Dr. Mercer's Death Scene - Dead Space 2008 vs 2023

Dead Space Remake vs Original Scenes
Dead Space Remake - Dr. Mercer Death Cutscene
Dead Space Graphic - OLD (2008) vs New (2023)
#deadspace #remake #deadspaceremake
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Dead Space is a science fiction/horror media franchise created by Glen Schofield and Michael Condrey, developed by Visceral Games, and published and owned by Electronic Arts. The franchise's chronology is not presented in a linear format; each installment in the Dead Space franchise is a continuation or addition to a continuing storyline, with sections of the storyline presented in prequels or sequels, sometimes presented in other media from the originating video game series, which includes two films and several comic books and novels.
Primarily set in a 26th century science fiction universe featuring environments, weapons, and characters typical of the genre, the Dead Space franchise centers on a series of video games beginning with the release of the first Dead Space, which follows an engineer named Isaac Clarke and the mutated undead horrors that surround him. A central theme in the games is the fictional cult religion Unitology and its fanatical followers, who believe that information about an alien artifact called the Marker is being suppressed by the Earth's government. Their primary goal is to use this Marker to bring about the so-called "convergence" or "unification", with the Markers being the source of the undead monsters encountered by the series' protagonists.
The Dead Space video game series has been positively received; the first game in particular won a number of industry awards for the varied elements of its gameplay and development, and is often regarded as one of the best video games of all time by critics. From a commercial perspective, EA considered the video game series as a whole to have underperformed. After the financial disappointment of 2013's Dead Space 3, no further media for the franchise was made for the remainder of the 2010s. A remake of the first game is currently in development by Motive Studio and set for release in 2023.
Primarily set in a 26th century science fiction universe featuring environments, weapons, and characters typical of the genre, the Dead Space franchise centers on a series of video games beginning with the release of the first Dead Space, which follows an engineer named Isaac Clarke and the mutated undead horrors that surround him. A central theme in the games is the fictional cult religion Unitology and its fanatical followers, who believe that information about an alien artifact called the Marker is being suppressed by the Earth's government. Their primary goal is to use this Marker to bring about the so-called "convergence" or "unification", with the Markers being the source of the undead monsters encountered by the series' protagonists.
The Dead Space video game series has been positively received; the first game in particular won a number of industry awards for the varied elements of its gameplay and development, and is often regarded as one of the best video games of all time by critics. From a commercial perspective, EA considered the video game series as a whole to have underperformed. After the financial disappointment of 2013's Dead Space 3, no further media for the franchise was made for the remainder of the 2010s. A remake of the first game is currently in development by Motive Studio and set for release in 2023.

[@Tommygun23455]

I like how in the OG Mercer was a religious zealot with insanity obsessed with the whole convergence event and the Maker helps him become one with them , in the remake, Mercer is sane with malicious evil intentions but the Marker outright rejects him

[@HuskySansVergogne]

Mercer is a zealot but unlike everyone else he doesn't have the visions the Marker is supposed to provide, so he tries to use Harris (the colony survivor who becomes the Hunter) Besides, there's a big reference to dead space 2 where we see Mercer make an operation through the eye so that Harris's vision is clearer and could see the glyphs that allow the construction of other markers, or the creation of the alien tissue that allows necromorphs to exist. He's trying to figure out what it takes to start the convergence through Harris but misunderstood the whole "the creator must be killed" thing thinking that because he created the Hunter he is part of the distant necromorph Moon's plan when not at all. Many details suggest that Mercer was immune to the Marker's effects

[@ahmadmunir170]

Kinda seems accidental honestly. Tendril just scoops him up cause he was close to the marker and he died as aresult

[@drachdelcr4702]

I don’t think that’s even a religion, that’s more of a cult for it’s negativity it has shown. Even professionals says that

[@HuskySansVergogne]

@@drachdelcr4702 Unitology is literally the most important religion in the dead space universe.

[@RIBAYRO]

@@drachdelcr4702 something being a cult or a religion is just a matter of perspective. Or rather, its general social acceptance.

[@lukerosales5879]

Mercer being denied what he wanted before his death is hilarious - much more deserving too.

[@ewanrodger8067]

If your a quick enough shoot in the original, you can kill the necromorph on him and he won't turn.

[@getschwifty5537]

@@ewanrodger8067 I was trying to remember if that was possible (been a loooong time since I last played). Awesome. I love denying bastards the satisfaction they crave.

