Dead Space Complete Guide (80 Sections) | AntMag

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Welcome to the USG Ishimura, Isaac Clarke. As a systems engineer thrust into a nightmare, you'll be fighting for survival against the Necromorphs that have slaughtered the crew. This third-person shooter blends intense horror with strategic combat, forcing you to dismember your enemies to truly kill them. Your mission is to escape the derelict spaceship and uncover the dark secrets behind the outbreak.

This guide is your lifeline through the terrifying corridors of the Ishimura. We'll help you navigate every chapter, from following the security team in Chapter 1 to finding all the navigation cards needed to repair the shuttle in Chapter 10. Stuck on a specific boss, need help finding crucial items like Data Boards or Maintenance Bay Keys, or just want to make sure you don't miss any critical steps? We've got you covered.

PS3 Controls

Alright, let's get you sorted with the PS3 controls for Dead Space. Think of this as your cheat sheet so you're not fumbling around when a Necromorph is breathing down your neck. We'll cover the basic button layout and then dive into some pro tips to keep you alive.

Here's the rundown of what each button does:

Button	Action
X	Use, Reload
O	Kinesis (grab and hold), then R1 to throw object
SQUARE	Health (uses a med pack), Stasis
TRIANGLE	Inventory, Jump (in zero-g)
L1	Aim
L2	Run
R1	Melee attack, Fire (alternate fire when aiming)
R2	Curb stomp, Alternate fire
Right Stick (RS)	Look around, Aim
Left Stick (LS)	Move
D-pad	Select weapons
START	Pause Menu
SELECT	Map, Objectives, Inventory, Database

Quick Note: When you see an asterisk (*) next to an action, it means you need to press L1 (Aim) first, then the button for that specific action. For example, holding O lets you grab an object with Kinesis, and then pressing R1 fires it.

Starter Tips to Keep You Breathing:

Reload Constantly: Seriously, reload after every fight, before every fight, and anytime in between. Don't get caught with an empty clip when a Necromorph lunges.
Inventory Management: Use smaller items like med packs to free up space if your inventory is full. Sometimes you gotta ditch something to grab something more important.
Light 'Em Up: Your weapon has a light. Use it! Aiming while moving is smart, especially when entering new areas. Don't just sprint blindly into the unknown.
Use the Map: This sounds obvious, but the map and the in-game locator are your best friends. If you're lost or confused, pull it up. It's there for a reason!
Aim for the Limbs: This is crucial. Shoot the arms and legs. I personally like aiming for the legs – once they're gone, the remaining 'walking arms' are much easier to deal with.
Listen to the Music: That creepy, loud music? It's a warning. If you hear it and don't see anything, turn around. Something nasty is probably lurking.
Shoot or Stomp Boxes: Those boxes with lights on them? Shoot 'em for items. Or, if you're feeling feisty, just curb stomp them.
Spend Your Credits: Once you start hoarding cash, don't sit on it. Buy power nodes, ammo for your favorite guns (like the Line Gun), or med packs if you're struggling.
Know Your Buttons: The 'Health' button (SQUARE) uses a med pack instantly, and 'Inventory' (TRIANGLE) brings up your gear. Use them when not aiming to save precious seconds.
Curb Stomp or Kinesis: For those lighted green boxes, curb stomping is faster than shooting. You can also use Kinesis to grab them and smash them into the ground.
Med Pack Strategy: If you're a seasoned gamer, you might not need tons of large med packs. Keep your combined total (inventory + storage) around 12 unless you're really having trouble.
Upgrade Wisely: Prioritize upgrading the Plasma Cutter first. Then move to the Line Gun, and finally the Ripper. The Force Gun is also great. The Contact Beam is powerful but often situational.
Capacity Upgrades: Similar to Resident Evil 4, you can get capacity upgrades for free ammo. If your gun is empty, grab the upgrade, load the ammo, then pick up the upgrade itself. Smart!
Item Management: If you need to drop an item to pick up something better (like a medium med pack), drop the lesser version (a small med pack) first. Use items before dropping them, and if you need to grab ammo for a gun, drop something, load the ammo, then pick up the other item.
No Running Away: Necromorphs can use vents to follow you. If you can't beat an enemy in one area, you'll likely face it again in the next. Find a way to kill them where you are.
Hard Mode Tips: Enemies are tougher. What took one limb might now take two. Stasis and precise shots are key. Item drops might be less frequent unless you're low on ammo.
Save Often: Seriously, save your game after every chapter, or at least after Chapter 6. Glitches happen, and you don't want to lose progress. Keep multiple save files, especially for different playthroughs (like a Hardcore run).
Advanced Run Tip: For a Cutter-only or Hardcore run, the Line Gun and Force Gun are your best friends. The Contact Beam is powerful but often not worth the upgrade investment for these runs.

