The USG Ishimura drifts through space again, silent and full of secrets. Before you board EA Motive’s haunting remake of Dead Space, here are seven things that could mean the difference between surviving the horrors ahead-or becoming one of them.
Considering that people born the same year as Dead Space are in high school now, it’s probably time for a refresher even if this isn’t your first time on the USG Ishimura. Our Dead Space remake beginner’s guide will get you stomping necromorphs with tips on what’s new in the remake, plus advice on how to deal with corpses, what to buy at stores, how to find side missions, and how best to explore the Ishimura.
It’s the same, but different
The Dead Space remake stays true to the chilling spirit of the 2008 classic while refreshing nearly every detail. You’ll recognize the same claustrophobic corridors and tense atmosphere, but the new version refines the pacing, sound design, and visual fidelity to make the dread feel sharper and more immediate. EA Motive has adjusted mechanics like zero-gravity movement and weapon handling, giving familiar encounters a fresh edge without breaking their original rhythm. It feels both nostalgic and new, a careful reconstruction that respects its roots while tightening every screw of the experience.
If this is your first time with Dead Space, first, hoo boy, buckle up! And second, this section won’t mean much to you.
Generally speaking – we’ll get into more detail on the differences here – the Dead Space remake is the same game, just updated. All the story beats, enemies, mechanics, and abilities are the same, but there are a few details that have changed. Some are as simple as a nice musical swell when you pick up the plasma cutter for the first time or new ways for the game to play with lighting (or the lack thereof). Others are more noticeable.
Certain mission objectives are different – in one instance, to move ahead, you may have to look for a circuit breaker instead of a keycard. It doesn’t change anything in the larger picture, but it’ll confuse you if you’re reading old walkthroughs from years past.
There are also side missions now. These are mostly about filling in the larger backstory of the game. They weren’t in the original, though, so they’ll be a bit of a surprise even if you played the original.
Embrace (or at least tolerate) scarcity
Ammo, health packs, and credits disappear faster than you expect in Dead Space, so hoard what you can and think before you shoot. Wasting plasma cutter ammo on weak enemies or ignoring resource management can leave you exposed at the worst time. Use your tools creatively-stasis and kinesis are just as valuable as guns for saving supplies. Learning restraint early on will make survival much easier later.
Playing Dead Space means (almost) always being low on health and ammo, and being just on the verge of losing both Isaac’s sanity and the game. That’s just part of it – think of it like a Resident Evil game.
You’re probably never going to be flush with ammo or health packs (especially early on), and anything you do pick up will get used right away. Be patient, look everywhere for stuff to pick up (a lot more on this below), and do your best to suppress your instincts to blindly fire at every scary sound. Every little bit helps.
The scarcity of ammo and healing makes clever use of non-ammo attacks all the more important.
Use the environment and Isaac’s abilities
Environmental hazards can be just as dangerous to enemies as they are to you. Use explosive canisters, stasis fields, and sharp debris to your advantage by freezing or impaling Necromorphs during combat. Isaac’s stasis module and kinesis powers transform ordinary objects into deadly tools, helping conserve ammo and creating breathing room in tight encounters. Keep an eye on your surroundings-many rooms hide traps or interactive elements that can quickly turn the tide of a fight.
Within the first couple hours, Isaac will pick up two new ways to interact with the world: the Stasis and Kinesis abilities. Stasis slows time, and Kinesis allows you to pick up and throw objects. When they’re introduced, you’ll use both abilities to repair puzzle-like mechanical issues on the Ishimura, and that makes it easy to forget they’re there the rest of the time.
Use those abilities on enemies as often as you can. Stasis will slow an approaching necromorph, allowing you to get away or fire off a few more shots. Kinesis lets you throw everything from severed body parts to office furniture to exploding canisters at the baddies.
There are two kinds of those exploding canisters. The red ones explode in a fireball and the blue ones explode in a sphere of Stasis. Shooting one makes it explode where it is, and throwing one with Kinesis makes it act more like a grenade.
Stomp corpses for items
Necromorphs may drop valuable supplies after defeat, but they often hide extra resources inside their bodies. Once an enemy is down, stomp on the corpse to break it apart and collect ammo, credits, or healing items. This simple action can make a big difference in tight situations, helping you stay stocked and ready for the next threat aboard the Ishimura.
Speaking of ammo, you’re not quite done with a necromorph once you shoot off its limbs and put it down. Dealing a little more damage usually makes the corpse drop an item like a health pack or a clip of ammo.
The best way to do this is with a melee attack or a stomp – that way you don’t waste any ammo – but any type damage works. If a necromorph dies in an explosion (see above), they tend to take enough damage to drop the item without a stomp.
