Dead Space 2 Co-op Multiplayer Skips Deathmatch for Objectives

The brand new multiplayer mode coming to Dead Space 2 will be something more than deathmatch in spacesuits.

As promised, Visceral Games has officially revealed the multiplayer mode to be featured in Dead Space 2 on the latest episode of GameTrailers TV. The studio appears to be following Ken Levine’s philosophy of multiplayer by trying to do something that fits within the world of Dead Space rather than simply adding a deathmatch mode.

Players will be able to take on the roles of either humans or Necromorphs in Dead Space 2‘s multiplayer mode, but every level is objective based. Humans will have to fight to complete these objectives rather than just shoot as many Necromorphs as they can see. Failure to complete an objective leads to a loss, as seen in the latest trailer where time runs out and the Necromorphs win.

Up to four humans will play cooperatively against four different types of Necromorphs. Dead Space 2‘s multiplayer producer says that cooperation is key, as separating from the group will probably lead to a quick death. The story of each level will also tie-in to the single-player storyline of Dead Space 2.

Each human’s weapon varies, and awesomely emits a different array of tracer lasers (I’m fond of the crossbow-like spread gun myself), and the four playable Necromorphs also have separate abilities. Returning from Dead Space are the Slasher, which attacks with bladed arms, and the Lurker, which can climb and shoot projectiles. New playable Necromorphs in Dead Space 2 are the Puker, which attacks with acidic vomit, and the Pack, quick, pre-teen Necromorphs that latch onto humans and try to rip them apart.

Visceral said that it would have had Dead Space‘s humans fighting each other in deathmatch, but it just didn’t make sense. It’s nice to see that Visceral is trying something unique with its multiplayer mode, in addition to something that makes sense within the game world of Dead Space 2, sort of like a Left 4 Dead Space. It’ll be released on the PS3, Xbox 360, and PC on January 25, 2011.