Visceral "nerfed" tough Dead Space 2 levels

By Fred Dutton Published 9 January, 2012

Initial concepts "harder, longer, more complicated".

Dead Space 2 developer Visceral Games toned down a number of the title's stages when playtesters struggled to progress through the game, according to one of its developers.

Speaking in a Q&A on EA's own site, as spotted by OXM, combat and control designer Brian Bartram suggested that early concepts for last year's survival horror sequel asked much more from the player than in the finished game.

"Oh, definitely. You should have seen some of the levels and puzzles in Dead Space 2," he said.

"Some players would love for us to have kept them harder, longer and more complicated. But when two or three people in a ten person playtesting session just can't get past it, we have to 'nerf' it. But that's just a playtesting example."

Bartram went on to explain that AAA game development is frequently a "benevolent struggle" between design and production.

"Design wants a giant game with all kinds of cool stuff in it. Production wants a game that will actually ship. When they compromise, things have to be cut away, reduced, and scoped down. But this process should ideally distill a game to its core - the real foundation of a game.

"For game mechanics, these become the known 'pillars' of the game - the three to five mechanics that will be used frequently and which are often mixed together to form the bulk of the game's experience."

Dead Space 3 is rumoured to currently be in development, with reports suggesting the game, or a significant portion of it, will be set on an ice planet.

Picture of Fred.

About Fred Dutton

Fred Dutton is Eurogamer's US news editor, based in Washington DC.

Read more articles from Fred by visiting the Fred Dutton archive page.

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Comments (57) Latest comment 5 months ago

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  • Cowbomb #1 5 months ago

    Shame they didn't nerf that bloody last chapter.

  • Smerdyakov #2 5 months ago

    Hmph. I do hope the critical and commercial success of Dark Souls will result in more developers willing to make games with levels and puzzles that "two or three people in a ten person playtesting session just can't get past".

  • menage #3 5 months ago

    Well, stating the obvious so it seems.

    I recently blasted through my second playthrough, loved almost every minute (except the freaking unkillable enemy in the end). Great game.

  • Eraysor #4 5 months ago

    I'm definitely going for Hard mode on my first run of DS3, I definitely had too much ammo by the end!

    Rather than easier/harder they should concentrate on making it scarier!

  • andy10 #5 5 months ago

    I still found some of the later sections of Dead Space 2 to be pretty brutal and punishing, generally through the cheap tactics of spamming you with millions of enemies.

    There was one point towards the end where I'd managed to save my game with almost zero health and no shops/health packs in sight, and genuinely thought I'd have to start the game all the way over from scratch.

  • Liquidoodle #6 5 months ago

    Currently playing through Hardcore, I'm on disc 2 with one save used... nerfing you say? lol

  • DurzoBlint #7 5 months ago

    One of the things that was really cool about PS1 Spider-Man was the way the harder, longer and more complicated levels were what you got if you played on Hard, and the more basic stuff was relegated to lower difficulties. Shame games don't seem to do that any more, going for changing HP and damage values instead.

  • ollyn #8 5 months ago

    If they have made the levels well enough for them to be tested why not just keep the levels there and add them into the Hard Corp difficulty.

  • -cerberus- #9 5 months ago

    @Cowbomb: Agreed. The last two or three chapter consisted of throwing as many waves of enemies possible at the player.

  • Spuzzell #10 5 months ago

    The final boss was one of the worst "just stand still and press A to win" examples I've ever played, this could actually explain why.

  • spekkeh #11 5 months ago

    Well even now I found the game to be too exhausting. Admittedly that had more to do with the fact that there were enemy encounters in every room you walked through. I wish there would've been more exploring and a more gradual buildup of horror, instead of this constant in your face stuff. I stopped playing about two thirds in because I felt like I was progressing too slowly and for all the scares it got a bit boring frankly. I've been meaning to get back to it, because the production values are just so high, but it's been a year now and I don't know the controls anymore. Does anyone know whether you can change the difficulty setting to easy halfway in?

  • Coughthulu #12 5 months ago

    @Smerdyakov
    I'd dispute that that's the case with Dark Souls. If you learn the subtle tells and take it measured and carefully, any death is pretty much your own fault.

    I've played plenty of other games where, because the gameplay is linear, you've checkpointed, have virtually no health left, and the game simply spams so many enemies at you getting through is pure luck and no skill. You're stuffed, there's no way to rectify that situation (especially with games that only offer a single autosave system).

