Unlimited Firepower: How to Get Infinite Ammo in Dead Space (and Related Secrets)
So, you’re facing down the horrors of the USG Ishimura, and your pulse is racing faster than a Necromorph on the hunt? Running low on ammo can turn a tense situation into a terrifying one in a heartbeat. The good news is that while a truly unlimited ammo option isn’t a standard feature in either the original Dead Space or the Dead Space Remake, there are ways to effectively gain infinite ammo and other advantages that will help you survive.
The core answer is this: there isn’t a direct “infinite ammo” toggle in the traditional sense for either game. However, the Hand Cannon, earned by beating the game on the hardest difficulty, has infinite ammo. Also, In the original Dead Space, there’s a clever workaround using a glitch and the Pulse Rifle. And in both games, New Game Plus unlocks further opportunities. Let’s delve deeper into each method and other secrets.
The Hand Cannon: A Comical, Yet Deadly, Solution
The Hand Cannon is your ticket to (practically) unlimited ammo in both the original and remake versions of Dead Space. However, there’s a catch:
- Dead Space 2: You must complete the game on Hard Core mode to unlock the Hand Cannon.
- Dead Space (2023) Remake: You need to beat the game on Impossible mode.
Impossible mode unlocks after you beat the game on any difficulty.
The Hand Cannon is a comically oversized red foam finger. Despite its appearance, it packs a serious punch. It has unlimited ammo and rapid-fire capabilities, turning you into a Necromorph-shredding machine. Using the Hand Cannon makes survival horror elements more easier as you can blast through bosses and enemies quickly.
Getting the Hand Cannon: Worth the Grind?
Yes, absolutely! While earning it requires completing the game on the most difficult setting, the Hand Cannon fundamentally changes the experience.
- Reduced Stress: No more scouring every corner for spare ammo. Focus on strategy, not resource management.
- Increased Fun: It’s inherently satisfying to obliterate Necromorphs with a ridiculous foam finger that’s surprisingly deadly.
- New Game Plus Powerhouse: Starting a New Game Plus run with the Hand Cannon allows you to experience the story from a position of almost unfair power.
The Original Dead Space Glitch: Temporary Top-Up
In the original Dead Space, there’s a glitch that can effectively give you a free refill of Pulse Rifle ammo. While not technically infinite, it’s a useful tactic when you’re in a pinch:
- When low or out of ammo, access a Workbench.
- Head into the Pulse Rifle upgrade menu.
- Spend one node on the capacity upgrade.
- Immediately quit out of the menu.
This will fully replenish the current clip of your Pulse Rifle, allowing you to fire more proximity mines. This can be repeated as needed, and you can find nodes throughout the Ishimura.
Why This Works (and Why it’s Not Always Ideal)
This glitch takes advantage of how the game handles ammo capacity upgrades. When you increase capacity, the game automatically refills your current magazine to match the new maximum. It’s a quick trick to avoid resource scarcity.
Cheat Codes (Original Dead Space Only)
The original Dead Space offered a series of cheat codes. These aren’t infinite ammo per se, but they help significantly with resources:
- X,X,Y,Y,Y: Refill Oxygen
- X,Y,Y,X,Y: Refill Stasis and Kinesis Energy
- YXYXXYXXYXXY: 5 Extra Nodes
- X(3), Y, X: 1,000 Credits
- Y, X(3), Y: 2 Nodes
- X(3), Y(2): 2,000 Credits
- X(3), Y, X, Y: 5,000 Credits
- X, Y(3), X(2), Y: Unknown Effect
Note: These cheats only work in the original Dead Space, not the Remake. The original game cheats are not infinite ammo, and only some are repeatable.
Strategic Cheat Code Usage
The most useful of these for resource management are the node and credit cheats. More nodes mean faster weapon and suit upgrades, increasing your effectiveness and reducing your reliance on ammo. More credits mean you can buy more ammo and supplies from the store.
New Game Plus: A Fresh Start with Enhanced Power
Both the original and remake versions of Dead Space offer a New Game Plus mode after you beat the game. New Game Plus lets you keep all your weapons, upgrades, and credits from your previous playthrough.
New Game Plus Advantages
- Early Access to Powerful Weapons: Start strong with fully upgraded weapons you earned in your previous playthrough.
- Economic Advantage: Having a stash of credits from the beginning lets you purchase ammo and other essentials without struggling.
- Experimentation: Try new weapon combinations and upgrade paths without the pressure of resource scarcity.
The Power of Upgrades
Regardless of whether you use the Hand Cannon, the Pulse Rifle glitch, or New Game Plus, upgrading your weapons is crucial. Focus on:
- Damage: Increases the amount of damage each shot does, reducing the number of shots needed to kill a Necromorph.
