Dead Space 3

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In Dead Space 3, Isaac Clarke and soldier John Carver brave the harsh planet Tau Volantis to stop the Necromorphs, uncovering exclusive story elements and strategies in co-op mode. Players can choose between single-player and co-op campaigns, with the latter providing a unique perspective on the story. Together, they battledeadlier enemies and survive harsh elements to save humanity.

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Play Modes

Reviews

70%

Audience ScoreBased on 3,959 reviews

story303 positive mentions

monetization28 negative mentions

story
1,340 mentions
23 % positive mentions
65 % neutral mentions
12 % negative mentions
The story of "Dead Space 3" has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it weaker than its predecessors. Critics highlight a convoluted plot filled with clichés, a forced love triangle, and underdeveloped characters, which detracts from the overall experience. While some appreciate the continuation of Isaac Clarke's journey and the lore surrounding the markers, the reliance on co-op missions for significant story elements and the lack of horror elements have left many feeling disappointed. Overall, the narrative is seen as a step down, with some players recommending it primarily for co-op gameplay rather than its story.
- “The ancient graveyard feeling of Tau Volantis and its orbit is actually insanely captivating, the sound design (with a few exceptions) stands the test of time just the same as the previous Dead Space games, and the story is actually a pretty good continuation of Isaac Clarke's foray into unending madness.”
- “The story, a tapestry of personal struggle and cosmic horror, is where 'Dead Space 3' truly shines. The plot doesn't shy away from exploring the psychological toll of facing insurmountable odds, and the relationships between characters are so well-crafted that you feel every pang of emotion along the way.”
- “The story is engaging and emotionally resonant, with twists and turns that keep players invested in the fate of the characters.”
- “The plot is godawful, filled with predictable tropes from action movies, disposable characters that the game sorta tries to make you care for but die in the most unconventional ways.”
- “The story was horrendous; it made what happened in the previous games insignificant as they already knew that these things were connected, and if Isaac and everyone associated wanted to end this 'convergence' once and for all, more time and research would have been done into trying to find the source.”
- “The story is a jumbled mess that often feels too ridiculous or convenient to fully immerse you in the experience.”
gameplay
489 mentions
24 % positive mentions
66 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Dead Space 3" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting a shift towards more action-oriented mechanics compared to its predecessors. While some appreciate the introduction of weapon crafting and co-op gameplay, others criticize the repetitive nature of combat, the lack of horror elements, and the clunky mechanics that detract from the overall experience. Overall, the gameplay is seen as enjoyable but flawed, with a significant departure from the survival horror roots that defined the earlier titles in the series.
- “The gameplay is great when it adheres to the franchise's roots and ranges from okay to abysmal when it focuses on being an action game.”
- “The gameplay mechanics offered a familiar yet slightly enhanced experience compared to previous games.”
- “The core gameplay remains unchanged; even if it's less of a 'walking through a haunted house alone' vibe.”
- “There's almost no new mechanics introduced except for a dodging roll you can do on command, which most of the time is useless because you fight in tight spaces for the majority of the game.”
- “The gameplay suffers immensely when I'm just shooting waves and waves of braindead enemies over and over with the same gun for the entire game.”
- “The gameplay is boring as hell: run, shoot, run, shoot, run, shoot... lather, rinse, repeat.”
graphics
197 mentions
41 % positive mentions
53 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising the beautiful visuals and atmospheric environments, particularly in space and on the frozen planet Tau Volantis. While some players note that the graphics still hold up well for a game released in 2013, others feel that they have aged poorly compared to earlier installments in the series, particularly in character models and overall aesthetic coherence. Overall, the visuals are often highlighted as a strong point, despite some criticisms regarding specific design choices and technical issues.
- “The graphics are a marvel, bringing the desolate ice planet and the grotesque monstrosities that lurk within it to life in harrowing detail.”
- “Being a game 11 years old, its graphics are not only top-notch quality by today's standards but superior in many aspects, such as physics, animations, and design, far superior to most of the games that are released currently.”
- “The aesthetics of the game are stunning, immersing players in the strange, frozen landscapes of Tau Volantis.”
- “The graphics somehow feel downgraded with lots of filters mixed together.”
- “Right from the start, the graphics look awful, way worse than Dead Space 1 and 2.”
- “The graphics are somehow worse than Dead Space 2.”
atmosphere
159 mentions
39 % positive mentions
57 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in "Dead Space 3" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting a significant shift from the dread and horror of the first two installments to a more action-oriented experience. While some appreciate the game's immersive environments and sound design, others feel that the tension and psychological horror elements have been largely diminished, resulting in a less engaging atmosphere overall. Despite these criticisms, certain aspects of the atmosphere still resonate with players, particularly in co-op mode and specific locations, though it fails to capture the same level of fear and unease that defined its predecessors.
- “The dark and eerie atmosphere of the game really drew me in.”
- “Immersive atmosphere: from the eerie silence of derelict spacecraft to the bone-chilling encounters with grotesque necromorphs, Dead Space 3 masterfully crafts an atmosphere of dread and tension.”