    With Demon/Dark Souls, at least if you die, you have the potential to redeem that situation again, you're not going to get to the point where 2/3 people simply can't continue, because they have the ability to try again. You can wander off and do something else, then come back to the point you had trouble with later.

    I can see why they had to nerf some of DS2. In the same situation, if you have a section where someone can't get past a particular point, you may as well throw the game away. Who wants to pay 35 quid for a game where they get a third of the way in, then can't play anymore?

    I like the fact they added Hardcore mode. If you want to have a challenge, that's there for you. It doesn't ruin the rest of the game for you.
    Edited by Coughthulu at 09/01/12 @ 18:20

  • Triggerhappytel #13 5 months ago

    I found Dead Space 2 much harder than its predecessor; mainly due to the sheer number of enemies and always feeling like I had hardly any ammo. I've lost my save data now due to an HDD crash, but when I get back to it I was intending to start over on the easiest setting.

  • cowell #14 5 months ago

    Overall, I thought they had the normal difficulty just about right. The last chapter was a bit of an arse but thankfully I was running 4 save games on rotation allowing me to change tack a little. Certainly the main part of the level was very tough. The final boss seemed impossible initially until I took guidance and it was actually fairly standard.

    If 25% of testers were failing this uber version, I expect 50%+ of consumers would have failed too. For the long term and broad commercial appeal of the series they need to keep it at a level where most can make good progress.

    I'm glad games like Dark Souls exist but their appeal is that they are unusual and in the minority.

  • cowell #15 5 months ago

    Overall, I thought they had the normal difficulty just about right. The last chapter was a bit of an arse but thankfully I was running 4 save games on rotation allowing me to change tack a little. Certainly the main part of the level was very tough. The final boss seemed impossible initially until I took guidance and it was actually fairly standard.

    If 25% of testers were failing this uber version, I expect 50%+ of consumers would have failed too. For the long term and broad commercial appeal of the series they need to keep it at a level where most can make good progress.

    I'm glad games like Dark Souls exist but their appeal is that they are unusual and in the minority.

  • Code_R #16 5 months ago

    I did notice at the time the puzzles were noticably weaker, I never thought it was a conscious decision though (things like the solar array and those magnetic rocket pods are far too simplistic) Still mananged to include enough of that sci-fi horror edge, but I still like the first one more.

  • NeonStorm #17 5 months ago

    Great game, it's just a shame that my strongest memory of it was that frustrating last chapter. Well, that and a certain little injection...

  • Lunatic4ever #18 5 months ago

    @Liquidoodle

    good god, I can't tell you how much I hate people like you

  • mr2ange #19 5 months ago

    Started DS2 on hard and fuck me it really was towards the end... annoyingly so.

    Think i'll go normal next time (atleast for starters)

    -Edit, On a side note, the Stalker enemies were fucking awesome. one of the most compelling creatures to fight for a long time in a game.
    Edited by mr2ange at 09/01/12 @ 19:34

  • JayScott #20 5 months ago

    @Liquidoodle

    You're so hardcore man. I would a signed photo of you.

  • TrevHead #21 5 months ago

    I liked DS1 but havent gotten around to buying DS2, but all these comments about its harder difficulty makes me want to play it.

    Instead of cutting out difficult sections why cant they just keep it exclusive to hard mode or NG+

    Even better devs should create special hardcore content and sell it as fully fledged DLC.
    Edited by TrevHead at 09/01/12 @ 19:54

  • rotsujin #22 5 months ago

    If you have the right weapon (upgraded contact beam), you can burn the final boss down in less than 30 seconds without taking damage.

    DS2 isn't the most difficult game out there, but playing through on Hardcore mode really gets the blood pumping. It's worth it in the end!

  • Subdominator #23 5 months ago

    @TrevHead It's not exactly harder, just not as fair. There are many rooms where enemies just rush you and if you don't hit you're dead. And it's all about ammo management. Basically don'ts sell any ammo you find for your three or four weapons of choice. And upgrade those weapons (or at least two) to the maximum. Then the game is quite manageable.

