Easy Guide to Play the Dead Space Series in Order – What to play first? 

The Dead Space Remake, developed by Motive Studios and published by EA, is one of the most anticipated games of 2023. As one of the best sci-fi horror game gets a full-blown remake, new players might want to start the series.  

The remake launches on January 27, 2023, which means there’s plenty of time to catch up with the series. Dead Space Remake retains the basic structure and plot of the original 2008 game but uses the power of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X to enhance it.  

The Dead Space series spans across three main games, and three spin-off games. Take a look at all the games in the Dead Space series in their chronological and release order.  

1. The Chronological Order to Play the Dead Space Series

Easy Guide to Play the Dead Space Series in Order - What to play first?
Dead Space 2 (2011) 

The chronological order requires you to start the Dead Space series with one of its spin-off titles, Dead Space: Extraction. The events of this game take place before Dead Space (2008), making it a prequel.  

If you want to play the Dead Space series in its chronological order, then follow the list below: 

  • Dead Space: Extraction (2009)  
  • Dead Space (2008) / Dead Space Remake (2023)  
  • Dead Space 2 (2011)  
  • Dead Space: Ignition (2010)  
  • Dead Space 3 (2013)  

Dead Space: Ignition is more of a puzzle game rather than an action game. If you want to skip the Dead Space spin-off games, go ahead. Even though Dead Space: Extraction serves as a prequel to Dead Space (2008), you can absolutely understand the story through the series without playing any of the spin-off games.  

2. The Release Order to Play the Dead Space Series

Easy Guide to Play the Dead Space Series in Order - What to play first?
Dead Space 3 (2013)

The release order won’t include any spin-off games as it is not important to the story of Dead Space. To understand the plot of Dead Space, you need to play the three main games of the series.  

To play through the Dead Series in its release order, follow the list below: 

  • Dead Space (2008) / Dead Space Remake (2023)  
  • Dead Space 2 (2011)  
  • Dead Space 3 (2013)  

The list does not include any spin-offs as you’ll be better off playing through the three main Dead Space games. It’s worth noting that both the chronological and the release order, do not contain the mobile game Dead Space which was released back in 2011. 

Even though the Dead Space mobile game succeeded in bringing an authentic Dead Space experience to mobiles, it was pulled from the App Store and Play Store, making it completely unavailable. Hence, it is not mentioned in any of the lists.  

3. Which Dead Space game should you play first?  

Easy Guide to Play the Dead Space Series in Order - What to play first?
Dead Space (2008)

The original Dead Space (2008) is the perfect place to start the Dead Space series. Dead Space (2008) marks the beginning of the Dead Space franchise which makes it an absolute must-play for newcomers and long-time fans of the franchise alike.  

Playing the first game will help you understand the lore more and give you valuable insight into the world of Dead Space. Skipping this might create confusion later on in the series so it is recommended that you play this before playing the successive Dead Space titles.  

4. Can you play Dead Space (2023) instead of Dead Space (2008)?  

Easy Guide to Play the Dead Space Series in Order - What to play first?
Dead Space (2023)

You can substitute the original Dead Space (2008) with the upcoming remake of the original game, Dead Space (2023). The remake retains the basic structure and story of the first game while using the power of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X to enhance it much more.  

Developed by Motive Studios and published by EA, the classic sci-fi horror returns, completely rebuilt from the ground up. Even though it is a remake of the original 2008 game, Dead Space (2023) will follow the same story as the original, which makes it possible for players to play a modern and rebuilt version of the first game.  

5. Do you need to play the Dead Space series in order?  

Easy Guide to Play the Dead Space Series in Order - What to play first?
Necromorphs – Dead Space (2023)

It is always advised to play Dead Space (2008) before playing any of the other Dead Space titles. However, if you want to skip the original Dead Space and start with Dead Space 2 or Dead Space 3, you can, given that you understand the important elements from the previous Dead Space title.  

The Dead Space title that you can skip during your playthrough is Dead Space 3. While it is the latest game in the Dead Space series, it is certainly not an enjoyable one. Filled with microtransactions and unable to retain the charm of the first two Dead Space titles, players term it as the “worst Dead Space game”. 

It is also possible that you want to skip the original Dead Space (2008) due to it being an older Dead Space title. The solution to this problem would be to substitute the original with the Dead Space remake launching on January 27, 2023. It is a full-blown remake of the original Dead Space, built from the ground up for next-generation consoles.  

6. Which is the scariest Dead Space game?  

Easy Guide to Play the Dead Space Series in Order - What to play first?
USG Ishimura – Dead Space (2008)

The answer to this is Dead Space (2008) as well. The game does an incredible job of introducing the horrors of the Dead Space universe. You take control as Isaac Clarke, an engineer for the USG Ishimura, a massive deep-space mining ship on the verge of discovering a strange artifact on a distant planet.  

Dead Space (2008)’s tagline “There’s no help coming” does justice to the tone of the game. Alone and stranded on the giant spaceship invaded by Necromorphs, Isaac embarks on a repair mission to put an end to the nightmare. The claustrophobic feeling of being stranded in a spaceship, far away from planet Earth, and infected by an alien scourge is what makes Dead Space (2008) so terrifying.  

7. Why was Dead Space 3 disliked by players?  

Easy Guide to Play the Dead Space Series in Order - What to play first?
Isaac Clarke – Dead Space 3 (2013)

What made fans of the Dead Space series dislike the third game was how far it deviated from the series’ original identity. The horror thematic elements of the first two Dead Space games were dropped for a more “run-and-gun” action-oriented feel, which didn’t sit right with the players.  

Dead Space 3 (2013) peaked high in sales charts but players were disappointed with it. The inclusion of microtransactions to unlock armor and powerful weapons made players dislike the series more as it failed to retain the charm of the first two Dead Space games. Dead Space 3 is often termed as a “good game but not a good Dead Space game”. 

8. Will there be a Dead Space 4?  

Easy Guide to Play the Dead Space Series in Order - What to play first?
Zero Gravity – Dead Space (2023)

Unfortunately, after the failure of Dead Space 3, Visceral Studios (developers behind the original Dead Space series) moved on to other projects and was later shut down by EA. The next game in the Dead Space franchise is a remake of the original 2008 game, Dead Space that is set to launch on January 27, 2023. 

If the Dead Space Remake (2023) sells well, then there might be a possibility of Dead Space 4 being developed in the future. For now, players would want to get their hands on the remake coming to PlayStation, Xbox Series X, and PC as well.  

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9. About Dead Space Remake

6Dead Space Remake is the next-gen remake of the 2008 sci-fi action horror franchise developed by Visceral Games and published by Electronic Arts. The Remake is being handled by EA Motive and is set to feature various upgrades to the visuals, sound, and gameplay.

Dead Space follows the story of Isaac Clarke, an engineer on board an intergalactic mining ship called the USSG Ishimura. On discovering an ancient artifact known as The Marker, the ship is overrun by a species of aliens called Necromorphs. With the aliens turning the crew into one of their own, Isaac must fight through the hordes as he tries to find a way to get back to Earth.

The gameplay is reminiscent of the Resident Evil franchise, with inventory management being a key component. Players have access to a variety of mining tools that become weapons and must navigate the claustrophobic corridors of the Ishimura while fighting off the Necromorphs.

Vansh Gulati

Vansh Gulati

Meet our very own Hinata Shoyo! - There is no anime or manga that he’s not aware of. Also the go-to guy for all things Epic at EML. He’s on a journey to discover life one bottle of sake at a time!
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