[@lukerosales5879]

@@ewanrodger8067 oh yeah true. But the fact that he's denied being turned into a Necromorph by the very thing he worships is just as deserving as well.

[@aviewer774]

@@lukerosales5879 I mean that's not really true. Sure he wasn't alive hwne he turned but his body will still get turned when an infecter shows up

[@lukerosales5879]

@A viewer would it though? From what we saw the Hive Mind crushed him. Given what it did to Kendra later, would there be anything left of Mercer to turn?

[@jaderabbit898]

Something not talked of a lot in the OG but if you made it to Mercer fast enough, you can literally deny him of Convergence by killing the Necromorph fast enough. Remake just does it for you already.

[@olechristianhenne6583]

thats the thing his dead by then!

[@OranG_01]

Yeap I was so satisfied when I denied his unification 🔥🔥

[@sourballs1248]

Is there a video of that happening? I can’t find one

[@asurashun9695]

Is there a video about that?

[@gamesloverjustice]

@@sourballs1248 I think he just means you can kill the infector so his headless corpse is still just there since the game only loads a dead headless body not an actual live dr mercer

[@DemonVido]

The OG Dead Space looks great for a 2008 game

[@Rakshiir]

I think it holds up VERY well. Gameplay is a bit clunky (was already a bit clunky in 2008), but everything else holds up mostly well. I think the remake added some nice details story and characterwise, rounding up an already strong game to be better. I am personally hoping they are allowed to do 2 and 3. Mostly because 3 would need a rehaul. 2 is also really well done and also holds up very well, but if you remake the series, you need to do that as well. As long as they do similar stuff, where they really put in effort and show the respect for the original and take from them what was good or good ideas, this could be a really good survival horror series.

[@blueshit199]

people say that about every 2008 game. but yeah Dead Space looks great (mostly)

[@Senior-Donjusticia]

Personally prefer the original. The truly horrifying and threatening aspect of the markers to me was not the necromorphs or giant flesh tentacles, but the idea that they could warp people’s minds to the point that they would willfully let themselves be slaughtered.

[@based-ys9um]

Play the original then

[@spotlight9269]

The remake does also that, wym

[@based-ys9um]

@@spotlight9269 people who complain about remakes don't have a current Gen system

[@Rakshiir]

I think the remake shows even better how people react to the marker or vice versa. You find several audio or text logs showing you how people went from normal to batshit crazy or suicidal. You have Mercer, who seems to be mostly immune or very resistant to the marker, but helping it due to subtle influence and/or his unitology beliefs. You never see him being outright crazy, but it is still possible that the marker uses his devotion in some way to influence him in helping him. Would also explain why he is so upset in the end. Harris is also an interesting case, while his reaction to the marker is surely also influenced by what Mercer does to him, in various moments it is clear that the marker has an influence. Kyne has a similar reaction to Isaac in that they are smart enough to not go suicidal, but the marker shows them loved ones to further his goals. Cross is similar, but seems to have more of a resistance, since she is on the ship longer compared to Isaac but only sees hallucinations later in comparison. (a fact you find out in a new game+ in mining if you find a log) Captain Matthius also seems to be affected by the marker and his faith, and he goes a different direction as well. I think the game was pretty damn good in showing that the marker uses people different depending on what they think, how smart they are, their beliefs ect.

[@based-ys9um]

He can't play the remake he don't have a current Gen system

[@musicology3552]

That goofy ass tentacle taking him off screen is hilarious.

[@welestgw]

While this is a year later, I kind of expected him to show up again alive again on Aegis 7 and die with the chunk falling. Just since they didn't bother to show him dying.

[@SadenIsWatchin]

Yeah it kinda blows lmao

[@noheroespublishing1907]

The original has a lot more of a complicated aspect to it, Mercer is a fanatic and truly believes in what he's doing and that it has a grand purpose, so much so he could never feel betrayed by the Marker or the Necromorphs, anything that happened to him because of them would have been seen by him as a religious reward and as a result he could never be disappointed. The greatest horror to him would have been being thrown, alive, out of an airlock and denied becoming a Necromorph or whole with the Marker, even if Issac killed him, so long as he was onboard the ship, he'd have died with the belief that he'd be converted into a Necromorph. He's basically a prove a negative character, impossible to show he's wrong, and so, his unceremonious transformation into a Slasher seems, to Issac, to be anticlimactic and insane, but to Mercer, right up to his death, he believes he's won a religious battle and is being rewarded for his service to his belief. His disillusion is absolute, meaning that it both colors his every action as a moral good and cannot be contradicted by any other information, and that nothing cannot be seen as outside of, or capable of defeating, his faith in Unitology; everything conforms, nothing distracts. He's unshakable to the end, which is why he's dangerous, because nothing can penetrate his beliefs.

