So far, about four-five hours in, almost everything has improved from the original. I headed to my wonderful EB games and got it free with some awesome trade-ins (including the original Dead Space) and plugged it right in. At first I was impressed by how much smoother the controls are than the original, incredibly fluid controls are awesome. I plopped it right into hard and that's been a rather interesting decision. Not only do I have to continuously worry about ammo I also am getting killed, a lot.
The graphics were always good and they've merely received a little upgrade but their art direction has taken a drastic turn for improvement. Varied environments? Lighting that actually does a good job of being creepy? Cooler monsters? All are provided, with the caveat that it still retains all the monsters from the first game. You remember the horror from the first game? Remember how they did a relatively good job with atmosphere but couldn't manage anything else? I want to say that they've greatly improved in every respect but that would be a lie. What they've shown is very, very good improvement, especially with varying the atmosphere. Monsters still jump out at you and still pretend to be dead until you walk up to them. They've added in a really awesome touch where loot only drops from a body when you stomp on it or shoot it again, a nice little improvement.
The only major complaints I have about the game are the weapons. So far I'm using a single gun that wasn't in the first game. Just about every gun from the first game has reappeared for this installment, they're better but some new weapons would have been preferred. Also, Isaac talks in this game and his characters is kind of likeable. It's a needed addition so that we can have some sympathy for him but every time he starts talking I freak out a little, "Who's talking to me? Who is that? Oh, right, I talk now."
Also, for a game that's rated M the way that EA has marketed this game really, really put me off of it. Yes, my mother would be HORRIFIED of this game.....I don't live at home, I don't care what my mom thinks of my videogames, I doubt my mother could name a videogame that I own. You have to be over 18 to be able to buy this game, the older audience is the one that you're trying to impress....why are you aiming your advertising at the 13 year old crowd? Honestly EA, you're getting a lot better but you NEED to fire that marketing team. If they're also responsible for the Sin To Win debacle from Dante's Inferno then they need to be purged from this earth.
