Dead Space:
Extraction

Dead Space: Extraction (2009) is a shooting game where you only control the aiming, like a light gun game. It's a spin-off prequel from the main Dead Space series and follows survivors of a mining colony as it is overrun by deadly monsters.

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Play involves killing alien enemies and solving spatial puzzles to keep you and your team safe. There are different interactive elements that use motion controls as well. Like the main game, the combat is gory and with a puzzle element as you use various weapons to sever the alien's limbs.

It stands out from other on-rails shooting games as Antony Johnston's script offers a strong story that sets the stage for the other games. This, along with an orchestral score, makes it surprisingly compelling as a narrative as well as a test of skill.

You play multiple characters as you navigate through the Aegis VII colony and the mining ship Ishimura from a first-person perspective. The story is split into ten chapters and told in real-time with cutscenes and voice work. At the end of each chapter, you are awarded a rating and can upgrade your abilities and weapons. As you progress you gain ten weapons each with alternative firing options. You can also use Stasis to slows objects for a short time, and Kinesis to pick up and throw or move objects.

Although older rated, it stands out because of the unusual combination of strong narrative and light-gun shooting challenge.

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Our examiner, Andy Robertson, first checked Dead Space: Extraction 2 years ago. It was re-examined by Jo Robertson and updated 19 months ago.