[@lucasguenesmenezes6416]

You just perfectlt described some religious fanatics I've met LOL

[@noheroespublishing1907]

@@lucasguenesmenezes6416 Exactly 💯

[@michaelcastell6149]

God damn. Well said. You had me invested into every word awaiting the next. You're very literate and I hope you use these skills often and well

[@jaylebo2025]

Very well put

[@dkkanofkash8798]

Holy shit. It really does feel like the Marker hears Mercer and helps him, even having a Tentacle grab Isaac and all.

[@tomatoesofdoom]

really dumb. he shouldnt have any perceivable sway with this cosmic being

[@thegoatarmy6699]

NOPE the Marker wasn't helping Mercer. It was preventing Isaac from getting into the ship, and the Marker proceeded on killing Mercer by denying his join to convergence. Remember what Nicole said, the Hive Mind will obey those who return the Marker, so my guess is that the Hive Mind was preventing Isaac from uploading the Marker to the ship.

[@mirroredvoid8394]

@@thegoatarmy6699 The marker let isaac go. He was the only one able to digest and handle the information the marker stuffed into his mind. You notice the hivemind is able to instantly kill all other characters, but things get easier when its time for isaac to fight. kzbin.info/www/bejne/i4CogWOVgt55gLM (The marker was slowing him down to completely fill his head with information on how to construct new markers)

[@DarthTalon5]

​@@thegoatarmy6699 You know except for the fact that it is an obvious lie made by the marker to trick Isaac and co. into returning the Marker in order to begin convergence. Would've been better to point out that the drag tentacle had already grabbed Isaac before Mercer even showed up.

[@jarrettadams4102]

@@DarthTalon5 It can't begin Convergence without consuming the people who created it. "The Makers must be absorbed." The Red Marker is hundreds of years old and whoever made it is long dead. It wants to wait for an Architect (Isaac). When Isaac returned the Marker and the pulse of energy was released that left him screaming in pain, that was the Marker Codes being implanted in his mind to build a new Marker and start over. This is why in the Secret Ending he tells NotNicole he's gonna build her something.

[@lemmers252]

I like how all the surviors you find are doctors and engineers, in the second game there's an audio log that examines the markers effects based on intelligence, you still go crazy eventually but it's different you can see the symbols hear the marker maintain your sanity much longer then other people who hear a buzzing a white noise a jumble of symbols and it drives them insane relatively quickly most kill themselves or become violent and kill others, Issac and the others are able to digest it and maintain some sanity like the doctors and the engineers hilighting Issac's own formidable intellect

[@adventurethroughtime]

Yes, it's well established that more Intelligent individuals are resistant and even sometimes impervious to the marker signal. Honestly the whole thing is probably a commentary on religious and political dogma dumbing people down and turning them into shadows of their former selves, but it seems like people in politics (in the games) who aren't unitologists aren't affected by the signal for a while.

[@fluffinsquirrels]

if you haven't read the books, they go into much more detail about the markers effects on different individuals, movies are worth a watch too since downfall is at least cannon now with some audio logs referring to chief vincent.

[@mirroredvoid8394]

The marker intentionally let isaac go, so he could spread the knowledge on how to construct new markers. It's fully coconscious and mentally attacks people to get them to do things they normally wouldn't.

[@cagneybillingsley2165]

that aspect of the lore is honestly cringe and lowers the character of isaac to the level of a mary sue self insert. muh special high iq protag

[@mirroredvoid8394]

@@cagneybillingsley2165 Isaac is not a marry sue, he is being used to destroy humanity. Dead space 3 intro explains the only way to truly defeat the marker.

[@DangerSquad]

Mercer's death in the original was much more unsettling and fit with the world more. The remake's take on it is too much of a "Ha! Gotcha!" moment that it feels out of place.

[@ZoofyZoof]

Both felt out of place, but the original felt much more awkward

[@killcount6534]

@@ZoofyZoofno.

