Epic win in every respect. It's like Aliens meets The Thing meets Resident Evil 4. It's less survival horror and more action-game, but that doesn't mean the game doesn't try to freak you out at every possible moment. I want to hand money directly to whoever did the sound design for this game. The base atmosphere is creepy enough, but the music (very reminiscent of Jerry Goldsmith's 'Alien' score) and the way it only comes up if you're facing an enemy are perfect for this game. Wow. Just... wow.
I've bought Dead Space as well but haven't had the chance to play it yet, I've got a ridiculous backlog of games. Currently working through Bioshock PS3 atm, but will give Dead Space a try tonight.
Bioshock ftw Pach! But yea Dead Space looks incredible. I have a buddy who's torn between Dead Space and Little Big Planet. He loves RE4 and the The Thing[funny how you used those two in your description, Castor] so he was really considering Dead Space for awhile...but now he doesn't know what to do. XD
I just played about 30/45 mins of Dead Space. It is simply INCREDIBLE. I've had more fun in that little amount of time with Dead Space then I have with the whole of Bioshock so far. The side perspective is a bit wierd at first but you get used to it. Dismembering enemies' limbs is a lot more fun than having to always go for the stale and boring headshots. Enemies can come out from anywhere- every hallway you come to has multiple corridors. Every time I open a door to enter a new room, I have my gun readied.
It is SO intense I could only handle that short of an amount of time before needing a breather. The music is awesome. The sound effects and atmosphere is decidedly creepy- I've never felt more alone and isolated and pants wetting as a random metal clanging against pipes in the background has made me. Graphics are gorgeous. Lighting is superb. Everything- EVERYTHING so far has been awesome.
I only hope that the rest of the game can hold out this well. I was a bit apprehensive when I preordered this as I wasn't doing too much research into it. I only watched the first animated comic but decided I'd rather go in blind.
I don't regret it.
Oh wow! That awesome, huh? You make me want it Pach. I may sway my friend towards DS then.
I have heard nothing but great things about this game and seen the video review of it at gamespot and wow, I MUST HAVE! It looks soooooo amazingly good, I'm trying to beat other games that I'm catching up on, but that is my next big thing that I must get! 
This game is SO GOOD. I just beat it tonight. Once I forced myself to get into a groove (which when it comes to games designed to freak me out, is difficult to do (stares at the still-unbeaten copy of Resident Evil 4 on his shelf)), I just plowed through the game.
Not only do I wish to donate money to the guy in charge of sound for Dead Space, I also want to punch him in the mouth for scaring me so often.
Protip: The upgraded Line Gun is Jesus, Chuck Norris and The Law all rolled into one slice-and-dice package. Got a line of bastards charging at you? Send a Line their way and watch the legs all shatter like toothpicks.
System Shock did it first, and in the case of SS2, arguably better. Though, to be fair, it was a loy better than Bioshock, though Bioshock did not have the freak out moments of SS2 either.