Explore everywhere
The Dead Space remake rewards players who explore every corridor, vent, and maintenance tunnel. Hidden supplies, weapon upgrades, and audio logs often lie off the main path, giving you an edge against the horrors of the Ishimura. Paying attention to flickering lights or strange noises can reveal alternate routes or secret rooms that help you survive longer. Exploration not only boosts your resources but also deepens the eerie atmosphere that defines the experience.
Dead Space is not an open-world game, so you’ll usually know exactly where you’re going next. That doesn’t mean there’s no room for exploration, though. You’ll often find items squirreled away in dark corners or in rooms just off the critical path.
Go the wrong way down hallways. Check supply closets and bathrooms. Scour every room you head into. Like most of the tips above say, every little bit helps.
You’ll also be upgrading your Security Clearance throughout the game, and that unlocks new doors, lockers, and crates you couldn’t previously open in in places you’ve already visited. Backtrack when you get a new security clearance to look for those items.
Save often and learn from your mistakes
Saving frequently can spare you from replaying long sections after an untimely death, especially with how unpredictable the Necromorph encounters can be. Use every save station you find, and don’t fear mistakes-each failure teaches you more about enemy behavior, ammo management, and the best ways to use your tools. Trial and error is part of surviving on the Ishimura, and adapting to each lesson will make you stronger with every attempt.
There’s no auto-save in Dead Space, so you’ll be limited to the save points you find scattered around the Ishimura. The thing is, that might be a good thing.
Dead Space isn’t really a Souls-like game, but dying (repeatedly) and replaying a section gives you room to learn where attacks come from and practice a little.
We recently struggled with a wave of several enemies until we noticed a handful of explosive canisters around the room and realized there was time to pile them up nearby before the attack came. Using the canisters not only saved on a ton of ammo, it made a deadly wave of enemies manageable.
Yes, it’s frustrating to have to keep trying (and failing), but you might just find a way to save a little ammo.
Watch behind you
Necromorphs can strike from anywhere, and the silence of the Ishimura can be deceiving. Keep your head on a swivel-vents, ceilings, and dark corners often hide something waiting to tear through. Audio cues like metal creaks or sudden whispers usually mean trouble, so maintain awareness before moving forward. Survival often depends on noticing movement behind you before it’s too late.
Very early on, you’ll learn that the necromorphs move through the vents. This is creepy in its own right, but it does mean that enemies can come from anywhere. And necromorphs love sneaking up behind you.
Best weapons for dismembering Necromorphs in Dead Space remake
In Dead Space remake, the best weapons for dismembering Necromorphs prioritize precision limb-severing over center-mass shots, with ammo efficiency key due to scarcity. Top picks like the Plasma Cutter and Line Gun excel here, as noted in prior guides.
Top Weapons
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Plasma Cutter: Your starter tool shines for pinpoint horizontal/vertical cuts on legs and arms; upgrade for burn damage to finish foes fast.
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Line Gun: Cuts multiple limbs at once with wide beams or laser mines; ideal for groups or hallways.
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Ripper: Charges a ricocheting saw blade to slice appendages predictably in tight spaces.
Strong Alternatives
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Contact Beam: High-damage bursts vaporize limbs at range, especially upgraded; great for bosses.
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Force Gun: Area blasts stagger crowds, exposing limbs for follow-ups; pairs with cutters.
Loadout Tips
Carry 2-3 weapons max-Plasma Cutter as core, plus one AoE like Flamethrower for swarmers or Pulse Rifle for mines that knock off legs. Kinesis flings Necromorph blades back as free dismemberment tools. Upgrade damage nodes first at benches.
How to upgrade Plasma Cutter for better dismemberment
Upgrading the Plasma Cutter in Dead Space remake enhances its precision and power for efficient Necromorph limb dismemberment, making it ammo-efficient and versatile throughout the game.
Nodes Priority
Spend power nodes at benches prioritizing Damage and Capacity first for stronger shots and more ammo per clip, followed by Reload Speed. You’ll need around 23 nodes total for full upgrades across all slots; focus early nodes here over other weapons.
Key Parts Locations
Install three special upgrades for advanced dismemberment boosts:
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Ishimura Clinic (Chapter 2): First part in Medical on floor 4, marked by yellow glow-unlocks basic enhancements.
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Store (post-Chapter 3): Buy Heat Accumulator for 11,000 credits to add burn damage on hits.
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Maintenance Locker Room (Chapter 8): Weighted Blades on Bridge level 2 near Comms Hub gondola-boosts melee to stagger/knock down foes ammo-free.
Upgrade Tips
Fully upgraded, shots ignite flesh for extra DoT, aiding multi-limb severance; pair with vertical/horizontal aiming for legs first. Weighted Blades shine in one-gun runs or against regenerators like Hunter. Sell junk for credits, and backtrack as benches unlock.
