There’s nothing better than an impactful horror game. Let alone one that engrosses audiences with a combination of terror and science fiction. The creative minds of Glen Schofield and Michael Condrey knew exactly how to execute and capture the essence of a sci-fi horror gaming experience. These two creators came together to make one of the most memorable video game franchises of our time: Dead Space.
With a highly-anticipated remake on the horizon, Dead Space has been on everyone’s mind recently. Playing this series is enthralling, and it’s not surprising that players crave similar games. Luckily, there are quite a lot of games like Dead Space. All of them offer the same thrilling atmosphere and aspects that we’ve come to know and love.
12/12 Cryostasis: Sleep Of Reason
Cryostasis: Sleep of Reason is a lost gem in the horror game community. Set in a claustrophobic environment, the game features freezing temperatures and haunting enemies. This is all in the hopes of challenging you. Sadly, finding a copy is uncommon since the game has become more obscure over the years.
Cryostasis shares similarities with Dead Space through navigating unknown horrors in an enclosed space. The mechanics also use futuristic tools to help you survive, such as manipulating another character’s mind. Encouraging you to stay alive by keeping yourself warm, the atmosphere of Cryostasis sends chills down your spine.
11/12 Alan Wake
The color scheme and intricate storyline of Alan Wake is reminiscent of Dead Space. Despite not being a sci-fi, this game encourages you to experience the protagonist’s impending nightmares.
Following a man who only desires to write and find his missing wife, everything slowly unravels throughout the game. Garnering a cult following, Alan Wake is a classic in psychological thrillers. It is described as taking place in the mind of a thriller film. Not to mention the cinematic action. Overall, the narration and odd characters can forever cement this game in your mind.
10/12 The Callisto Protocol
Directed by Glen Schofield, it’s no surprise that The Callisto Protocol is absolutely similar to Dead Space. For a game that was the talk of the town (before and after release), exciting elements were brought to the table. Created as a next-generation and story-driven game, The Callisto Protocol utilizes a distant and galactic atmosphere.
However, its mixed reviews deterred some players away. However, there’s no doubt that this game is still worth playing. Capturing the essence of Dead Space, the enemies, and the eerie environment in The Callisto Protocol shows that it deserved more.
9/12 System Shock 2
System Shock 2 can be considered the cyberpunk version of Dead Space. Released in 1999, years before Dead Space, it’s likely that the creators took inspiration from this game. Throughout System Shock 2, you’ll encounter multiple aspects that encourage you to be the hero in the story.
Crew members transform into monsters, and communication is only through the radio. You also have weak resources and scarce weapons, forcing you to depend on your intuition to survive. Gaining critical acclaim and being one of the most innovative games out there, System Shock 2 takes the cake for feeling thematically connected to Dead Space.
8/12 Doom 3
This innovative take on the Doom series transformed the franchise into being one-of-a-kind. Despite not feeling like a traditional Doom game, Doom 3 was rightfully put on a pedestal. In a world of advanced experimentation and technology, you aren’t exactly the strongest. However, you still have excellent survival skills.
Doom 3 is a reboot of the Doom series. It has little to no relation to previous games in the series. This was an attempt to try something new. And the developers certainly went the distance. Playing as a space marine fighting through a base to protect Earth, Doom 3 gives unforgiving gameplay.
7/12 The Evil Within
Directed by Resident Evil series creator, Shinji Mikami, the first The Evil Within was a hidden gem. Despite having a few technical issues, the story and mechanics overshadow any negatives. Filled with nightmare-fueled locations and creatures, it’s all enough to keep you in a constant state of fight or flight.
Pulling you through a world full of horrifying creatures, you must use stealth and weapons to succeed. Going with your gut feeling easily guides you throughout this game. Beginning with an investigation of a mass murder, the story makes The Evil Within endlessly interactive.
6/12 Prey
Arkane’s take on a haunting sci-fi was an FPS that amazed many. With frightening enemies and a chilling galaxy setting, this game truly had it all. Prey is a highly-underrated video game. Even on the lowest difficulty, it’s also considered one of the hardest FPS games.
Knowing how to play Prey is the key to success. Story-wise, this game takes you on a whirlwind of an adventure. Plot twists and all. You may know what to expect when you first play. But, as you enter further into its darkest depths, you realize that there’s more than meets the eye.
5/12 SOMA
The creators of Amnesia: The Dark Descent graced audiences with SOMA. Everything takes place in an underwater facility full of human-like machinery. Throughout the environment, you’ll encounter creatures resembling the game’s overarching theme. SOMA’s main focus is emphasizing immersion and puzzle-solving.
SOMA dives into concepts of identity and what it means to be human. It questions our ways of thinking, all while we try to combat the monsters that await us. Because of the game’s haunting atmosphere, the gameplay makes you anticipate what’s to come. With its existential horror, SOMA is just what any Dead Space fan needs to experience for themselves.
4/12 Control
Inspired by the stories of the SCP Foundation, Control takes god-like powers and the paranormal to a whole new level. The story revolves around a government agency that strives to study and contain phenomena that could plague the laws of reality.
The combat in Control feels experimental and hard to navigate at times. The puzzles are also more complex than expected. However, these challenges make the game magnificent. More or so, Control pushes you to go beyond any comfortable limits. Just like the protagonist, your capabilities in this story go way further than you’d think.
3/12 Alien: Isolation
If you’re familiar with the Alien franchise, there’s no doubt you’d consider Alien: Isolation to be in the same realm as Dead Space. This game keeps us on our toes with a story set in a distant galactic universe. Based on the Alien film series, Alien: Isolation takes place fifteen years after the original film’s events.
In a world emphasized by loneliness, you must survive horrifying enemies throughout the station. Originally supposed to be a third-person game, the decision to go with a first-person perspective made Alien: Isolation a memorable addition to the sci-fi horror video game community.
2/12 BioShock
The beloved BioShock franchise holds a rightful spot in the FPS hall of fame. However, the first game is where everything truly started. The story centers around a dystopian environment under the darkest parts of the sea. Throughout BioShock, you’ll combat frightening enemies and uncover thrilling lore.
There was nothing like BioShock before its release. Providing utmost innovation, it showcased that video games could be an art form. It’s also known as a considerable spiritual successor to System Shock. Even though it isn’t known as a horror game, there’s no doubt its nightmarish elements live inside our brains.
1/12 Resident Evil 4
If any video game resembles Dead Space perfectly, it’s Resident Evil 4. Dead Space is essentially Resident Evil 4 in space. By simply playing the game, it’s clear that the creators of the space-centric horror took heavy inspiration from Resident Evil 4.
Tagging along on Leon Kennedy’s journey as he tries to find the President’s daughter is an experience none of us could ever forget. Incorporating unique elements, there isn’t a day that goes by where players would forget how much the fourth addition to the Resident Evil series changed the franchise forever.
