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| Two necromorphs advancing on the player in a service tunnel. |
Nathan McNeill and Gabriel Weller are detectives on assignment on the planet Aegis VII when a mysterious artifact that has been dug up starts to drive the planet’s residents insane and turn them into monsters. Along with two hangers on, Lexine Murdoch and Warren Eckhardt, McNeill and Weller attempt to escape to the space cruiser USG Ishimura in orbit above the planet, unaware that they are having similar problems.
The main Extraction game is ten levels long. One or two players control the guns of McNeill Weller as they walk along a predetermined path, shooting every monster (or necromorph) that appears before them before it can attack. The necromorphs are not particularly smart, the challenge comes from their large numbers, the massive amount of damage they can take, and the players’ aiming abilities. The necromorphs come in waves, when the players finish one wave they move further down the level. The necromorphs are practically invulnerable in their torsos, so the player has to shoot off their limbs to damage them.
The players have several types of weapons at their disposal. Their effectiveness at cutting off limbs varies. Each weapon comes with a basic attack and an alternate attack that is activated by turning the Wiimote sideways.
Except for the starting weapon, ammo is limited. The players have to pick more ammo that is lying around the levels. Since the detectives move on their own, the players have to grab the ammo quickly with the Wiimote before the camera moves out of the way. It provides a little extra challenge. There are also upgrades the players can pick up that increase their magazine count; this are usually in harder to reach areas.
There are some diversions from the shooting. In addition to parts that move the story along, there are times where the player will have to choose which direction to go. There are also panels that one of the players needs to hack by tracing the Wiimote along a narrow line, and hidden rooms that they can break into for more ammo or upgrades. Things like that give the players a reason to replay the game and find new stuff to do, though not too much.
There is also a challenge mode. In the challenge mode the players go through part of a level, and there is nothing to do except killing necromorphs, which there are a lot more of. Points are awarded for how well the players shoot the necromorphs, and the players can aim for the high score, but no other reward. So it is really more for people who want to challenge themselves. For some annoying reason necromorphs in this mode can get stuck behind columns and walls, making it impossible to finish the challenge.
The story is okay. It is a standard horror story, but the characters are likable so it is okay. People who played through Dead Space and are hoping to learn more about the initial outbreak on the Ishimura might be disappointed though, because this game takes place before and after the prologue for Dead Space.
The graphics are okay. Characters can look a little blocky, but it is not that noticeable.
The thing about on rail shooters is that they appeal to a limited market, especially the shooters that are not in arcades. They are usually short, and people who buy them have to be comfortable playing through the same areas repeatedly. But as far as rail shooters go Extraction is one of the best. It is pretty long for a rail shooter, being ten levels that take ten to twenty minutes to finish. There are plenty of enemies and weapons to make each play-through somewhat different. The only real problem is that the can feel slow at times, since a lot the monsters slowly shamble towards the camera, and explaining the story can take a while. But that is not a serious problem.
Dead Space: Extraction is a very fun rail shooter that uses the Wii’s abilities to great effect. This game should be fun for people who have played Dead Space and want to know more, and those who are just looking for a fun game.
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