  • sourc0r #24 5 months ago

    Dead Space 2 already has too many enemies as it is in my opinion. it wasn't fun, it wasn't especially hard, it was downright idiotic in many places. the final stage was an experience i NEVER EVER would want to have in a videogame again.

    there was also something odd about the regenerating enemy near the end: the beast itself was scary as hell, BUT millions of enemies crawling out from everywhere constantly drawing your attention away from it, coming at you like crazy somehow reduced the whole thing to tedious bullshit.

  • beatwolf #25 5 months ago

    Glad they did this. Really had some difficulty with the laster chapter, although I did manage to get through it.

  • Freek #26 5 months ago

    Yeah, Dead Space 2 is definetly not an easy game. So I would say they got the balance just about right, it chalanges you but doesn't go nuts.

  • King_Edward #27 5 months ago

    "We can make good games, we just choose not to".

    I'll believe it when I see it.

  • visionary #28 5 months ago

    @sourc0r I have to agree with tedious bullshit, after the first dead space with it's tense atmosphere the sequel was a shoot em up with a piss poor slow moving main character.

  • IIJAZMANII #29 5 months ago

    As much as I enjoyed Dead Space 2....the 1st one was better.

  • Nova1977 #30 5 months ago

    Next time just keep all rough stuff, no handholding. I loved DS2 but I really wanted some more puzzle elements as well, still a great game.

  • digitalash #31 5 months ago

    It annoys me that "hard" mode in games doesn't beef up the puzzles or stop the handholding, it normally just gives the enemies more health and you less. See 'Uncharted', a series which is pathologically unable to let you look at one of it's simple-ass puzzles for ten seconds without shoving the answer in front of your face.

  • jimboton #32 5 months ago

    They should have cut down on enemy spawn and kept the good puzzles.

    If 3 out of 10 people can't figure them out straightaway in the scope of a single playtesting session I don't think that´s a deal breaker. In a real playing session one can always put the controller down and come back later with a fresher mind, it usually works.

  • Kaminari #33 5 months ago

    "Initial concepts more complicated."

    Ah... So that's why they dumbed down the original mythology surrounding the Markers and the Necromorphs (hint: they're not the same thing). And that's why Nicole's behaviour is totally incomprehensible in DS2 (especially in the last chapter) compared to DS1. Shamefully, the devs decided for a more typical shocker.

  • bikmate #34 5 months ago

    Wait! What happened to difficulty options? Not being able to pass because of an overpowered enemy can be a bugger so it's good to have them.

    Puzzles on the otherhand can be passed in about the time it takes for you to google an answer.

    This way everybody wins.

  • rudedudejude #35 5 months ago

    Not played DS2 yet but it sounds from these comments they've just turned it into a third person blast fest instead of the excellent survival horror that was DS.
    Edited by rudedudejude at 09/01/12 @ 22:12

  • Bulbatron #36 5 months ago

    This is why we have difficulty-settings. Less-skilled players still get to progress, while more hardcore players get the challenge they feel they deserve. Everyone's a winner.

  • Hellion83 #37 5 months ago

    Post deleted at 20:12:17 01-02-2012

  • Hellion83 #38 5 months ago

    Post deleted at 20:12:17 01-02-2012

  • Hellion83 #39 5 months ago

    Post deleted at 20:12:17 01-02-2012

  • DeadBones #40 5 months ago

    Too bad they felt the need to dumb it down for the sequel, but I guess now we know why. Seemingly another case of producers neutering something because they think it's too far out of the mainstream.

    Weren't difficulty settings made for this?

    I liked the first game, despite the bad PC port, but unless EA has a change of heart it looks like I'm going to have to give DS3 a pass.

  • stryker1121 #41 5 months ago

    Endgame (on vet difficulty, at least) required you to basically run from room to room, and get to an elevator before the beasties could burst thru an air duct. It was a little smoke-and-mirrory in terms of difficulty, as there were groups of enemies and very little ammo. THe scares came from being chased, rather than the creeping death of some parts of DS1, or my favorite section of DS2, which was the return to the Ishimura in Ch. 10.

  • ubergine #42 5 months ago

    EA: Challenge No One

  • stryker1121 #43 5 months ago

    @rudedudejude it's not completely a brain-dead TPS. It's good for what it is. More set pieces than tense atmosphere, and it's quite fun. That said, I would like to a return to the dread i felt shuffling thru the corridors of the Ishimura.

  • Collymilad #44 5 months ago

    You know what, I'd love to see that.

