Dead Space 3 formally announced, packing co-op

There's been plenty of whispers about Dead Space 3 in the run-up to E3, and today EA finally revealed the poorly-kept secret. The decidely action-packed shooter is coming to PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in February 2013 and yes, as rumoured, it will pack drop-in, drop-out co-op.

EA showed the shooter off with a short on-stage demo heavy on the action but light on the horror, with Isaac and his co-op chum Sergeant John Carver players blasting away at hordes of monsters in big set pieces, and even crouching behind cover to shoot other men.

They're trapped on a frozen planet, see, with new necromorphs and monsters of its own, making the whole thing look curiously like Dead Space meets Lost Planet. Still, developer Visceral Games claims it will be horrific in single-player.

"Dead Space 3 will deliver action and horror on a scale that far exceeds anything we've done before. The game will range from the depths of space and tight, indoor corridors to a harsh new planet with explorable environments that offer new challenges," Visceral VP and GM Steve Papoutsis said in the announcement.

"For fans that love playing alone in the dark, they still can have the classic Dead Space experience that makes the franchise so unique. Likewise, players that want to share that immersive and intense experience with a friend now have that option thanks to the addition of co-op. Either way, the action is intense, the adventure is breathtaking, and the thrills are unforgettable."