[@ZoofyZoof]

@@killcount6534 Yes.

[@iridium5652]

I personally like the original mercer better. In the original he was a straight up fanatic who saw the necromorphs as divine and ultimately willing allowing himself to be killed and turned into one. He fully embraced this fate and was happy to just be a part of it. In the remake he seems much more arrogant. He believed he was special and would get special treatment. Nah bruh the marker and the moons don’t care how high ranked of a church member you are your just meat to it.

[@AveryHyena]

I mean, he was special though. The hunter ignored him multiple times and only went after Isaac.

[@ringring8938]

Join us, there is nothing to fear, embrace the convergence. Those few words really makes me feel like he is completely insane at that point.

[@naruchiha619]

@@AveryHyena That's because Harris didn't lose himself as a regular necromorph to the Marker, he was chosen by it just like Isaac. The Hunter still retains somewhat of Harris mind

[@jonathanlarsson4608]

I like the idea that Unitology is but a deluded and glorified reflection of the marker's true purpose, which is to spread and overtake, like an intergalactic cancer. Dr. Mercer is in both versions convinced that it is divine; the path to paradise, immortality and unity. While he is a deluded zealot in both the original and remake, the Mercer of the remake seems more full of himself. While the original basically just gave himself to the necromorphs, seeing his death and reanimation as the natural progress of things, the Mercer of the remake seems convinced that he deserves more, like he's the prophet of the marker and should be granted a special spot in convergence. However, whatever force drives the markers and the necromorphs really doesn't seem to give a damn either which. He's essentially just another piece of meat.

[@ZetsubouGintama]

Thing is... Altman was set up to be prophet and kill before the Unithology was formed. It was a phony religious. Dude wasn't even a religious zealot and try to stop necromorph outbreak.

[@jonathanlarsson4608]

@@ZetsubouGintama Would be cool to see prequel game with Altman as the main character.

[@ZetsubouGintama]

@@jonathanlarsson4608 There was a novel of it. Dead Space Martyr.

[@PrincessTwilightdash]

the thing about the marker too is that it needs to know if there's going to be a species smart enough to help spread it

[@TimeBomb014X]

That force is the Bretheren Moon, they are the puppet masters puahing humanity to convergence

[@hectorbeck4350]

I like that, in the remake, the marker just unceremoniously kills him without hesitation. Makes sense given that he was just a deranged pawn to it Edit: the Hive Mind killed him, not the marker itself. Thank you for the correction!

[@jhorbirnlokrisson6528]

Biomass is biomass. The marker has no morales or consciousness we are meat. Simple as. The brothering moons on the.other hand...

[@AveryHyena]

The marker didn't kill him, the hive mind did. And it didn't care about killing him or not, it just wanted to take the marker and Mercer decided to just stand there and essentially kill himself.

[@oldmatedave2382]

@@AveryHyena the markers signal and all necros are one concious being my brother :) the moons are sentient tho

[@AveryHyena]

@@oldmatedave2382 Nope, they're not conscious. The marker isn't sentient. It's just simple programming. And it doesn't change the fact the hive mind killed mercer.

[@oldmatedave2382]

@@AveryHyena maybe I misworded, but the marker is a tv signal for necros and necros are a "tv" in plainmans terms

[@Mintor94]

I think that marker in the remake "noticed" that it got separated from the hive mind, so tried to create a now one - that was a Leviathan. When we killed it, it tried again, Kendra was talking something about a mass growing around the marker in the cargo bay, with Mercer's body as a part of it. He kinda "ascended" in some wierd way.

[@MarcLevins]

just not the way he wished to ascend, so that makes me smile

[@Rakshiir]

@@MarcLevins Yeah I think that is the point. In the end, he would be used in convergeance, but obviously it is not what he thought or wished it to be. That he is denied even a fraction of what he thought would happen is Karma. But since it is not clearly stated, you can`t be to sure if the marker didn`t influence him in some subtle way to create the hunter, help him in a way, until he wasn`t useful anymore - because to me it doesn`t make sense that Mercer survives that long without any actual weapons unless the marker leaves him mostly be to do his "work"

[@MrRepoman197]

The craziest thing about the Leviathan was it came from the colony when the planet crack occurred along with debris. By the time it finally hit the ship the necromorph infection already began wiping out the crew thanks to Colin Barrow bringing it onboard.

