The Dead Space franchise offers up no end of lore to fans: from fragments of digital notes to the screaming last words on a voice recording, the universe has plenty to discover for those so inclined. But what if we went even deeper than what the visual medium can offer? Players who wish to know the deepest lore secrets must enter a dread realm where even the most hardened horror veteran is tested: reading books.
For those without the iron will to engage in casual reading, though, we've compiled the most interesting tidbits of lore revealed in the two Dead Space novels, 'Martyr' and 'Catalyst'. They are more than worth the read for lovers of the series, especially Dead Space: Martyr, if only for the plot and characters alone. But if you're light on time or attention span, get a load of these.
8 The EarthGov Conspiracy
Players of the Dead Space series should be no stranger to the corruption of Earth's government, and the Unitologist conspiracy at its heart. But read the books and you'll see just how powerful and influential this conspiracy is: Markers, Necromorphs and mass psychosis are far, far more common than you might think.
Dead Space: Catalyst is essentially a laundry list for just how meticulous and widespread the government operations around Markers are. They kidnap, torture and brainwash a main character with little to no evidence ever left behind, operate dozens of Marker test sites far away from civilization, and even perform mass human tests on unwitting subjects. Whilst this concept is visited in Dead Space 2 and 3, the novels really hammer home just how insidious the Unitologist threat is before Isaac Clarke ever puts on a RIG suit.
7 Fleas Of The Devil
Given the ending of Dead Space: Extraction, a Necromorph outbreak on Earth seems inevitable. But what many players don't know is that the necromorphs have already been there quite a while. During the events of Dead Space: Martyr, it's revealed that Necromorph-like creatures have been washing up around Chixculub, Mexico for decades. Long enough, in fact, that when a child finds necromorph flesh on a beach a local witch knows to dispose of it with fire.
Obviously a product of the Black Marker submerged nearby, the locals refer to these fleshy creatures as "Fleas of the Devil," suggesting they're not a rare occurence. Knowledge doesn't mean safety, though — in true Dead Space fashion, the helpful witch is later commits suicide in a fit of madness, much like the many victims seen during the events of the games.
6 The Worst Mermaids In History
Another chilling piece of lore from Dead Space: Martyr, during which the Necromorph infection is shown to be much more widespread than the games suggest. When protagonist Michael Altman recovers a submarine sent to examine the famous Black Marker, he sees something that neither the he nor the reader would expect: Necromorph-infected fish, feeding on the surrounding wildlife.
It's unknown what role these non-human Necromorphs play in the wider infection, if anything. However, the fact that the Necromorph virus isn't limited to humans is significant: it shows that the Markers will use any kind of biomass available to them, highly intelligent or not, and that it's capable of spreading through an entire ecosystem if left unchecked.
5 The First Infector
One of the series' prominent nightmare creatures, Infectors have been series regulars since the very first game in the franchise. These fleshy manta-ray looking creatures are the vanguard of a Necromorph infection, but the books reveal that the first one to canonically appear didn't come about naturally.
In Dead Space: Martyr, research scientist Grote Guthe gives into the psychosis and injects Necromorph biological material straight into his veins. His corpse quickly transforms into the first Infector seen in the series, kicking off the grisly outbreak at Chixculub Research Site. However, he is notably warned of this outcome — which brings us neatly to a little lore bombshell.
4 Markers Don't Agree
Yep, it's official: the events of the books note that not only are Markers individual, they seem to have different goals. In the games most Markers wish to cause widespread infection of humanity with the Necromorph pathogen. But in Dead Space: Martyr, the Chixculub Black Marker attempts to halt a possible outbreak.
Throughout the novel, scientists are tormented by visions of loved ones just like in the games. But instead of temptations, many of these visions are active warnings against investigating further and infecting themselves. Even when an outbreak begins, the Marker sends a message urging the infected to enter the "Dead Space" around the Marker which can seal the virus. The reason for this difference is never explained, though some fans speculate Markers are intelligent enough to have unique personalities and goals.
3 Old Suit, New Tricks
A small but delightful little detail from the books, longtime fans may be surprised to learn that Isaac Clarke isn't the first person to don a RIG suit and use a plasma cutter against Necromorphs. Michael Altman, the famed 'founder' of Unitology, beat him to it by decades.
During the final events of Dead Space: Martyr, Altman is shown specifically using the same starter equipment which Isaac uses in the original game. He's far less nimble with the series' famous Plasma Cutter and has more trouble taking down meaty hordes, but it's nevertheless a great little nod to the space miner who started it all.
2 Altman's Spoon
The revelation that Michael Altman was an unwilling martyr for Unitology should come as no surprise to fans of the franchise. But what many players might not know is just how desperate Michael Altman's demise truly was. It's a desperate death, and one that makes sure you'll never complain about 'just' having a plasma cutter again.
After blowing up the Chixculub research facility at the end of Dead Space: Martyr, Altman is captured by Unitologists and locked alone inside a secure room. A Slasher Necromorph is put inside with him, and all Altman is given to defend himself is a dessert spoon. It goes about as well as you'd think, and as he dies his captors toast with champagne. As if there weren't enough reasons to hate the Church of Unitology.
1 The Fate Of Aspera
A barely mentioned incident in the Dead Space universe is that of Aspera: an offworld Marker test site which only appears as a footnote in Dead Space 3. But bookworms will be highly familiar with the prison colony, and the ghoulish fate of all its inmates.
It's a familiar situation in Dead Space lore: researchers at Aspera experimented with Necromorphs, and everyone inside ended up as a monster or red mulch. The story of Aspera is one of inhumane conditions, embattled survivors and the tragic reunion of two estranged brothers, in a tale just as dramatic as any of Isaac Clarke's adventures. But in the Dead Space universe, it's just another of the many examples for why you shouldn't mess around with alien artefacts.