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Dead Space for iPad

age 18+
(i)

 

Ultra-violent, gory horror game that's not for kids.
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What parents need to know

Ease of play

The game's controls are done quite well, making it easy to explore and travel through the game's many corridors. 

Violence

The app is filled with scenes of severe violence. To incapacitate enemies, players can stab, shoot, dismember them, and more. Blood and gore -- including human bodies and scattered limbs -- are commonplace, often pooled or strewn on the floor as you walk the halls. Among the many enemies are "Necromorphs" -- which look like babies.

Sex
Not applicable
Language

The game's use of offensive words is a little less prevalent than in the console game, but still freely uses terms like "bastards," "f--k," and "s--t."

Consumerism

A page featuring other apps by developer Electronic Arts is linked from the front page, and users can buy upgrades to their armor and weapons via an in-game store, with prices ranging from 99 cents to $4.99. Additionally, the app is meant as a promotional vehicle for the newly released Dead Space 2 game.

Drinking, drugs, & smoking
Not applicable

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Dead Space for iPad is a gory, horror-themed action game filled with blood, violence, and scary creatures that attack from the dark. It's a title that isn't meant for children or young teens. Enemy monsters -- that range from clawed predators to "Necromorphs," which look like babies -- savagely attack you regularly and can be stabbed, shot, or dismembered with a saw by the player. Innocent humans are often attacked and scream and moan as they die, leaving pools of blood on the floor. The language is also quite harsh, and there's plenty of commercialism, but it's the violence that parents will be most disturbed by. A version of the game is also available for the iPhone called Dead Space, which is exactly the same, but costs $3 less.

Is it any good?

QUALITY

DEAD SPACE FOR IPAD isn't a game for everybody -- and certainly isn't one for children -- but as a survival horror game, it's masterfully done. Rather than retelling a tale from an older game in the series (or cramming the plot of the just-released Dead Space 2, which this is meant to promote, into an app), this is a completely new adventure. The story is a fun ride for those who have the stomach for the gore -- well-paced and packed with jump-out-of-your-seat moments. The game is best played with headphones, instead of the iPhone or iPad's speaker, as they make it a much more immersive experience. Graphically, Dead Space is superb and it's one of the few iDevice titles that really feels like a console experience.

App details

Device:iPad
Price:$9.99
Release date:January 25, 2011
Category:Action Games
Publisher:Electronic Arts
Version:1.0.1
Minimum software requirements:OS 3.2

This review of Dead Space for iPad was written by

Chris Morris
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Adult Written byBushMan6 May 2, 2012
age 18+

Awesome game!

First off, this is a really good app for hard core gamers using iOS devices. Has plenty of gore and blood. Swearing is sometimes strong(see their review for which words are used.) However only 5 strong ones are heard through the game(I beat it on normal in 3 hours), but you can do a "New game+"(restating the campaign with all of you equipment) Then you will hear all of the words again. I said there is a positive role model, because the main character in the beginning really messes up, then does everything in their power to make it right. Evan if it means dying to fix it. This is one of a very few apps that fells like a console game while playing it.
What other families should know
Great role models
Too much violence
Too much swearing
Too much consumerism
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Teen, 13 years old Written byDarkArcher April 22, 2011
age 15+

For Daring Older Teens, but no-one younger

Wow, this game is amazing especially for it's platform. But besides the awesome controls, gameplay, and graphics. The creators went way over board with the violence, blood, gore, and horror. Bodies will start falling from empty slots in the celling, and fly across hallways leaving a trail of blood. The game is sure to startle you when Necocromes (the main enemy in the game) tackle onto you out of no where. When this happens you will be forced to saw their arm off or face death. Other creatures with jump on you out off no where making you have to rapidly tap the screen or shake your device. If you fail to finish the commands in time. The consequence will be having your neck ripped off, getting a claw through your throat, or having your head eaten off. Your teammates helping you get out of space alive swear like sailors and will sometimes freak you out when you hear them being mauled by aliens over your communication devices. Overall the game is really fun, will shock you, and get you pumped up as if your watching a scary movie.
What other families should know
Too much violence
Too much swearing
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Adult Written byjasonc506 January 30, 2011
age 15+
This is an incredible console experience. The gameplay is very easy to pick up and play. Though the game is quite violent I think it has been toned down a bit from the console versions. Language is infrequent but sometimes fairly strong. Overall great game that last around 5 hours.
What other families should know
Too much violence
Too much swearing
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