- “The atmosphere and storytelling of this game is phenomenal; every moment you spend wandering the different areas of the game you are left with a feeling of unease at what might be lurking nearby.”
- “It's a horror game that had no fear or atmosphere to it from start to end.”
- “The over-reliance and singular focus on non-stop combat doesn't give the game room to breathe -- to build atmosphere, to build tension, to make those seminal boss battles or horrific moments even more intense.”
- “The second installment had a shift towards action, but there was still plenty of atmosphere and tension, but all of that is gone in this third game.”
monetization
87 mentions
3 % positive mentions
64 % neutral mentions
32 % negative mentions
The monetization in the game has drawn significant criticism, primarily due to the prevalence of microtransactions and DLC that many players feel detract from the core experience. Critics argue that these elements create a "pay-to-win" environment, forcing players to engage with in-game purchases to fully enjoy the game, especially in co-op modes where essential content is locked behind paywalls. While some players claim that the microtransactions can be ignored without impacting gameplay, the overall sentiment is that the monetization strategies employed by EA have negatively affected the game's integrity and the beloved franchise's legacy.
- “Although I am aware of the shortcomings with the microtransactions and scrap system, I had some fun with it.”
- “There are microtransactions in the game, but it's pointless to buy these resource items, because if you play and explore as intended, the game gives you plenty (so you can ignore that aspect at least).”
- “Don't be intimidated by all the microtransactions as they don't matter; they don't give any huge advantage.”
- “Instead of being a faithful Dead Space game, they went with a more generic shooter game and attempted to make more money through in-game microtransactions, which completely destroyed the game's vibe.”
- “Massive story content is locked behind co-op (good luck getting that to work unless you have a friend you can coerce into playing through this game with you), in-game resources are soft-locked behind paywalls, and scummy microtransactions try to seep their way into the game with the 'real' ending to the experience lying in a co-op only escapade.”
- “The biggest issue, and the thing that killed both the franchise and developer along with it, was EA's insistence on 'replay value' pork like forced online co-op to complete some side missions, and in-game microtransactions to 'buy' resources and skip the grind, or weapons/armor sets unavailable any other way with real-world money.”
music
66 mentions
33 % positive mentions
62 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising the soundtrack as "amazing" and integral to the gameplay experience, particularly during key moments that enhance intensity. However, others criticize the music for feeling out of place or repetitive, detracting from the horror atmosphere that the series is known for. Overall, while there are standout tracks, the inconsistency in music quality and thematic alignment leaves some players disappointed.
- “The music is amazing in this game.”
- “The soundtrack is incredible and is 300 times better than 1 and 2.”
- “However, the gameplay is still good and the soundtrack is excellent.”
- “The overall feel is so junky, like someone deep fried this game and whatever expectations you might have had for a horror experience before starting the game is killed by the odd music choice.”
- “The music in this game feels very out of place with the theme of the game, especially when compared to the previous games.”
- “After DS2, I had high hopes for this game; this does not feel like a Dead Space game to me. They essentially removed all of the good things from the previous game... even the music ruins the immersion.”
humor
57 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding it entertaining, especially in co-op mode, where awkward moments and janky mechanics lead to laughter. Characters like John Carver and the absurdity of weapon crafting add to the comedic experience, though some humor is unintentional and stems from the game's flaws. Overall, while the game leans more towards being funny than scary, it provides a lighthearted experience that can be enjoyable with friends.
- “The game gives you enough resources to craft a weapon around chapter 16 and 17, and the funny thing is the game is 19 chapters total, so yeah you can craft 1 weapon and play with it for 2 chapters without trying it, haha.”
- “Dead Space 3, the game that proves that space can be terrifying and hilarious all at once.”
- “The dialogue and/or storytelling is at times unnatural, but when playing with a friend it makes the awkwardness or jank hilarious and fun.”
stability
49 mentions
4 % positive mentions
2 % neutral mentions
94 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has been widely criticized, with numerous users reporting persistent bugs, glitches, and crashes that significantly detract from the overall experience. Many players have experienced game-breaking issues, particularly related to the EA Origin launcher, which exacerbates the instability. Overall, the game is described as a "buggy mess," leading to frustration and disappointment, especially compared to its predecessors.
- “But runs great graphically on PC.”
- “And runs great on Steam Deck!”
- “Buggy mess, very disappointing after the previous two titles.”
- “Unfortunately EA has decided to make their own games unplayable by insisting you have to log in with their utterly terrible, pointless, and useless EA Origin launcher which means the game freezes and fails to launch.”
- “Insane considering the age of this game how buggy and unfinished it is.”
grinding
39 mentions
5 % positive mentions
5 % neutral mentions
90 % negative mentions
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious and repetitive, often leading to frustration. Many reviews highlight the abundance of generic fetch quests, backtracking, and overwhelming enemy encounters that detract from the overall enjoyment. While some appreciate the depth of weapon customization and resource gathering, the consensus is that these elements feel more like filler content than engaging gameplay.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “A lot of grinding.”
