Survival Horror fans had a lot to celebrate in 2008 when Dead Space came out. The unique science fiction game was followed by two sequels and a couple of spin-offs but has been silent since Dead Space 3 in 2013.
This might be changing soon, however, with rumors floating around regarding a potential fourth entry and reboot of the franchise. With Dead Space almost certainly seeing a revival, this is a good time to revisit the classic that started it all. Specifically, this article will be looking at all the suits available to the protagonist Isaac Clarke, including the DLC packs.
11 Standard Engineer RIG
This is the default suit for Isaac in Dead Space, available from the start. It is ragged and beaten up. With only ten spaces available for inventory, it is the worst suit available. You’ll want to upgrade right away. It raises questions on how much Isaac Clark earns at his job to see him walk around in such rags. Dead Space gets hard quickly, so don’t try to prove anything by sticking with this suit.
10 Standard Miner RIG
The Standard Miner RIG is infinitely more useful. Aesthetically speaking, it is more dignified for Isaac to walk around in this suit than in the scruffy Standard Engineer RIG.
You do not need to find any special schematics to be able to purchase it. It simply costs 10,000 credits.
9 Intermediate Engineer Rig
This suit became the default look for Isaac throughout the franchise. It does not look too fancy but also appears durable. It still offers no additional health boosts over the prior suits, but there is more inventory available to store items and weapons.
8 Intermediate Miner RIG
Given the namesake, one can already assume the look of this suit. It is like the Standard Miner RIG but bulkier.
It offers more protection and a higher inventory space than all the suits that came before it. You have to wait until Chapter 7 to retrieve the schematics, in the same area where you pick up the SOS beacon.
7 Advanced Engineering RIG
This marks the end of the suits you can get in a single playthrough. Everything afterward is either earned in new game plus or DLC. It is a solid enough RIG to be able to beat the game, so don’t worry about being underpowered as long as you have this suit equipped.
6 Advanced Soldier RIG
This suit is only available after first beating the game. To unlock it from here just load up a cleared game save file and it will be available for purchase. Considering the obvious influence Resident Evil 4 had on Dead Space, it only makes sense for there to be an unlockable suit after beating the game. It is also miles ahead of any other suit you get on the first playthrough.
5 Advanced Hazard Engineer RIG: Elite Class
If you are playing on PS3 or PC and hope to buy this suit, then there is some bad news for you. The Advanced Hazard Engineer RIG: Elite Class suit is only available on the Xbox 360. Dead Space is admittedly a little DLC crazy for a single-player game. Fortunately, you can play the game normally without indulging in the DLC.
4 Advanced Hazard Engineer RIG: Obsidian Class
PS3 players should not feel too left out; this suit is exclusive for them. It is functionally identical to the prior suit but looks different.
3 Unitologist RIG
This suit is by far the best one in Dead Space. Because it is DLC, you could bring it into a first playthrough and make the whole game a breeze. It might be weird to buy your way to an easy first Dead Space experience, but no one is twisting your arm to buy it either.
2 Scorpion Level Engineering RIG
Pre-order bonuses are nothing new in the medium. Back in 2008, EA offered this suit for free with a code for anyone who bought the game before release. The pack this comes with also has enhanced versions of several weapons, which makes for a particular advantage on a first playthrough.
1 Standard Astronaut RIG
The Standard Astronaut RIG is far more colorful than all the other suits available in Dead Space. It was a part of the Astronaut Pack, which also came with additional weapon skins. However, the weapons had no gameplay modifications.
