How Fast Can You Beat the Dead Space Remake? A Necromorph-Slaying Speedrun Guide

Alright, space cadets and prospective planet crackers! You’re wondering how quickly you can blast through the gruesome, gorgeously remade Dead Space. The answer, as with any game featuring limb dismemberment and strategically placed jump scares, is: it depends. But let’s break down the speed and how you can achieve it.

A skilled player, familiar with the original game and adept at exploiting the remake’s mechanics, can realistically complete a speedrun of the Dead Space remake in around 4-5 hours. That’s shaving off a solid chunk of time compared to a casual first playthrough, which generally clocks in at 12-15 hours. This speedrun time factors in knowing the map layouts, optimal weapon upgrade paths, and exploiting any glitches or shortcuts the community discovers. For your first time through, expect a lengthier experience, savoring (or enduring) the atmosphere.

Optimizing Your Ishimura Run: Tips for Speed

Several factors influence your completion time. Let’s dissect them:

• Difficulty Level: The difficulty you select drastically alters combat intensity. Lower difficulties mean faster enemy takedowns and less resource consumption. Casual difficulty is the obvious choice for speedrunning.
• Knowledge is Power: A solid understanding of the USG Ishimura’s layout is paramount. Knowing where to go, where enemies spawn, and where key items are located eliminates wasted time. Memory from the original game helps immensely, but the remake has subtle changes.
• Weapon Choice and Upgrades: Focus on a small set of powerful weapons. The Plasma Cutter remains a reliable starting weapon, and upgrading it early provides significant damage output. Consider supplementing it with the Line Gun for crowd control and the Force Gun for stasis-assisted dismemberment.
• Strategic Stasis Use: Stasis is your best friend. Slowing down Necromorphs allows for precise aiming and conserves ammo. Master its use, especially against faster enemies like Slashers and Lurkers.
• Resource Management: Ammo is precious. Practice limb dismemberment to maximize damage and conserve rounds. Avoid unnecessary engagements and prioritize strategic retreats if overwhelmed.
• Skipping Non-Essential Content: This is a speedrun, not a sightseeing tour. Skip optional areas, side quests (unless they unlock vital upgrades), and non-essential conversations. Focus solely on the critical path.
• Exploiting Glitches and Shortcuts: The speedrunning community thrives on discovering exploits. Keep an eye on websites and forums for new techniques that can shave valuable seconds (or even minutes) off your run.
• Suit Upgrades: Prioritize suit upgrades that increase inventory space and armor. More inventory means fewer trips to storage, and better armor allows you to withstand more damage.
• New Game Plus: A New Game Plus run is generally faster, as you retain your upgraded weapons and suit from your previous playthrough. This significantly reduces the early-game difficulty and allows you to blast through sections quickly.

The Allure of Speed: Why Speedrun Dead Space?

Beyond bragging rights, speedrunning Dead Space offers a unique perspective on the game. It forces you to analyze the game’s systems deeply, optimize your strategies, and develop a level of mastery that casual players rarely achieve. It also connects you with a passionate community of players who are constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. You can also learn a lot about game design. Organizations like the Games Learning Society, at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/, actively explore how games can be used for educational purposes, and speedrunning provides valuable insights into game mechanics and player strategies.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some common questions about speedrunning the Dead Space remake:

1. What difficulty should I play on for a speedrun?

   • Casual difficulty is recommended for the fastest completion time, due to reduced enemy health and damage.

2. Is it possible to beat the game in under 3 hours?

   • While extremely challenging, a sub-3-hour run is theoretically possible with optimized routing, glitch exploitation, and near-perfect execution.

3. Which weapons are best for a speedrun?

   • The Plasma Cutter, Line Gun, and Force Gun are commonly used for their versatility and effectiveness against various Necromorph types.

4. Should I bother with side quests on a speedrun?

   • Generally no, unless a side quest unlocks a crucial upgrade or weapon that significantly improves your run time.

5. What suit upgrades should I prioritize?

   • Inventory space and armor upgrades are essential for a faster, more efficient run.

6. Is New Game Plus faster than a fresh start?

   • Yes, New Game Plus allows you to carry over your upgraded weapons and suit, making the early game significantly easier and faster.

7. Are there any known glitches that can speed up the game?

   • The speedrunning community is constantly discovering new glitches. Keep an eye on forums and websites dedicated to Dead Space speedrunning for the latest findings.

8. How important is stasis for a speedrun?

   • Stasis is crucial. Mastering its use allows you to control enemy movement, conserve ammo, and avoid taking damage.

9. What is the best way to deal with the Hunter?

   • The Hunter is often a bottleneck in speedruns. Learn the optimal strategies for each encounter, including using cryo damage and exploiting environmental hazards.

10. How much does knowledge of the original game help?

    • Knowledge of the original game is extremely beneficial, as the map layouts and enemy encounters are largely similar. However, be aware of the subtle changes made in the remake.

11. Should I collect every resource I find?

    • No. Focus on collecting resources that are essential for upgrading your preferred weapons and suit. Avoid unnecessary detours for minor pickups.

12. What is the most efficient way to kill a Brute?

    • Focus on dismembering the Brute’s limbs, particularly its arms. Stasis can also be used to slow it down and create opportunities for attack.

13. Are there any achievements that are particularly difficult to get on a speedrun?

    • Some achievements that require specific actions or challenges may be difficult to obtain during a speedrun. Focus on speed first, and then attempt those achievements on a separate playthrough.

14. How can I find resources for the Dead Space remake?

    • A good place to find resources for the Dead Space remake is the subreddit for the game, as well as dedicated gaming websites and forums.

15. Is there a Dead Space remake speedrunning community?

    • Yes, there is a dedicated Dead Space remake speedrunning community. You can find them on platforms like Speedrun.com, YouTube, and Twitch.

So, there you have it. A comprehensive guide to speedrunning the Dead Space remake. Now, suit up, load your Plasma Cutter, and get ready to slice and dice your way through the Ishimura in record time! Good luck, and may your RIG hold strong!