Mastering these controls and tips will make a huge difference. Now go out there and survive the Ishimura!

Chapter 1: New Arrivals

Walkthrough

1
After gaining control, familiarize yourself with movement and the camera. Press Select to access the systems screen, which includes your map, objectives, database, and inventory. The game does not pause when accessing these screens.
2
Turn around and begin the training by moving down the hall. Your CEC suit will load the tutorial as you progress; this information is also available in your database under "training."
3
Learn to run, then head left shortly after for a med pack.
4
Proceed right to reach the bay walkway.
5
Follow your group toward the door. You can optionally watch the video above the door before interacting with it.
6
Walk to the door to proceed into the Flight Lounge. The blue door is interactable; the red door is locked.
7
Inside the lounge, pick up the items on the left.
8
Save your game at the save station located in the corner behind your leader.
9
Use the Locator System (R3) to identify the next objective: opening the nearby door.
10
Head to the opposite corner of the lounge to load the damage report onto the screen.
11
Proceed down the Hall to the Lift Room. After a cutscene (a non-interactive cinematic the game plays automatically), once the door near you opens, run down the hall without stopping until you reach an elevator. Enter the elevator and press the button. You are safe once the door closes.
12
In the Workshop, look left for a hint that reads "Cut off their limbs." Pick up the Plasma Cutter from the table.
13
Open the two boxes to the right of the Plasma Cutter for items.
14
Before opening the next door, pick up the ammo to the left of it.
15
Stand back from the door, aim, and fire at the purple lines. Aim for the limbs of the Slasher enemy; shooting its head is ineffective.
16
You can also curb stomp the two boxes in the workshop since you now have a gun.
17
Proceed down the Tram Control Hallway. Go left and down, keeping your aim pointed towards the direction of light. Look for debris until an enemy runs by.
18
Pick up 1000 credits from the floor.
19
Head right to find a note about health and then pick up a health pack (green item) and an audio log (orange item) from the floor. The audio log will auto-play and be added to your database.
20
Proceed through the door.
21
In Tram Control, turn right to find a panel on the wall that can be opened for credits.
22
Head to the windows and they will raise to reveal Hammond and Kendra.
23
Go to the opposite side and open the two lockers with blue lights on them for credits and a med pack.
24
Return to the wall and save at the station. The large computer near where you entered requires a data board to use.
25
Proceed through the unlocked door into Tram Control Hallway 2.
26
To reload, press the "use" button while aiming. Your ammo count is displayed on the gun. The alternate fire provides a horizontal cut.
27
Keep an eye out for green boxes to curb stomp.
28
You can zoom in and move your map for easier navigation.
29
Go right, then turn left around the corner. Approach the dead body and shoot it first, as it may be an enemy playing dead. Pick up any dropped items and the audio log. Save your game.
30
Return to the main path and open the next door. Proceed down the hall, remembering to shoot the limbs of any enemies.
31
In the Tram Tunnel, go left for credits, then right to find a Stasis Module by a malfunctioning door. Use the Stasis Module to slow the door, allowing you about five seconds to pass through. There is a recharge port on the right if needed.
32
In the Access Hallway, pick up a stasis pack and save your game.
33
Going right leads to an item by the door and a bathroom with a few items. The lights will briefly go out, but no enemies appear.
34
Take the door at the left end of the hallway.
35
In Tram Repair, find a Power Node in a box on the wall in the corner.
36
Activate the panel nearby, then proceed up the walkway to fight a morphing enemy that emerges from the wall. Kill the enemy by damaging its limbs.
37
Pick up the credits and audio log near the defeated enemy.

Tips

The blue lights on your spine indicate your health meter.
The blue door in the Flight Lounge is interactable; the red door is locked.
If this is a second playthrough, you can curb stomp boxes if you have a gun.
The game does not pause when accessing the systems screen.
The Stasis Module functions like slow motion, affecting the target you aim at.
You can use a small health pack if you have lost a unit of health. Your health bar has four units.