- “The tedious end-of-level boss crab thing will ensure that I never play this otherwise excellent game ever again.”
- “Game drags itself with tedious tasks, definitely filler content.”
- “The game becomes tedious over time, going through the same scenarios over and over again and replacing the scare factor with bursts of bugs, which end up being tedious rather than entertaining.”
replayability
26 mentions
27 % positive mentions
62 % neutral mentions
12 % negative mentions
Overall, the replayability of the game is a mixed bag among reviewers. Many praise the deep weapon customization and cooperative gameplay, which enhance replay value and encourage multiple playthroughs, while others criticize the forced online co-op and microtransactions that detract from the experience. Ratings for replayability vary significantly, with some giving it as high as 8/10 for its fun mechanics and variety, while others rate it as low as 0/10, indicating a lack of incentive to replay.
- “The cooperative campaign is a blast to play and has some unique features such as Isaac and Carver having separate hallucination experiences and conversations with other characters, which leads to a higher replay value.”
- “All the levels are really fun; each chapter has a lot of identity, which I found surprising due to the setting, and there's a really in-depth weapon crafting system that boosts the game's replayability significantly.”
- “There’s a lot in Dead Space 3 that we know and love about the series as a whole, together with plenty of options and replay value thanks to the creative and flexible combat mechanics and unlockable difficulty modes.”
- “Overall, I recommend this game to Dead Space lovers, but the replay value is zero for me.”
- “The biggest issue, and the thing that killed both the franchise and developer along with it, was EA's insistence on 'replay value' like forced online co-op to complete some side missions, and in-game microtransactions to 'buy' resources and skip the grind, or weapons/armor sets unavailable any other way with real-world money.”
- “Replayability – 2/10”
emotional
25 mentions
92 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players feeling that key emotional moments lack depth and are unearned, while others praise the character development and impactful storytelling, particularly in the earlier installments of the series. Many express disappointment in the emotional execution of newer entries, citing clichéd backstories and forced emotional scenes that fail to resonate. Overall, while some players find genuine emotional engagement, others criticize the narrative for being forgettable and lacking investment.
- “Hey, listen to me EA, it really makes my heart hurt to know that Dead Space 4 never happened. I played the Dead Space remake and ended up continuing with Dead Space 2 and Dead Space 3. You really developed Isaac Clarke's character very well; I almost shed tears at the ending of Dead Space 2, and you made me cry at the ending of Dead Space 3. I really hope you continue the 4th installation.”
- “The story is engaging and emotionally resonant, with twists and turns that keep players invested in the fate of the characters.”
- “I found nothing but pain, despair, and I cried twice.”
- “Boring setting, boring story and characters, and uninspired monster design.”
optimization
21 mentions
38 % positive mentions
43 % neutral mentions
19 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing significant stuttering and frame drops, particularly in solo play, while others report smooth performance even on older hardware. The requirement to launch the EA Play launcher has been noted as a performance hindrance. Overall, while some users find the game well-optimized and visually impressive, others struggle with technical issues that detract from the experience.
- “There is no loading screen throughout the game and you run smoothly through the story without any distraction.”
- “The good: buttery smooth performance and still visually stunning to this day.”
- “Game is pretty dang optimized as well, runs on high very well on my old PC (2010 workstation SFF).”
- “Only complaint I have is when I played solo I experienced stuttering and maybe even frame drops. Now that I reinstalled and played with my friend, I did not suffer from it much at all.”
- “I'm trying to run this game with a 4090 and 132 GB of RAM, and no matter what I do, I'm getting unbearable stuttering.”
- “This game though... has an optimization problem or something.”
character development
13 mentions
23 % positive mentions
54 % neutral mentions
23 % negative mentions
Character development in "Dead Space 3" is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating the deeper exploration of Isaac Clarke's past and relationships, while others criticize the handling of his character, describing it as inconsistent and lacking depth compared to previous installments. The introduction of Carver offers some additional development, particularly in co-op play, but many feel that the overall execution falls short, leading to a perception of cringe-worthy storytelling and underwhelming character arcs. Overall, while there are moments of growth, the character development is often seen as uneven and not fully realized.
- “Unlike its predecessors, DS3 focuses more on character development and emotions rather than pure action or survival.”
- “The main character Isaac Clarke's past and personal relationships are further fleshed out, and this character development is one of the most fascinating aspects of the game.”
- “While it can still be played solo, playing co-op unlocks side quests that allow for character development and growth between Carver and Isaac throughout the story, allowing for a richer experience.”
- “And Carver is someone who literally just shows up and we get to learn very little about, only to see he's not interesting at all and just gets a little character development by the end.”
- “Isaac is acting like a high school teenager at 50 years old and has minimal character development from the previous games.”
- “The story, the storytelling, the atmosphere, the dialogues, the character development, everything sounds like it was made by a 14-year-old and is ultra cringe.”