- Capacity: Increases the number of rounds in your magazine, allowing you to fire longer bursts.
- Reload Time: Speeds up reload times, minimizing downtime in combat.
- Special Upgrades: Some weapons have unique upgrades that can drastically improve their performance (e.g., the Plasma Cutter’s enhanced dismemberment).
Security Clearance System
The security clearance system is a new feature added to the Dead Space Remake. Players are now able to backtrack fully through the Ishimura, with certain areas remaining locked off until Isaac has the correct security clearance.
Final Thoughts: Mastering the Ishimura
While true “infinite ammo” is limited to the Hand Cannon after completing the game on the hardest difficulty, or a glitch in the original Dead Space, these methods and strategies can significantly ease your ammo woes and give you a considerable advantage against the Necromorph horde. Focus on smart weapon upgrades, strategic resource management, and mastering the game’s mechanics, and you’ll be well-equipped to survive the horrors of the Ishimura. And remember, sometimes the best weapon is a well-placed stasis shot and a swift escape! Consider exploring the Games Learning Society for more game-related educational insights. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org today!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further help you understand the best strategies for getting infinite ammo in Dead Space.
1. Are there any cheat codes for infinite ammo in the Dead Space Remake?
No, unlike the original Dead Space, the Dead Space Remake does not have cheat codes for infinite ammo or other resources. The primary method is using the Hand Cannon earned after beating Impossible mode.
2. How do I unlock Impossible mode in the Dead Space Remake?
Impossible Mode is unlocked after completing the game on any difficulty. The game recommends that you have played through the game on Hard or Medium first.
3. Is the Hand Cannon really worth the effort of beating Impossible mode?
Yes, the Hand Cannon has unlimited ammo and rapid-fire capabilities, making it a powerful, fun, and stress-reducing weapon that will help you blast through bosses and enemies quicker.
4. Can I still get the “One Gun” achievement in New Game Plus if I have the Hand Cannon?
Yes. You can still get the One Gun Achievement if you use only the Plasma Cutter on your new game +, even if you have the Hand Cannon in your inventory. However, if you use any other gun at all – even if you don’t shoot at or kill an enemy – it will screw up your Achievement.
5. What other bonuses do I get for completing the Dead Space Remake?
Completing the Dead Space Remake earns you a heap of nodes, some new text logs, and a large sum of credits. The Level 6 suit can only be accessed in New Game Plus and is found in the storefront for 99,000 credits.
6. Does difficulty affect what I keep in New Game Plus?
No, you keep all your weapons, upgrades, and credits regardless of the difficulty you played on your first run.
7. What’s the best weapon to upgrade early in Dead Space?
The Plasma Cutter is widely regarded as the best weapon to upgrade early on. It is highly effective and reliable. However, the Contact Beam has the potential to wreck Necromorphs, especially when fully upgraded.
8. Is the Force Gun worth using in the Dead Space remake?
The Force Gun really is a huge safety net, the same way stasis is. In terms of raw damage, it’s not quite as good as the Force Gun from Dead Space 2, but it’s still highly useful in tight situations.
9. Is the Pulse Rifle a good weapon to use throughout Dead Space?
The pulse rifle is good in the very early chapters but if you’re aiming for impossible difficulty, it is smarter to save your power nodes for the plasma cutter and your rig.
10. What is the level 6 suit in Dead Space?
The Level 6 Suit in Dead Space is located in the Ishimura’s Store near the end of Chapter 1 while playing on New Game Plus. It costs a huge 99,000 Credits, but it provides 30% damage reduction.
11. How do I unlock the alternate ending in the Dead Space Remake?
Dead Space Remake’s alternate ending requires the player to complete the game at least twice. Complete the game on any difficulty, then access New Game + (again, on any difficulty).
12. When is the “point of no return” in Dead Space?
The point of no return in Dead Space is when you head into the Hangar Bay and over to the shuttle, giving you a chance to go back and complete any lingering optional objectives before the grand finale.
13. What is the last weapon players get in the Dead Space Remake?
The last weapon that players can get in Dead Space is the Force Gun, which can often one-hit Necromorphs and works best whenever enemies are in close range.
14. What is the secret gun in Dead Space?
The Hand Cannon is an unlockable weapon in Dead Space 2 and in Dead Space (2023). It takes the shape of a comically large red foam sports hand that Isaac Clarke or Gabe Weller wear on their right hand.
15. What does the Dead Space Remake secret ending mean?
In the Alternate ending, Isaac Clarke is seen on the shuttle leaving Aegis VII but he is talking to Nicole and says how he is planning to build something for her. This is meant to reference Isaac helping in the creation of the Site 12 Marker from Dead Space 2.