit the space station. Gameplay also offers a robust crafting and upgrade system, encouraging players to scavenge for resources and become more efficient in combat, stealth, and hacking abilities to adapt to the ever-changing challenges of the game world.

Story:

Set on the Talos I space station in an alternate timeline where John F. Kennedy survives his assassination attempt, Prey explores the implications of the advancements in human neuromod technology as well as the consequences of tampering with an unknown alien life form. As Morgan Yu, players must unravel the mystery behind the Typhon outbreak and the decisions made by covert government agencies and corporations that led to the current disaster.

Setting:

Talos I oozes atmosphere with its retro-futuristic art deco design and stunning views of Earth from the confines of space. The once-luxurious space station is now a terrifying, disorienting maze of ruined offices, laboratories, and living quarters. As players explore and survive the desolate station, they uncover a rich history of ambition, deception, and disaster that makes each room and corridor even more chilling.

5. Conarium

Inspired by H.P. Lovecraft's cosmic horror, Conarium is a chilling first-person adventure game that takes players on a haunting journey of discovery and madness in a mysterious, ancient Antarctic base.

Gameplay:

Conarium focuses on exploration, puzzle-solving, and narrative unraveling in a chilling, story-driven experience. Players control Frank Gilman, a member of an Antarctic expedition team, as they explore the enigmatic Antarctic base and uncover the truth behind a doomed expedition. With few traditional survival horror elements like combat or resource management, the game relies on atmosphere and mystery to keep players engaged and fearful of the unknown.

Story:

Set in the 1930s, Conarium tells the story of an ambitious scientific expedition to Antarctica that sought to explore the mysteries of the human mind and challenge the boundaries of reality. As Frank attempts to piece together his past, he uncovers the chilling truth behind the failed expedition and the horrifying fate that awaits him. As the story unfolds, players encounter otherworldly creatures, ancient secrets, and the psychological and physical consequences of challenging the fabric of reality.

Setting:

The secluded Antarctic base provides a chilling and claustrophobic environment ideal for a cosmic horror tale. The frozen wasteland, with its barren mountains and relentless snowstorms, is a character unto itself, representing the cold indifference of nature toward human ambition. The base, with its libraries, laboratories, and living quarters, is filled with relics of the doomed expedition and its obsession with the supernatural, offering players a haunting glimpse into the depths of human aspiration and folly.

Whether you're a seasoned survival horror enthusiast or joining the genre for the first time, these Dead Space Remake alternatives offer terrifying tales, captivating environments, and thrilling gameplay to sate your appetite for terror as you await the return of the iconic franchise. Happy (and horrifying) gaming!