Overview
Dead Space 2 is known for its entertaining gameplay and deep story. After beating the game on any difficulty, you unlock hardcore mode. Hardcore can be very difficult. No checkpoints and you can only save 3 times. These tips that I have discovered through playing all 3 games in this franchise can be very helpful if you wish to take on this challenge.
Weapons and Combat Techniques
This one is very important. The Game will give you 4 weapon slots, just like in the first one. but don’t let this fool you into using 4 weapons at once. Use 1-3 weapons max so that the game will give you plenty of ammo so you wont waste all the credits on buying ammo. In addition to this, allways have the plasma cutter on you, it is the most basic yet the most efficient weapon for dismebering Necromorphs. For your second slot, i would recomend the pulse rifle, because it has a high fire rate and can launch grenades to kill large groups of enimies. The Seeker Rifle is also a good choice, because it is very powerful and when fully upgraded can kill enimies in 1 or 2 shots. For the 3rd, I would say the javelin gun because it can electrocute enemies and 2 shot them. First the javelin spear then another to electrocute. It is also very powerful without the alternate fire. The force gun and contact beam and also great choices. Also, There is a video log around chapter 3 in the game that explains how to use kinesis in combat. Using the metal poles or blades from the necros is very powerful an will kill in 2-3 shots and will help you to conserve ammo. Another thing, if you have a chance to leave the room while being attacked by necros DO IT!! Trust me its better safe then sorry trying to stay and take on 10 necros at once especially in the later chapters. If you want to stay and kill of of them, then use the door technique. Sometimes necros will stop following you once you come close to a door. Go back and forth killing them and leavng the room. I would not recomend though,
Using Power Nodes and Spending Credits
Power Nodes are items in the game that can be used to upgrade your equipment at a Bench. It is vital to use them wisely if you wish to beat the game on Hardcore. Start out by upgrading your 1st weapon (shoud be plasma cutter) then your rig then your second and (optional) third weapon, then stasis. But try to distribute your nodes evenly amoung your gear. Above lists equipment in terms of importance. Spending your credits wisely is another important thing. Try to avoid wasting credits on ammo, but still buy it if you must. Use credits for mainly for health packs, because if you stay alive long enough, the game will give you more ammo. Only buy power nodes if you have credits left over
(they cost 10,000 credits). Also, try to only use weapons that are free because these will have increased damage, speed, etc. In addition, suits will have stats for weapons. I would recomend the EarthGov Security suit, because it has increased damage for pulse rifle and seeker rifle, 2 important guns, and it also has good amor stats. Or the riot security suit, because of increased damage for the contact beam, which is already very powerful. They also free (at least on pc).
Using Saves Wisely
In Hardcore mode, the game only gives you 3 saves, and when you die you resart at your last save. Using these wisely are very important. Try to use a save around the middle of the game and at the end of the game, with this in mind you will have an extra save for any part of your choosing that you think you might die at. Gameplay for DS2 is very entertaining, so you will probaby not get bored. But dont get to caught up in the gameplay. Always be on ready for that time you get crowded by necros or when you run out of stasis or health or ammo. If you do get bored and you dont want to waste your save, simply pause the game, take a break, and come back to it later.
Good Luck!
Before you play the game on hardcore, maybe try a tester run on a new game on zealot just to practice these techniques or others you have found. Just remain calm and focused, conserve your ammo, med packs, stasis, and credits, aim for the limbs and you’ll beat the game on Hardcore.