[@OranG_01]

When I played the original I DID NOT let that fcker the satisfaction of turning into a necromorph I stasised him and contacted beamed everything from existence

[@solarhighway7442]

Wow I didn't even realized he died there in the remake. I thought they were gonna show him one last time and I was confused when I didn't see him for the remainder of the game.

[@AzureTheAvian]

You hear his bones snapping, back breaking. He even goes limp.

[@MeatBunFul]

Can't blame you. The remake is just all pretty picture but a sad replication of the masterpiece

[@ken7007]

​@@AzureTheAvian nice head Cannon

[@markusspecht5041]

I didn’t realise he does in the original for years cause he was just another necro. Remake showed it better imo

[@hollywoodgloom7382]

@@MeatBunFul what are you even talking about?

[@ADHD_God5489]

Dr Mercer feels like Isaacs nemesis in the remake.

[@tomatoesofdoom]

i feel bad for you

[@TheAdvertisement]

​@@tomatoesofdoom the hell?

[@Servellion]

Gonna go with original. You can outright stop his transformation if you're fast on the trigger or you can let him transform and cut him apart like any other necromorph. Remake just gives us a cutscene where we have no such agency and is pretty directly against a lot of the Original, which tried it's best not to lock your controls during events. Plus, necromorphs aren't actually able to get close to the Marker until the actual convergence event which the Remake decided to throw out for some dumb reason.

[@sevinanderson8919]

So what about in the original when you're transporting the marker back to its pedestal, all the necromorphs you fight are close to the marker?

[@mrdrybonestv]

@@sevinanderson8919 narrative dissonance, it’s done so the player has something to do in that section other then escort the marker.

[@MarcLevins]

it's not a real marker, just a copy. only lesser necromorphs can't get too close

[@edythebeast7087]

Don’t necromorphs slow down and glow red when near the market in deseosa e remake

[@CyberSpideRU]

Are you braindead? In the Original the Marker won't stop necromorphs AT ALL. Only in the Remake he's finally have that dead zone where necromorphs will get slower ang glow red. Go play original if you forgot everything.

[@Unknown-mj4wo]

Everyone crying forgets one thing. Killing him before he turns in the OG doesn't matter as the marker will still use his dead body for biomass. He's gets his wish regardless. Same thing with the remake. It doesn't matter how you die. Dead flesh is used no matter what

[@terbentur2943]

Exactly PLUS he will never know it anyway. From his perspective he achieved what he wished for

[@xJaaku]

​@@terbentur2943 Dude died screaming because he was denied. In his perspective, no he did not achieve what he wished for.

[@pyguy7]

The original was better in that it kept with the theme of Dr Mercer being an insane obsessed zealot, even to the moment of his death he never waivered in his faith of it. In the remake his faith wavers in the last moment and it taints the overall oomph the original had.

[@Wickerrman]

Very much agreed, it's very unsettling in the original. The remake feels way too Hollywood style "bad guy comeuppance".

[@RiDaku]

Honestly I disagree. It shows that he didn't worship the Marker, he believed he had earned something, that it owed him something. He thought himself on equal footing, when in truth he was just another piece of meat to the horror, and he realized that in the last second. His worship wasn't real. It was typical human arrogance with every step. And ultimately, it showed the pure futility of everything in regards to the Convergence - you can fight it, you can help it, you can try to work alongside it, ultimately in the end you're just nothing to it.

[@pyguy7]

@@RiDaku oh I understand exactly what they were going for in the remake. It's a completely different take and it works sure. But I just prefer the 'Take' that the original did with the more 'insane and fanatic to the very end' I like that he never waivered in his beliefs in original even in the last moments.

[@whiteeye9584]

@@RiDaku exept in original he fanatic the end but remake made him typical bad guy

[@legion999]

It only taints Mercer's sense of victory, which is good, I hated that this prick went out on his terms

[@TheSilentOne50]

His death was far too quick in the new one for what he did to the crew. He needed some more suffering.

[@antoniogc9358]

I guess that the idea of being rejected is more painful for him

[@guts-141]

He died quickly too in the original But at least in the remake he was being shamed by the Marker Hilarious

[@Cheesecake17345]

He didn't suffer at all in the original, he died exactly how he wanted, when he wanted.

[@bloodysimile4893]

@@Cheesecake17345 because Iassc ruin his plans. Minecrafting himself show how zealot each unitologists would be, do everything possible to advance the marker goals in life. Then give themselves to markers when they can do no more.