    You should've continued nerfing, because the last 3-4 chapters were a complete clusterfuck that almost ruined the game. I played the first one for at least 50 hours I'd say through various runs but I've only done 2 once.

    I have and play harder games than DS2 (e.g. Dark Souls, hate to mention it again but it's a great example here) DS rewards players that actually have skill and learn. The problem with Dead Space 2 is that it's difficulty was cheap hits and being overwhelmed. It's completely the wrong way to go about it and if the cut levels were based around this then good riddance.
    Edited by Collymilad at 10/01/12 @ 01:47

  • ubergine #45 5 months ago

    I have to admit, despite seeing the opportunity for a one liner in it (a few posts back) I found Dead Space 2 to be too difficult in really cheap and frustrating ways. The first game was a balanced masterpiece (at least compared to 2) and I replayed it stacks of times. DS2 had a lot to admire but it was shorter, lacked the ingenuity in level design of the first game and was... well, I didn't throw in the towel but if it were a property I didn't like as much I wouldn't have bothered finishing it. I really want this series to succeed (or lead to a System Shock revival!) but more time and care in development please EA!

  • CamberGreber #46 5 months ago

    So Now 2or3 out of 10 people cant complete something so you get rid of it?

    Jezz Modern Deveopers allow 20% percent of the potential audience to ruin a great exsperience.

    At this pace Gameing is reaching it's End of Days.

  • username84 #47 5 months ago

    I like struggling to get through sections though.

  • GiarcYekrub #48 5 months ago

    Compared to DS1 it was much easier.

  • Lunastra78 #49 5 months ago

    Couldn't the puzzles also vary on different difficulty levels like the Silent Hill games used to do? I agree with others here that the puzzles were too easy (same goes for other games like Uncharted, Darksiders etc)

  • Liquidoodle #50 5 months ago

    @JayScott lol! :) It's a fun challenege, reminds me of playing Resi 1 back in the day with limited ink ribbon saves and having to actually use the knife early on with Chris Redfield on Hard to conserve some valuable ammo. I've had less frustration playing through DS2 on Hardcore than my house mates plays on Demon & Dark Souls :)

  • scuffpuppies #51 5 months ago

    Oddly enough I was playing through 'Dead Space 2' again last night. In my opinion, it was certainly one of the most commercially overlooked games of 2011. Developers dream of reaching the level of atmosphere achieved by Visceral, and the environmental art design is second to none. A masterclass in level design, lighting, texture creation, audio design, and multi-platform development. If only the core game design and pacing achieved the same success.

    In relation to the edited levels, it's that age old battle between challenge and frustration. A tough balance to achieve for most developers.

    Looking forward to Dead Space 3.
    Edited by scuffpuppies at 10/01/12 @ 11:04

  • Hunam #52 5 months ago

    I was more disappointed by the story taking a back seat for most of the game. You had a lot of info at the start but after the first couple of chapters it just turned into set dressing to get you to move to the next area, complete with a run of the mill ending.

  • shrinkwrapped #53 5 months ago

    They're putting the 'survival' into survival horror.

  • Hellion83 #54 5 months ago

    Post deleted at 20:12:17 01-02-2012

  • Cardiff1 #55 5 months ago

    @Liquidoodle

    2nd disc you say ?
    You are aware that the 360 version is glitched & you get an extra save at the beginning of disc 2 on hardcore ?

    I done it on PS3 in 2

  • Liquidoodle #56 5 months ago

    @Cardiff1 I'm aware of that yeah but I wanted to see if I could do it in the allotted saves, call me insane ;) well done for doing it in 2 btw!

    It's quite a good idea for a challenge, it's there if you want it but you can leave it if it's not your idea of fun. Hopefully the achievement can sit there with my completing Limbo in less than 5 deaths which took ages lol

  • Morte-360 #57 5 months ago

    Got this on christmas, the ending chapter's invincible enemy reminded of Nemesis from resident evil it's being years since I played that game, but the first reaction when I made the comparison was run the whole fucking level as far as I could. It worked thankfully I did not die until the endgame boss (swarmed) it sounds slogging actually fighting through all that. I tried playing on zealot & hardcore it has not gone well :{ If it was any harder... I would be utterly screwed still would of liked it though
    Edited by Morte-360 at 11/01/12 @ 03:34