It might have something to do with the excellent animated comic and Manga movie that preceded the games’ launch but Dead Space is without a doubt the most atmospheric and instantly immersive game this reviewer has ever played.

A lot of effort has been put into the graphics, lighting and the excellent sound effects which all add up to make this one of the scariest games ever made. This is no one trick pony however, careful consideration has obviously been put into the scares mixing up the jumpy moments with genuine tension, false alarms and a splattering of gore.

The action takes place on a drifting mining ship where the crew has been overrun by an alien force somehow related to a mysterious relic unearthed and brought onto the ship from the planet below. A shooter at heart, Dead Space sports the usual array of weapons and power-ups along with an upgradable space suit which allows you to do battle in several eerily silent zero gravity areas. Although the concept behind the game borrows from other media (Alien springs to mind) it does so brilliantly taking the best parts and blending them seamlessly into a haunting and exhilarating experience.

Those with a nervous disposition, weak heart or no spare pants need not apply.