Author: Martin Robinson

Hardcover: 192 pages

Publisher: Titan Books

ISBN-10: 1781164266
ISBN-13: 978-1781164266

Synopsis:
The Art of Dead Space is the ultimate gallery of the Dead Space universe, with over 300 images including sketches and concept art by acclaimed artists from breathtaking spacescapes to terrifying necromorphs, character designs to creating a religion, plus commentary from the artists themselves. Includes art from Dead Space, Dead Space: Extraction, Dead Space: Ignition, and Dead Space 2.

I have no history with Dead Space so this was a completely new experience for me. This book chronicles all of the Dead Space games and even touches on the graphic novels.

I read this book in ebook form and once again I am confronted with a completely breathtaking work of art. This book must be experienced in this digital format. The commentary from art directors Ian Milham and Alex Muscat, creative director Ben Wanat, and VP/GM Viceral Games & EP DS3, Steve Papoutsis adds another layer to the love letter that this book is to the fans of Dead Space.

This is how the book starts out when you’re reading it on an iPad. You can see there on the left the instructions for checking out additional artwork and commentary interviews that explain some behind the scenes goodies.

This is a great example of how the video overlaps the artwork, though you can make it full screen. It’s also Airplay capable, so you can shoot the video to your Apple TV if you have one.

The way that art director Ian Milham goes into explicit detail about how the weapons were conceived is truly fascinating. He goes on in detail about how he wanted the weapons to make sense to the protagonist, a blue-collar worker. In his conceptualizing, he mocked up catalog pages for the tools turned weapons giving them generic names with interesting personal meaning.

There is so much thought put into every element of the game from the armor and helmet construction of Isaac to the design of the Unitology churches to the monsters.

Oh yes. Monsters. I’m not sure I have the nerves to play this game based simply on the monster. These are gory, terrifying, and really really scare me. There are really gross pictures of these “necromorphs” and they are, well, really gross.

This book is a gift to the fans. It’s beautiful and the video commentaries are well thought out and interesting. The hard copy version would make a great item to display in your house, but the digital copy is by far cooler as a complete product.

I give The Art of Dead Space Five Out of Five Stars.

 

 

The Art of Dead Space is available from Amazon. Here’s a link!
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