More games need a “Stomp Shit” button in Dead Space

I walk the dark, eerie corridors of the large spaceship Ishimura in Dead space. Suddenly, I turn a corner and see two large boxes filled with possible goodies. I could shoot them or use my telekinesis module to grab them and slam them into the nearest wall. But it’s nowhere near as fun as what I end up doing: I go up and knock the living shit out of these boxes with Isaac’s incredibly powerful stomp. And like every time I’ve done it, I smile a little as his foot hits the cardboard. Boy, more games need a button dedicated to stomping shit.

Dead space– not to be confused with the original Dead space or great mobile game that is also simply called…Dead spaceis a big new fashion remake of the original 2008 survival horror game that started it all. And like the original Dead space follows space engineer Isaac Clarke as he and a small team arrive to check on a large mining ship, only to quickly discover that almost the entire team is dead and turned into horrific zombie-like monsters known as Necromorphs. Throughout the game, Isaac is able to use various weapons and gadgets to kill and maim all the various villains he encounters. But nothing, and I mean nothing, compares to the satisfaction you get from Isaac’s best trick: stomping on things until they die or break.

So often in life the simplest things are the best. Nice, cold glass of lemonade. Good dream. Bonfire and a few friends. And, of course, a big armored boot with more power than a god comes crashing down on some hideous zombie or bounty box. But actually there is something better. “Wait,” I hear you ask, “what’s better than one good kick with a giant space leg?” Well, and I think it’s pretty obvious, two or three or even seven hard hits. And in Dead space, this is possible thanks to the sensible decision not to tie stomping to some kind of stamina meter or cooldown scale. No, instead, you can just pummel any nasty creature that scared you until your finger hurts and the touchy monster turns into a mess on the floor.

What’s more, Isaac will start to insult and yell at what you’re smashing the more you stomp on him. It’s very funny when I just break a few boxes. To hell with those boxes, Isaac! I’m with you!

Possibly the smartest design choice to include Dead spacestomp is that you can perform this move whenever you want by simply pressing the right trigger on your controller. It may seem like a minor choice from the developers of both the remake and the original, but it’s brilliant. Pressing the face button or flicking a stick to stomp would certainly work, but it wouldn’t be as fun as having a dedicated trigger that I can pull like a foot gun to stomp whatever I see fit to flatten. Truly amazing game design.

Now, after finishing Dead spaceall i can think about is how many other games need the stomp button. Certainly, Fortnite it’s fun. But perhaps I would have liked it more if I could run up to defeated opponents and stomp on them. I sure that next Alan Wake It will be greatRemedy has a fantastic track record, but may I suggest adding another good old stomp to the Wake toolbox in the upcoming sequel? Eternal hell game from Ubisoft, Skull and Bonesseems to be a train wreck. Maybe it needs to be stomped too? You understand what I’m saying. Dead space proves that a good, powerful and reliable stomp can make everything better.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I bought a lunch at Taco Bell, and I’m going to open it the Isaac Clarke way: smash the bag with my foot and eat whatever comes out.