[@ringring8938]

@@Cheesecake17345 which is actually a good thing. The original Dead Space was way creepier, more unhinged and less good vs bad. You're just trying to get the hell out of that place in one piece, gone insane in the process

[@user-ll5nt6ms7u]

I think the original version is much better than the remake. It goes well with the atmosphere unique to Dead Space.

[@gorhyeh9960]

He died in the same way as everyone else did. He wasn't special in the Marker's eyes. That's what was awesome about it.

[@tiagoalves2056]

@@gorhyeh9960 well in the original he basicaly suicides in the remake he was afraid to die

[@HuskySansVergogne]

@@tiagoalves2056 He is afraid of dying because he wants to communicate with the marker, he does not have the visions like all the others and got frustrated because of that. His entire story arc is based on the fact that he uses Harris to try to understand the marker and how to start convergence. He thinks he's helping the marker and is part of the plan to start convergence but in reality the marker doesn't care about him. When he realizes that he panics and doesn't understand. We learn all this by reading and listening to the messages + doing the side content

[@gorhyeh9960]

@@tiagoalves2056 Not necessarily big dog. It's sort of comparable to giving your life to a war. He gave his life believing he was giving to a bigger purpose, which is not what suicide is about. The dude in one of the tapes has himself chopping himself to prevent becoming a necromorph, which is sort of like suicide, but imo, cannot be concluded as suicide. Suicide is like ending youself due to your own reasons. That's a whole other story to itself man.

[@tiagoalves2056]

@@gorhyeh9960 well he was crazy after all😅👌but yes i agreed with u

[@russian_knight]

Honestly i think they did his death even better in the remake, after all the horrible shit Mercer's done, having him be denied what he worked so hard to achieve is pure Catharsis

[@xboxgamerz22]

True

[@Sc0rch806]

Other people beg to differ but I’m mostly neutral but I personally prefer the death in the original but I see your point

[@Zelldic27]

the og was better because you could actually stop the convergence by yourself.

[@Sc0rch806]

Yeah it was a nice touch

[@Tube_Chaser]

Sure, but horror isn't really meant to be cathartic in that sense. At the end? Maybe. But mid-story, to invalidate such an otherwise oppressive and haunting villain with the story going "yeah, don't worry about him, he was wrong the whole time!" is such a let down. In the original, Mercer could have been insane... or maybe he wasn't. It wasn't exactly clear what the Marker is, what it does, and whether or not Mercer got what he wanted by paying the ultimate price. The horror came from that uncertainty. The remake spells it out for you, leaves no room for interpretation, and just ruins what was otherwise a great death scene. If you wanted Catharsis, you can have it by blasting him with your plasma cutter moments later, thus denying him convergence anyways.

[@redentorinfernal]

0:41 Good burp

[@fluffinsquirrels]

i definetly liked the idea that mercer was one of the first enhanced isaac sees, he's a complete zealot for the marker and his devotion promotes a stronger connection, which intern makes a stronger necro. I was admittedly sad that he didn't get a more brutal death than being simply crushed against the marker.

[@ringring8938]

He was denied convergence, I feel kinda ashamed that we didn't see the insanity side of Dead Space, now is more of simple horror than insanity and cult behavior.

[@biggussoupius9713]

Nah, by the time Mercer dies you've been fighting enhanced Slashers for 8 Chapters since the first one you encounter is in Chapter 2.

[@teetea7734]

I think the original death scene was better as it really ran with the idea that the marker takes the more unhinged aspects of your mind and cranks it to a 12 if you're not immune. However, Mercer's death in the remake, while not as good, is definitely more cathartic when you remember all the horrible things he willfully committed, not including terrorizing you and the remaining survivors with his beyond messed up experiments.

