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Test Drive Unlimited 2 sets franchise record atop UK charts
It may be a case of Top Gear-fever, but Atari's Test Drive Unlimited 2 raced to the top of the UK all formats sales chart. Chart-Track notes that TDU2 is "by far" the biggest launch in the franchise, outselling the previous entry by more than double, with 68 percent of sales on Xbox 360, 28 percent on PS3 and the rest (4 percent) on PC. After two weeks as king of the mountain (standing gallantly atop a pile of Necromorphs), Dead Space 2's Isaac Clarke took the long way through an air duct and ended up in second place. The rest of the top five is some kind of late-2010 flashback, as FIFA 11, Call of Duty: Black Ops and Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood occupy spots three through five, respectively. Last week's big mover was Ubisoft's Dance Juniors, a "Kidz Bop" version of its unstoppable Just Dance franchise, which jumped 290 percent in its second week, just narrowly missing entry into the top ten at spot 12. We've placed a video of the game after the break to see what all the fuss is about, along with the UK top ten.
Play with Dead Space 2 devs this weekend, earn special in-game suit
The gore buffs of Visceral Games will play a few multiplayer rounds of Dead Space 2 this Saturday. Two sessions are scheduled for both PSN and Xbox Live, one beginning at 11:00am PST and another at 3:00pm. To make things more interesting, the developers will wear special "viral" suits. Any player that manages to kill a developer will unlock that suit and from that point, the suit will start spreading. In other words, anyone who kills another player who unlocked the suit will also unlock it. Those who plan to attend are asked to RSVP on the Dead Space Facebook page. Xbox.com has also listed the gamertags Visceral will be using. Those wishing to play on Xbox should send friend requests to the listed tags. Find them after the break.
Kinect hack gets a Wiimote assist, stomps all over Dead Space 2
It's not the first time that a Kinect hack has incorporated a Wiimote, but this demonstration from YouTube user Kick755 is certainly one of the more impressive examples to date -- even if it's still not quite ready to fully replace a controller. As with similar hacks, this one relies on the FAAST emulator for the Kinect end of the equation and GlovePIE for the Wiimote, but it has one notable feature that the others lack: the ability to quite literally stomp on your enemies in Dead Space 2. See for yourself after the break.
Kinect Hacks: Stomp through the Sprawl in Dead Space 2
This latest Kinect hack demo is something of a mixed bag: Some aspects of playing Dead Space 2 using Kinect and a Wiimote don't work so well. Others work really, really well -- like stomping. If there's a more satisfying-looking gesture in gaming for the rest of the year, we'll eat our hats.
Dead Space 2 'Origins' trailer examines Clarke's universe (Isaac, not Arthur)
This trailer, titled "Origins," is a galaxy-wide view of everything going on in the Dead Space franchise, from the recent sequel to the various animated films and recent novelization. We just have one question: Where exactly does Skate 3's Isaac Clarke fit in with all of this?
Dead Space plasma cutter replicas will strategically dismember your savings
The Plasma Cutter replica included with the collector's edition of Dead Space 2 is nice and all, but it doesn't have that overboard extravagance that some people want from their video game memorabilia. Now, these full-size replicas being released next month -- there's some real, substantial money-wastin'. The $220 replica of the Plasma Cutter from the first Dead Space, and the $240 Dead Space 2 version, are packaged in metal briefcase-style carriers, and have rechargeable batteries to power the realistic "3-blast spot" lighting. The only thing they lack is real cutting power -- which is a shame, because at these prices, you're going to wish for real life-or-death monster battles to justify the cost. [Thanks, Johnnynumber5!]
Visceral Games hears disabled gamer, adding customizable controls to Dead Space 2
Spooky cathedrals, fun technology and lots of slimy necromorphs to dismember at will -- is there anything else you could possibly want in Dead Space 2? Well, Gareth Garratt, a gamer living with cerebral palsy, would like to see customizable controls implemented in the game. Garratt is trying to play the horror sequel on PC, partly by pushing a mouse with his chin, and is unhappy that he can't assign the "walk forward" command to a mouse button. Plenty of games allow for customizable controls, he says, so why can't Dead Space 2? Over 20,000 fellow players agree, and they've signed an online Internet petition asking video game publishers to make sure that all games offer customization for their controls. Here's the good news: Dead Space 2 dev Visceral Games has already heard them loud and clear. Executive Producer Steve Papoutsis tells Joystiq that a patch for the PC version of the game enabling full control remapping is on the way, and that "a number of folks on our team are so passionate about getting this fix done that they are currently working hard" on it. Papoutsis says the patch will fix a few other issues with the PC version, and that a release date will be announced "when the patch is fully tested." You can read his remarks in full after the break.
Dead Space 2: Severed screenshots are Lexine-less
Don't get your hopes up, dear readers -- though EA recently uploaded a handful of screens for Dead Space 2's upcoming DLC expansion, Severed, none feature the scream-faced protagonist, Lexine Murdoch. They only show Gabe Weller, who is not known for his outrageous facial expressions.
