Visceral Games and EA have today jointly announced the existence of Dead Space 2, the sequel to 2008’s excellent horror-imbued action adventure game.

The protagonist from the first entry to the franchise, Isaac Clarke, returns in the sequel, which is said to be a “thrilling action-horror experience,” while players will gain access to new tools with which to “gruesomely slice and dismember the Necromorphs.”

Also said to return is Isaac’s plasma cutter, as well as those awesome zero-G environments, while new characters and a more empowering gameplay experience are both promised as Isaac “[takes] the fight to the Necromorphs,” those hideous enemy creatures found in the first game. Executive Producer of Dead Space 2 Steve Papoutsis added:

“We’re thrilled to jump back into the series, making the next chapter in Isaac’s journey,” he said. “The infection continues to spread throughout space and our hero Isaac Clarke is the only person able to contain it. There are still loads of Necromorphs that need killing.

“In Dead Space 2, not everything is exactly as it seems. Expect plot twists that will surprise you and a huge cast of twisted, disgusting monsters that are sure to scare the daylights out of you.”

Dead Space 2 is expected to release on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC, most probably near the end of next year.

Tags: deadspace, deadspace2, deadspaceextraction, ea, visceralgames