Summary
Following the success of EA Motive’sDead Spaceremake earlier this year, the beloved survival horror franchise that began back in 2008 has seen a resurgence after a decade since the last entry. Considered a classic of the genre by many fans,Dead Space’s remake is an update to a title that brought a sense of claustrophobic cosmic dread mixed with unsettling body horror through the struggles of the protagonist Isaac Clarke as he faced off against mysterious mutated creatures known as Necromorphs.
Corpses reanimated through an eldritch alien mutation,Necromorphsare the horrifying monsters faced in many forms through theDead Spaceseries. Utilizing many varieties of deceased matter in the creation of grotesque abominations, the designs of Necromorphs have been at the core ofDead Space’s horror appeal since its inception. The common Slasher is a monstrous distortion of a human’s body that is scary on its own, but the most disturbing Necromorphs from throughout the entire series take the concept as far as it goes.
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Divider
Often coming up in discussions about the scariest enemies inDead Space, the Divider is an intimidating creature reminiscent ofResident Evil 4’s Regeneradors. A resilient Necromorph notable for its ability to split into separate enemies, the long and lanky body of the Divider makes it a daunting sight. When its head splits from the body, it becomes a separate creature known as a Creeper that moves independently in an attempt to find a new host. If the Creeper successfully burrows into a host corpse and replaces the head, the controlled body becomes what is known as a Shambler.
Lurker
Usually formed from infant remains and organ bank contents, this is one of the most heavily mutated Necromorphs encountered in the series. A mass of flesh that can move along walls and ceilings, the Lurker attacks with three long tentacles capable of shooting barbed projectiles. A sickening design especially due to its components, a variant of the Lurker formed from a dog also notably appeared inDead Space 3.
Tormentor
A boss encountered in some ofDead Space 2’s more cinematic sequences, this Necromorph is a horrifying combination of multiple corpses that combine to form its limbs. Unfortunately not appearing as a proper enemy that could be fought, this creature was handled using the less suspenseful quick time events. With some fans hopeful for a more full combat encounter with it in the potentialDead Space 2remake, the relentless Tormentor could be more relevant than ever in the future.
Crawler
Another creature formed from the remains of infants, these particularly gruesomeDead Spacecreatures attack in groups using the explosive substance that swells inside their stomachs. Maneuvering in an unnaturally contorted posture, they move as quadrupeds with their swollen pustules always facing upwards. While relatively simple to handle in combat due to their lack of resiliency that allows them to be dispatched with a single shot, their tendency to approach in groups and the fact that they are deformed babies make them deeply unsettling opponents to face.
Brethren Moon
The final form of the Necromorph life cycle, Brethren Moons are eldritch entities that exist purely for the purpose of corrupting the biomass of new worlds and reproducing to repeat the cycle. When enough Necromorphs gather around a Marker, all of their deceased flesh is combined into the mass in an event known asConvergence. They may not be as immediately terrifying as the creatures encountered face-to-face, but a planet-sized being solely focused on spreading infinite death is likely the most cursed monster of all.
Dead Spaceis available now for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
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