Dead Space 2 holds off FIFA to stay atop UK charts
Dead Space 2 became 2011's first repeat #1 in weekly UK software sales last week, according to Chart-Track, as it beat out a resurgent FIFA 11 (which began the year at #1) to stay atop the charts in its second week at retail. The week's new releases failed to crack the top ten, however, as the latest Mario vs. Donkey Kong (DS) and Mario Sports Mix (Wii) debuted at #11 and #12, respectively. (The only other new entry to make the top 40 was The Sims 3: Outdoor Living Stuff expansion.) Back in the top ten, LittleBigPlanet 2 floated down two spots during the week to #5, while the surprising Art Academy (DS) stayed in attendance, graduating up to #8 (from #9 the previous week). What are the chances Just Dance 2 finally ran out of moves? Check out the complete top ten list after the break.
Get Dead Space 2 dead cheap today [Update: PS3 version back in stock]
Looking for a discount on spacefaring scares? Amazon is offering Dead Space 2 on Xbox 360 today for $39.99 (the PS3 version has already sold out is back for now!), and $39.95 on PC, allowing you to get a sensible cost-per-unit on "holy craps." The retailer is also offering the Collector's Edition for $59.95 -- what you'd normally pay for the standard edition. PS3 copies of this edition are still available, and include a free Move-compatible Dead Space Extraction (as all first-run PS3 copies do), boosting the pants-wetting/money ratio even further. This deal will expire at the end of the day or until Amazon runs out of copies, so if you're interested get it now or face the terrifying proposition that you'd have to pay more. That's the bad kind of scare.
Dog destroys Dead Space 2 disc, Visceral replaces with signed copy
There are lots of ways to get your favorite video game signed by the developers. You could win a contest, corner the developers at a conference and, of course, stalk them. Now, thanks to a Dead Space fan named Ashley, there's another method -- have your dog destroy the disc. Whilst playing her brand new copy of Dead Space 2, it seems Ashley's dog knocked over her Xbox 360, irreparably damaging the disc. Naturally, Ashley did what anyone would do in that situation: She shared her woes on Twitter. Visceral art director Ian Milham spotted her tweets, asked for her address and sent her the goodies seen above. Yes, that is a hand-drawn picture of Isaac Clarke scolding Ashley's dog next to a (very) signed copy of Dead Space 2. Truly, it's a heart-warming story about one of the most disgusting video games around -- and more tolerable as marketing than the "Your Mom Hates This" campaign. Now, if you'll excuse us, we have to go coat this Halo: Reach disc with peanut butter.
Dead Space 2 creative director denies satirizing Scientology
Unitology, the kind-of-creepy religion that appears in Dead Space and its sequel, is based on a science fiction story, has lots of money collected from members moving up through ranks and ends in "-tology" -- ring any bells? Yes, a lot of players are making comparisons to the real life Church of Scientology, which was incorporated by science fiction author L. Ron Hubbard and has gained a lot of press as a church for rich celebrities. But any comparisons are strictly coincidental, says Dead Space 2's creative director Wright Bagwell. Speaking to MTV Multiplayer, Bagwell says that the in-game church was "never really intended to be a jab at any particular religion." Instead, it's about "people's illogical thinking about things they don't understand." Even in our own world, technology has gotten incredibly complex in the last 30 years, and while much of humanity's superstition and myth was disproven by the Scientific Revolution, Bagwell says that science has brought the people in Dead Space 2 back around to ritual and faith. "In this complex, futuristic world, people are looking for ways to simplify their lives and put their faith in something that they don't have to think too much about." That, and the Church of Scientology is notoriously litigious.
Dead Space 2 devs reflect on improved 'smoke and mirrors'
Looking for something to remind you that the blood-curdling horror of Dead Space 2 isn't real? Might we suggest this behind-the-scenes video, in which the developers expose all the game's visual tricks? See -- just smoke and mirrors, that's all ...
Dead Space 2 outselling first game '2-to-1,' EA says
Despite an overwhelmingly positive critical reception, the first Dead Space was a launch dud when it hit retail in mid-October of 2008. Reporting on its life-to-date sales through that November, Gamasutra described it, along with fellow EA newcomer Mirror's Edge, as having "failed miserably" -- NPD data showed that Dead Space was below 500K unit sales more than a month after launch. The following February, EA would quietly confirm that the game had become a million-seller by the end of 2008. Fast-forward two Februaries later and EA is bringing back up that bleak launch, but this time in new light: "Dead Space 2 launched last week [...] outscoring the original Dead Space and outselling it two-to-one," the publisher trumpeted in its latest list of business highlights (without revealing specific figures). Putting the Dead Space 2 commercial launch in such stark terms sounds impressive, but in reality it's more like "a pretty good start" for a deserving sequel. So, EA, when are you gonna give Mirror's Edge its second chance?
