And after reaching the end credits myself, I'm still not entirely convinced it needs to either, yet I'm extremely happy it does. That might be a cynical viewpoint, but it's no less valid.

The remake's leap in graphical fidelity breathes new life into its stifling horror, but public discourse has centered on whether it really needs to exist in the first place. There's very little that feels dated about its design, and the strategic dismemberment that forms the basis of its combat still offers a unique and gory thrill that's yet to be replicated. The original 2008 game is a modern classic that holds up exceedingly well by today's standards. EA thought they had a golden goose, so they just relentlessly beat it to death and then tossed it aside when it didn’t spit out quite as much money as they wanted.14 years is a long time in the video games industry, yet it still doesn't feel like quite long enough for EA’s Dead Space. It’s success spawned all sorts of spin-offs including comics, animated films, a puzzle game, mobile game, a legitimately good sequel in the form of “Dead Space 2,” and a disputed third game that had microtransactions unnecessarily forced into it. Despite all this, the original “Dead Space” was seen as the successor to “Resident Evil 4.” It’s almost like if you tossed “RE 4” and “ Event Horizon” into a blender and seasoned it with some “ Alien” and “System Shock.”

The studio, now renamed Visceral Games, was eventually shut down. In 2008, a studio then known as EA Redwood Shores released a new survival/horror intellectual property called “Dead Space.” After releasing to immediate critical and commercial success, the series was subsequently run into the ground by Electronic Arts (EA).

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