Like the original game, it is set on the USG Ishimura, a mining spaceship overrun by deadly monsters known as Necromorphs following the discovery of an artifact called the Marker.

The game also takes advantage of the newer consoles' solid-state drive systems to create a seamless experience between levels without any loading screens.

In addition, previous voice lines and conversations remade for the game were adjusted to include Isaac, allowing him to engage, argue, and bond with the other characters.

The remake also improves on the "zero gravity" element of the original, providing Isaac with thrusters to freely move across designated areas of the Ishimura.

Weapon parts add on different upgrades, such as increased magazine size or better area-of-effect[2] The USG Ishimura is featured as a singular environment that can be freely explored without impacting the main story.

Divided into six sections (Engineering/Mining, Hydroponics, Flight Deck/Hangar, Medical, Crew Quarters, and Bridge), players can unlock different areas of the Ishimura by proceeding through the main story.

[citation needed] Set in the 26th century, the story follows starship engineer Isaac Clarke and the crew of the repair vessel Kellion, assigned to the USG Ishimura, a massive planetary mining ship operated by the Concordance Extraction Corporation (CEC) that has gone silent above the planet Aegis VII.

The other members of the crew are Kendra Daniels, a private contractor specializing in computer systems, CEC security chief Lt. Zach Hammond, his right-hand man Cpl.

[3] While investigating a distress call, the crew of the Kellion are attacked by Necromorphs, creatures made from mutated human corpses, and separated.

Along the way, he encounters several survivors, including his girlfriend, Senior Medical Officer Dr. Nicole Brennan, horticulturalist and Hydroponics Director Dr. Elizabeth Cross, Cross's boyfriend and Acting Chief Engineer Jacob Temple, Chief Science Officer Terrence Kyne, and his colleague, Special Researcher Dr. Challus Mercer.

The Marker was buried on Aegis VII when it proved too dangerous to control, but the Ishimura—engaged in illegal mining—revealed its presence, resulting in the Valor being sent to scrub the discovery.

In an alternate ending achieved through the New Game Plus mode, Isaac discusses "building something new" with his hallucination of Nicole, having covered the shuttle's interior with the Marker's language.

The developers intended to take advantage of SSDs on the ninth generation of consoles to have the game be presented as an "uninterrupted sequence shot", absent of loading screens.

The other cast members include Anthony Alabi as Zach Hammond, Brigitte Kali Canales as Kendra Daniels, and Faran Tahir as Challus Mercer.

[24] Dead Space was announced at EA's Play Live event on July 22, 2021, accompanied by a teaser trailer, with an initial target release date of late 2022.

[33][34][35] IGN praised Motive Studio for rejuvenating the original game's setting "with its stunningly redesigned spaceship, smartly and subtly enhanced story, and spectacularly re-imagined action scenes".

[45] The Guardian described it as a streamlined version of Dead Space, making it flow more smoothly and "embrac[ing] the original's taut pacing and powerful forward-momentum.

[57] Polygon praised the new audio system added to the game, "The sounds of the Ishimura are richly layered - the din of machinery and otherworldly screams are a constant amplifier of fear.

[59] GameSpot felt that the remake had made only marginal improvements on the 2008 version, but still praised it as "the quintessential way to play one of the survival horror genre's best.

"[42] The Verge liked the updates to the story and Isaac's newly voiced dialogue, writing "Wright imbues the character with an endearing charm that makes him fun not only to protect but also to be around".

[60] PC Gamer praised the game for expanding on the original narrative with much more detail, which led them to hope that this effort could be channeled into a legitimate sequel.

[47] Glen Schofield, the creator of 2008's Dead Space, voiced his approval for the remake and praised EA Motive's "faithful" recreation of the original.