True, but when did I say this was a discussion about realism/fantasy? I'm just talking about how I personally dislike sci-fi action shooters because they've been cropping up all over the place recently. Sort of like WWII action/shooters a few years ago. It's true everything has been touched on before, but developers really have been hitting the sci-fi barrel a lot recently.
And here's an idea, if it comes down to "well it's a space game thus you must fight aliens" how about not having a setting that takes place in space? Why does everything always have to take place in space? What about a ghost pirate ship? How about in an ancient temple Roman thousands of years ago (ala parts of Eternal Darkness.) What about a mall (Dead Rising)? I can't think of a single reason why Dead Space would require a sci-fi setting. Mirror's Edge requires an urban setting because of its mechanics, GTA has to take place in a setting with vehicles because of its mechanics and Prey requires a setting with portals and gravity fluctuating devices.
Dead Space's mechanics are:
Enemy Mutilation: Neutralize enemy weak points to your advantage
Gravity Gun: Improvised weaponry
Zero Gravity: Strategic use of zero-G to your advantage
It seems all Dead Space is doing that's new is the zero-G component, and that's the last thing they talk about on their site as far as gameplay mechanics. Now, I played Fallout 3 which hasn't added anything new aside from V.A.Ts, but as a consumer I can easily tell Fallout 3 is different from Dead Space. What I've seen of Dead Space is more of the same I can get from anywhere else. And for most people that's ok, and it is ok, however I still think the developers could've done better with a different setting (it could be space, but what if it was Firefly's concept of space? I'm sure there's more than enough Browncoats out there to comment on how sci-fi does not ALWAYS have to have fucking aliens fucking eating fucking people.)
Again, this is only my opinion on the matter. I recognize it's not required or needed since the game is doing well. That said, unless you can prove Dead Space's mechanics where developed before it's setting then I would change my mind and agree with you. However the existence of an anime, graphic novel and the way the publishers have deliberately decided to focus attention on its setting over its mechanics leads me to believe the developers are more focused on making a sci-fi action/shooter than a cool game with mechanics that required it to be a sci-fi action/shooter.
And from the looks of it, the game is a shooter made by some sci-fi fans with a love for Arthur C. Clarke, anime and comics. And that's ok, and I can respect that decision. However I don't have to like it, nor does it invalidate my point that more people will be turned off to Dead Space's well-treaded setting.
Hell, as Yahtzee said, putting down a carpet and competent lighting would've gone a long way. In fact, I seem to remember a sir Arthur using carpet to allow lateral movement in zero gravity.
And here's an idea, if it comes down to "well it's a space game thus you must fight aliens" how about not having a setting that takes place in space? Why does everything always have to take place in space? What about a ghost pirate ship? How about in an ancient temple Roman thousands of years ago (ala parts of Eternal Darkness.) What about a mall (Dead Rising)? I can't think of a single reason why Dead Space would require a sci-fi setting. Mirror's Edge requires an urban setting because of its mechanics, GTA has to take place in a setting with vehicles because of its mechanics and Prey requires a setting with portals and gravity fluctuating devices.
Dead Space's mechanics are:
Enemy Mutilation: Neutralize enemy weak points to your advantage
Gravity Gun: Improvised weaponry
Zero Gravity: Strategic use of zero-G to your advantage
It seems all Dead Space is doing that's new is the zero-G component, and that's the last thing they talk about on their site as far as gameplay mechanics. Now, I played Fallout 3 which hasn't added anything new aside from V.A.Ts, but as a consumer I can easily tell Fallout 3 is different from Dead Space. What I've seen of Dead Space is more of the same I can get from anywhere else. And for most people that's ok, and it is ok, however I still think the developers could've done better with a different setting (it could be space, but what if it was Firefly's concept of space? I'm sure there's more than enough Browncoats out there to comment on how sci-fi does not ALWAYS have to have fucking aliens fucking eating fucking people.)
Again, this is only my opinion on the matter. I recognize it's not required or needed since the game is doing well. That said, unless you can prove Dead Space's mechanics where developed before it's setting then I would change my mind and agree with you. However the existence of an anime, graphic novel and the way the publishers have deliberately decided to focus attention on its setting over its mechanics leads me to believe the developers are more focused on making a sci-fi action/shooter than a cool game with mechanics that required it to be a sci-fi action/shooter.
And from the looks of it, the game is a shooter made by some sci-fi fans with a love for Arthur C. Clarke, anime and comics. And that's ok, and I can respect that decision. However I don't have to like it, nor does it invalidate my point that more people will be turned off to Dead Space's well-treaded setting.
Hell, as Yahtzee said, putting down a carpet and competent lighting would've gone a long way. In fact, I seem to remember a sir Arthur using carpet to allow lateral movement in zero gravity.