Dead Space (Xbox 360)

Pros: Outstanding Graphics
Lighting/Shadows are top notch
Good Story
Horrifying Enemies
Creepy Environments
Quite Possibly the perfect HUD
Brilliant Shooting Tactics (no head shots in this game)
Hours upon hours of scary/creepy fun

Cons: Some overwhelmingly difficult sections
A few minor glitches with character animations
Possibly too creepy???
One boss in particular is difficult to beat, and there's no explanation as to how you go about beating it.

Summary: I have to be 100% honest here, this game scares the crap out of me. It's gotten to the point where I don't play it alone, I'll have a friend over and we'll dive into it. On the plus side of that, even my friends are entertained by it when they watch me play!

I have to say, I don't think I've ever seen a more perfect lighting presentation. The visual lighting effect are sooooo good. Shadows play a large part in the game since sometimes you'll see enemy shadows moving around before you see the enemy itself. Also, one scene in particular leaves you in a near pitch black room with 3-4 growling enemies and nothing but the flashlight on your gun, this scene was the scene that made me stop playing it alone.
The Ambient noises often give goosebumps. Something about being alone in a dark corridor with strange, subtle whispering happening all around you (GET DOLBY 5.1 SURROUND SOUND) sends chills down your spine.

I've often found with horror games that they tend to over due the jumpy scary parts, where an enemy jumps out of a door or window or whatever and you jump out of your seat. Sure, its a really key part to a horror game, but dead space does more. There are many moments where you'll expect to jump out of your seat but nothing will happen. There's even better moments where you'll stumble upon a lonely survivor mumbling alone in the dark. I think the combination of scary elements really adds a level of depth and an over all feeling of doom and hopelessness to the game where-as other games settle to just make you jump a few times.

Last but not least, the way the scenes are handled outside the space ship are absolutely genius. Since you're in space, you're obviously wearing a suit that allows you to breathe. Well when you are forced to go outside the ship for brief periods, don't think you're safe from attackers. In fact, be even more cautious, because with no gravity, they can come from all angles. The creepy part about being outside is that all you can hear is your own breathing and the faint boom of your gun, but when enemies scream as they run to attack you, you hear nothing. Crreeeeeeeepppppyyyyy.