Having experienced Isaac Clarke’s horror-soaked escape from the Sprawl in Dead Space 2, it’s nice to take an alternate path with different characters trapped in the same Necromorph-fueled madness. In Severed, your game time is spent in an equally desperate flight — that of Sprawl security officer Gabe Weller as he frantically hunts for his pregnant wife, stranded at the base’s hospital during the deadly outbreak. Having more at stake than simply sussing out Isaac’s mental state makes for a much more emotional ride, and Severed adds a few zingers to help invest you in Weller’s plight.

But don’t expect a bevy of glimpses into never-before-seen locales, or to be dazzled by all-new gameplay. Weller stomps, shoots, and screams exactly like Isaac in this quasi-reverse run through familiar territory — though Severed’s story takes place one step after the main game’s plot, so the spots you’re revisiting are gussied up with more blood and destruction. This repetition, combined with Severed’s short runtime (two chapters beaten in around two hours), keeps it squarely in the realm of diehard devotees.

On Xbox Live Arcade

+ More of the creepy, monster-slaying action of the main game in a bite-sized chunk.

+ Interesting side-story for those deep into the mythos of the Dead Space universe.

- Offers no new gameplay or environments; it’s rather short.

? Who’s leaving all this Peng lying around? Litterbug!

7.0