Nodes and linear upgrades were replaced. Players harvest raw materials to build custom weapons from scratch, like a combination shot-gun/rocket-launcher.

Unlike traditional shooters where headshots are king, Dead Space requires players to deliberately cut off the limbs of enemies. Shooting a Necromorph in the chest does minimal damage; slicing off its blades, arms, or legs is the only efficient way to neutralize the threat. Diegetic HUD (Heads-Up Display)

The Markers are sent across the cosmos by ancient, massive entities known as Brethren Moons to catalyze a process called . The Marker signal has two devastating effects:

"Cut off their limbs." Aiming for the head is ineffective; players must sever appendages to stop the threat. Dead Space 2 (2011)