Dead Space was a decent horror shooter that was released last year on all platforms except the Wii, which, like so many other times, was simply underpowered to run a port of the game. However, EA has been working on a Wii version that is substantially different, not just with toned-down graphics, but a game build up from scratch. Now, Wii owners get to experience some space shooter horror.

Dead Space Extraction is an on-rails shooter, and while that doesn’t sound intriguing at first, it’s done in such way that it works rather well, the horror elements are still there, and the feel of the original Dead Space is very much present. Extraction uses a lot more storytelling and narration than the original game, acting as its prequel, and tells the story of what really happened before help arrived and the original Dead Space began.

The game is an on-rails FPS the entire time during the 10 missions, and the action (and horror) is frequently interrupted by cut scenes, which are done formidably and move the story forward — even though you know how it’s all going to end (if you played the original Dead Space, that is). However, being an on-rails shooter, it means that you cannot explore nor even look around during the missions (or the cut scenes, for that matter), and you can’t decide when to run or walk, how to approach a corner etc. All this removes a lot of the horror elements found in the original Dead Space, however, the game’s storytelling does make up for some of it.

Despite the on-rails drawbacks, the combat is pretty good and the weapon selection is formidable, offering plenty of different guns, each with primary and secondary firing modes. The combat is very bloody and gory, just like you’d expect from a Dead Space game. 

The campaign, which will take you some 8 hours to complete, is fairly challenging, although a bit easier than the original Dead Space. If you’re looking for more challenge, there’s the “Challenge Mode”, which pits you against a ton of enemies, and where you get a score in the end, placing you on a leaderboard. However, like many other Wii games, there’s no online leaderboards, which, again, is disappointing, as with any other Wii game. However, there is co-op, which is always exciting when it comes to on-rails shooters, where you can blast enemies on the screen with a friend.

Technically, judging by Wii standards, the game looks great, almost up to Metroid Prime Corruption standards, which makes it one of the best looking Wii games out there. The audio is just as great, the voice acting in particular adds to the realism of the great story. However, as pointed our earlier, it suffers from the same drawbacks as other on-rails shooters, and doesn’t try to rectify any of it, nor does the game try to technically innovate in the area. Furthermore, aiming is made difficult with the camera being all over the place at times. However, despite the drawbacks, Dead Space Extraction is one of the best on-rails shooters available today, and one of the best Wii games you can get the holiday season.

The Good:
Great story
Good action
Tons of weapons

The Bad:
On-rails style may not appear to everyone.
Clumsy camera at times
No online capabilities

Overall score: 8/10