Dead Space Games in Order: Release Order and Story Order

There are three main Dead Space games, Dead Space (2008), Dead Space 2 (2011) and Dead Space 3 (2013), plus a 2023 remake of the first one and five spin-off games. The main games run in story order, following Isaac Clarke from 2508 to 2514. The spin-offs, two animated films, two novels and several comics fill in the gaps around them. Both lists below match the Dead Space timeline. (Dead Space; Dead Space 3; Dead Space (2023))

Release order#

The main series, with launch platforms:

1. Dead Space (2008, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Windows). Engineer Isaac Clarke boards the mining ship USG Ishimura and finds its crew turned into Necromorphs. See the Dead Space 1 story. (Dead Space)
2. Dead Space 2 (2011, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Windows). Isaac wakes on Titan Station, three years later, as a new outbreak begins. See the Dead Space 2 story. (Dead Space 2)
3. Dead Space 3 (2013, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Windows). Isaac goes to the ice planet Tau Volantis to end the Markers for good. See Dead Space 3 ending explained. (Dead Space 3)
4. Dead Space (2023, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S, and Windows). Motive Studio's remake of the first game. (Dead Space (2023))

The spin-off games:

1. Dead Space: Extraction (2009, Wii; PlayStation 3 followed in 2011). An on-rails shooter about the outbreak on Aegis VII and the Ishimura before Isaac arrives. See the Extraction story. (Dead Space: Extraction)
2. Dead Space: Ignition (2010, PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade). A motion-comic puzzle game set on Titan Station as the outbreak starts. See the Ignition story. (Dead Space: Ignition)
3. Dead Space (mobile, 2011). A Unitologist saboteur sets off the Titan outbreak. (Dead Space (mobile))
4. Dead Space 2: Severed (2011, downloadable content). Gabe Weller fights his way across Titan to reach Lexine. (Dead Space 2: Severed)
5. Dead Space 3: Awakened (2013, downloadable content). Isaac and John Carver's epilogue after the main game. (Dead Space 3: Awakened)

Story (chronological) order#

This list folds in the films, novels, comics and the podcast, because they fill the gaps between games. It follows the timeline's order.

1. Dead Space: Martyr (2010 novel), set in 2214, when the Black Marker is found. (Dead Space: Martyr)
2. Dead Space: Catalyst (2012 novel), set in the 2290s. (Dead Space: Catalyst)
3. Dead Space: Downfall (2008 film), the Dead Space comic (2008) and Dead Space: Extraction (2009), which overlap in the weeks before Isaac reaches Aegis VII. (Dead Space: Downfall; Dead Space (comic); Dead Space: Extraction)
4. Dead Space (2008), or the 2023 remake, set in 2508. (Dead Space; Dead Space (2023))
5. Dead Space: Aftermath (2011 film). (Dead Space: Aftermath)
6. Dead Space: Salvage (2010 comic). (Dead Space: Salvage)
7. Dead Space: Deep Cover (2024 podcast). (Dead Space: Deep Cover)
8. Dead Space (mobile, 2011) and Dead Space: Ignition (2010), which overlap in the hours before Dead Space 2. (Dead Space (mobile); Dead Space: Ignition)
9. Dead Space 2 (2011) and Dead Space 2: Severed (2011), set in 2511. (Dead Space 2; Dead Space 2: Severed)
10. Dead Space: Liberation (2013 comic), leading into Dead Space 3. (Dead Space: Liberation)
11. Dead Space 3 (2013) and Dead Space 3: Awakened (2013), set in 2514. (Dead Space 3; Dead Space 3: Awakened)

Where to start#

Start with Dead Space, either the 2008 original or the 2023 remake. The remake is the easier pick today: it runs on current consoles, gives Isaac a voice to match the sequels and keeps the same story and dates, with some details changed. The original is still the exact version the sequels follow on from. (Dead Space; Dead Space (2023))

Then play Dead Space 2 and Dead Space 3. Be ready for a change of tone in the third game, which leans further into action and co-op. Its Awakened DLC holds the actual last scene of the story, so play it if you want to see where things stop. (Dead Space 2; Dead Space 3; Dead Space 3: Awakened)

Newcomers don't need anything else. For the full plot in one place, read Dead Space story explained. (Dead Space; Dead Space 3)

Spin-offs, remasters and extras#

All optional. These add side characters and backstory, not twists you need.

• Extraction and Severed: one continuous story about Gabe and Lexine Weller that runs alongside the first two games. The best of the extras if you want more. (Dead Space: Extraction; Dead Space 2: Severed)
• Ignition and the mobile game: two short pieces about the first hours of the Titan outbreak. Ignition is mostly hacking minigames over comic panels. (Dead Space: Ignition; Dead Space (mobile))
• Downfall and Aftermath: animated films set just before Dead Space and between the first two games. (Dead Space: Downfall; Dead Space: Aftermath)
• Martyr and Catalyst: novels about the discovery of the Black Marker and the birth of Unitology, and a later Marker project. Martyr is the one to read if you only read one. (Dead Space: Martyr; Dead Space: Catalyst)
• The comics: the 2008 Dead Space comic covers the fall of the Aegis VII colony, Salvage follows the Ishimura's wreck, and Liberation sets up Dead Space 3. (Dead Space (comic); Dead Space: Salvage; Dead Space: Liberation)
• Deep Cover (2024): an audio drama podcast set between the first two games. (Dead Space: Deep Cover)