Chapter 2: Intensive Care

Walkthrough

1
Tram Station: Exit and speak to the wounded woman. Acquire the Kinesis Module, which allows you to pick up and throw objects using the shoot button. Locate a med kit among body bags. Find a Schematic in the hallway by moving crates; this adds the Flamethrower to the store.
2
Security Station: Proceed to the safe haven. Collect creds on the floor, a box in a small room, and an item in body bags. A store is also available. Save your game here.
3
Main Lab (Research Wing): Head through the middle door. You'll learn about alternate fire modes; for the Cutter, it's a horizontal angle. Continue down the hallway to a broken door. Find a Stasis recharge station and ammo in nearby bodies. Use Stasis on the door to pass through.
4
Main Lab - Combat: Inside, find creds on the left wall and ammo around a small wall. As you advance, an alarm sounds, and infected enemies appear from vents. Fight them off in the upper area before taking the lift down. After clearing the initial wave, a final enemy may be below; eliminate it before descending.
5
Main Lab - Post-Combat: Near the lift, find a Stasis recharge and an open door with lockers and a box. Upon advancing further, four more enemies will ambush from wall vents. You can hide in the bathroom or fight them using Stasis, Kinesis, and your weapons. Fans from broken vents can be used as makeshift weapons.
6
Main Lab - Collectibles: After the fight, find items around the room's perimeter. The door by the lift contains items. In the bathroom, find an audio log. The middle room has a video log and a shelf that can be moved with Kinesis to reveal a hidden area containing a text log, a gold semiconductor (sellable), and two lockers of items. Collect items from lockers in the corner room by the lift, then save.
7
Bio Lab: Enter and proceed to a scene at the window. Find ammo in the corner. A new enemy, the Lurker, will appear. Use alternate fire (horizontal cutting) to shoot its exposed arms. Avoid shooting when its arms are retracted. Shoot the box, collect energy pickups, and take the lift up.
8
Bio Lab - Lurker Encounters: A Lurker hides by the door at the top of the lift. Another will emerge from orange glass on the right as you approach. Defeat both and collect an item behind containers.
9
Bio Lab - Thermite & Return: Collect the Thermite, energy, and a power node from a wall box. Return to the broken door in the Main Lab. Use Stasis to freeze it and proceed, preparing for a fight with two monsters. Use Stasis on them, as a recharge station is nearby. Return to the security area, check body bags for a missed item, use the store, and save.
10
Preparation: Consider purchasing new weapons like the Line Gun or Flamethrower, as they don't occupy inventory slots and are mapped to the d-pad. The Line Gun's alt-fire is a timed mine. Note that different guns use different ammo types (Line Racks for Line Gun, Flame Fuel for Flamethrower), not Plasma Energy.
11
Imaging Diagnostics: Save and proceed. Continue forward until you encounter a dying individual.

Tips

On Hard difficulty, female Slashers may appear earlier, and enemy types can vary. Utilize Stasis and the recharge stations effectively.
Lurkers on Hard difficulty may move faster and have more mobile tentacles, making them harder to hit. Back up or use Stasis.
Fans from broken vent panels can serve as temporary weapons.
The gold semiconductor found in the hidden area of the Main Lab is valuable for selling.
If you plan on using multiple weapon types, consider upgrading your suit's inventory slots.

Captain's RIG (Objective)
Thermite (Objective)
Power Node
Gold Semiconductor
Schematic (Adds Flamethrower to store)
Audio Log
Video Log
Text Log

Chapter 3: Course Correction

Walkthrough

1
Tram Station: Find ammo boxes on the ground and in the waiting area. Head to the Control Room.
2
Control Room: Collect an audio log, items in lockers, and visit the store or save station. Take the door to the right to enter the Machine Shop. (Optional: Use power nodes on the Line Gun's reload upgrade at the bench here.)
3
Machine Shop: Go down the ramp and defeat the enemy. Loot the men's room for an audio log, Flame Fuel schematic, and ammo. Find a text log near a bench.
4
Refueling Chamber: Proceed forward, find a medkit in a sleeping area. Defeat an enemy and collect creds and a box. Follow the path to a fork; go left towards the fueling panel. Use kinesis to pull the handle and refuel the engines.
5
Return to Gondola: After refueling, you'll face more enemies. Use Line Gun mines or explosive canisters as a pre-emptive measure before crossing. Defeat the enemies on the other side.
6
Continue Path: Collect items from a box and an audio log among bodies. A slippery enemy will escape into a vent. Follow the path to find an item, a stasis pack, a save station, and a schematic. Push down the fuel handle to complete the objective.
7
Activate Centrifuge: Head back. You'll be attacked by three enemies, including a leaper. Collect a power node and creds.
8
Return via Gondola: Take the gondola back across. If you didn't take the shortcut earlier, expect enemies in the Control Room.
9
Control Room Revisited: An infector will turn a body into a hyper enemy. Defeat them, using stasis if needed. Visit the store to unload schematics and potentially buy the Ripper.
10
Centrifuge Area: Go to the centrifuge (left from the Control Room entrance).
11
Decontamination: Loot lockers for items and an audio log. Use the bench for upgrades. You'll be ambushed by three enemies in the decon chamber; use the Ripper if you have it. Defeat the enemies and exit.

Tips

On HARD difficulty, curb stomp dead bodies to prevent them from becoming super enemies.
The Ripper weapon's primary fire creates a spinning blade that lasts about five seconds, offering good range.
For Cutter-only players, consider investing power nodes into reload or capacity upgrades at the bench.
Use stasis on hyper or infector enemies in the Control Room for an easier fight.
Retreating through doorways can offer a temporary advantage against enemies.

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