Dead Space 2 engineers top entry on UK sales chart
Isaac Clarke's Necromorph nightmare is a dream for EA, as Dead Space 2 reached the top spot on the all formats UK sales chart last week. According to Chart-Track, launch sales of the intense sequel were up 70 percent from when Dead Space debuted at sixth in 2008. Sackboy took a 48 percent sales tumble, dropping LittleBigPlanet 2 into second, while FIFA 11 enjoyed the top-seated action in third. The peanut-butter-and-jelly goodness of stabbing and shooting round out the top five with Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood and Call of Duty: Black Ops in fourth and fifth, respectively. The week also saw the return of the original Just Dance into the top ten, meaning Ubisoft had the original and its sequel in the top ten just cha-cha-chinging away. Check out the top ten in UK sales after the break.
Dead Space 2's reward for finishing hardcore mode
If you finish Dead Space 2's hardcore mode, two things will happen: First, you'll earn our undying respect; second, you'll unlock a pretty hilarious yet incredibly deadly weapon, the hand cannon. Check it out in the video past the break!
Visceral: 'A lot of discussion' over live-action Dead Space film
Though there are plenty of jollies to be had from the uber-gory Dead Space Aftermath animated feature, we've got a powerful desire in our heart-of-hearts to lay eyes upon a live-action film set in the Dead Space universe. We're not the only ones. In a recent interview with BBC News, Visceral Games art director Ian Milham explained, "We would love to have a live action film and we've had a lot of discussion. But one of the reasons Dead Space still exists and is popular is because we've made sure to do everything right. So we're doing the same with the film, not just a cheap cash-in but to do something really worthwhile, so we'll see." We appreciate how much thought you're putting into this -- an unprecedented amount of thought, you might say -- though, really, we can't think of an easier game to adapt to film. Here's our simple plan for how we're gonna make this work: Give the rights to adapt the game over to the guys who make the Saw movies. Book two tickets on the 10 o' clock money train to Cashtown.
Joystiq Podcast 167 - NGP edition
It's a Dead Space kind of week with Dead Space 2 and its portable brother filling the gaming section. Hope you are still clamoring for some handheld talk because Sony's NGP steals the spotlight for a huge chunk of the show. What were they thinking? Don't be an insta-dummy, put down that Redbook and catch this week's Joystiq Podcast. Thanks to Alan Black for this photoshop of the boys bringing the scares. Get the podcast: [iTunes] Subscribe to the Joystiq Podcast in iTunes [Zune] Subscribe to the Joystiq Podcast directly in the Zune Marketplace [RSS] Add the Joystiq Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator [MP3] Download the MP3 directly Hosts: Justin McElroy (@justinmcelroy), Ludwig Kietzmann (@ludwigk) and Chris Grant (@chrisgrant) Producer: Jonathan Downin (@jonathandownin) Music: "Bassoforte" by Diego Stocco For fans: Joystiq Podcast Facebook group New to the show?: Listen to Episode Zero The Do It Line!: 1-(877)-JOYSTIQ See all of this week's links after the break.
Dead Space 2 Hazard, Martial Law and Supernova DLC packs available now
The odds are well-stacked against Isaac as he traverses the Necromorph-stuffed hallways of The Sprawl -- which, typically, is the way that real heroes like to do they business. If unassisted survival is proving too hard a task, you can now capitulate and download Dead Space 2's "Hazard," "Martial Law" and "Supernova" downloadable pack. They're available today, each adding a handful of powerful suits and weapons to Isaac's inventory for $5 a pop. Check out the full list of these items after the jump as you try to decide which one sounds like a thing you'd like to own. And don't even say all of them, because if you've got $15 to spend on virtual power tools, then we have some prime Florida swampland to sell you.
Metareview: Dead Space 2
Galactic handyman Isaac Clarke is back to cut the implements of death off Necromorphs before stomping on their heads. If you can keep your eyes open for the action-oriented horror, you'll have as good a time with the game as we did. But, we aren't the only voice in the interverse. Here's what others thought of the Visceral experience: Giant Bomb (5/5): "Just like its predecessor, Dead Space 2 doesn't do anything especially new, it just does everything exceedingly well." CVG (95/100): "Polished, sickening, satisfying and occasionally heart-testing, Dead Space 2 is undoubtedly the best horror adventure on Xbox 360 and PS3. It's the Resident Evil of this generation - and it'll leave you an emotional wreck." Eurogamer (90/100): "The linearity and reliance on set-piece shocks can often make Dead Space 2 feel like a multi-million dollar Ghost Train ride at a funfair. Overuse of 'mash-the-A-button-to-escape-the-monster' moments jars with the more distinguished mechanics elsewhere." IGN (90/100): "The shocking moments, the gruesome deaths, and the fun of playing through this experience again and again are what I took away from this one." Game Informer (90/100): "Dead Space 2 is a monster of a sequel, offering bigger scares and more excitement than I expected. I enjoyed Isaac as a silent protagonist in the original game, and I find I like him even more now that he's found his voice." Gamespot (85/100) "a campaign that simultaneously leaves you satisfied and eager for more, and intense multiplayer that gives you a great reason to keep coming back to this terrifying universe. Unless you're just plain chicken, this is a sci-fi horror adventure you definitely want to suit up for" %Gallery-114830%