[@toxichudsoup1644]

Crazy how good the graphics are for the original that was from 2008. The remake looks so beautiful

[@jamesb1988]

Gotta give it to the original version for a couple reasons... 1. It's much creepier to think that the Necromorphs would ally with humans that were willing to help them/do their bidding. Not only does it display a higher level of intelligence, it adds a whole new aspect of "I'm in a group of survivors and know that anyone of us could betray the group" to the story. 2. Logically it made more sense as to how Dr. Mercer was able to survive for so long with no apparent weapon in the first game and minimal ones in the remake. If the Hive Mind is sensing that someone is assisting it then it leaves them alone, atleast until the inevitable moment where the helper is ready to join the collective. The remake unfortunately just makes him look like a religious rope-a-dope whose last moments of life were spent being betrayed by the entity he had given his entire life to. Just makes the Hive Mind seem less calculating/more brutish. Maybe they felt the need to differentiate the Hive Mind from Halo's Gravemind in that regard, but I dunno. In all honesty I wasn't even aware that was his death scene in the remake, I could have sworn we were gonna see him a bit later, horribly mutated and hungry for Isaac's blood. Ah well 🫤

[@jonm.678]

The OG feels more fitting to the Dead Space universe and tone. But the remake is more enjoyable because Mercer gets denied what he wanted and realized he’s just as screwed as everyone else.

[@therookie7401]

Remake Mercer death I like more. In the original he gets what he wants, becoming a necromorph, and while we do kill his necromoprh is isn't satisfying. But in the remake we see the Marker outright betray him, showing Mercer that the Marker, aka the Brethren Moons, don't care about him or humanity at all. In his last moments he probably realized that he was a tool and nothing more. Which is more satisfying because it wiped that smugness and such off his face.

[@Zelldic27]

in the og you could stop the convergence and then kill him yourself being fast enough, of course.

[@UghHimAgain]

I think so otherwise. He deserved worse and the remake portrayed his death horribly. I didn't even know he died until my brother told me days after I completed the game. The whole time time I was saying to myself "Where is mercer? I know we're suppose to encounter him again". He got off easy and I prefer the original since you essentially get to kill him twice.

[@ClonedGamer001]

You can technically deny him becoming a Necromorph if you shoot the Infector fast enough, but I do think his Remake death better since it instead of Issac denying him that, the object of his worship, the entire reason he's doing basically everything he's done over the course of the game, betrays him and discards him like the pawn he is.

[@reianvase6683]

Betray? Marker was never on their side to begin with. Original Mercer knows Marker sees all humans and living things as equal biomass. Remake Mercer thinks he is favored. In short, you are all idi-ots for thinking remake Mercer was written better.

[@Zappy_C]

@@UghHimAgain Dude was clearly crushed between the tentacle and the Marker with how he goes limp. They could've made it a bit more clear, but I don't think there's any way he could've survived that, my guy.

[@acdtiririca4120]

The remake is so loud for no reason, In the OG the loading screen disguised as a elevator gets interrupted by mercer out of nowhere, he makes you listen to his insane ramblings one more time, you think it's just a evil monologue, the camera zooms out and he dies, no transition, no musical stinger, no yelling, just a cultist killing himself in front of you, you also get to shoot his transformed body and THEN you get the musical sting, Inthe remake the Hivemind takes away your controller, Isaac is screaming, Mercer is doing his "evil doctor get's killed by his creation" routine (He didn't creater neither the Marker nor the Hivemind but you get the idea), The OG has so much restraint while the Remake is basically screaming "THIS IS A SCARY PART"

[@daveweinstock]

I mean in the original you didn't really have any "control" inside the elevator either. They're both practically the same thing.

[@Toreno2k]

@@daveweinstock You can interrupt his transformation if you're fast enough.

[@roastedgarlicberry6418]

I always found It ironic that Isaac was littarly 1 door away from killing mercer when this happened. I like the original death of mercer a lot more because it really shows the insanity has really gotten a graspe

[@seffers4788]

Seeing people turn in real time was always really creepy, can’t believe they went with something like this. It’s so hollywood-esque and takes you out of the experience taking the camera away from issac. When in the original the camera never leaves him. It does bring a different perspective to it and makes a lot of sense though. Amazing game

[@joebenson528]

The vast majority of modern (2012-present) game developers and writers are Hollywood rejects. The gaming industry was their last chance to make it big and they have ruined the industry as a result with their politics and poor design/creative choices.

[@alshaheen1841]

dr. Mercer was one of the best characters, but he was scary

[@jedigamer9935]

I liked the original and how you could stop him from becoming a Necromorph. You don't get out that easily. It's my kill. Now the remake gets rid of that option of letting the player have a chance at getting the kill.

[@jesusalejandrocolonfonseca4666]

The maker ignore merce in original and remake basically her is death

[@Boxghost102]

Yeah but you get to hear him screaming frustration as he's denied.

[@jordanscott4543]

The kill is better in the remake.

[@jedigamer9935]

@@jordanscott4543 I would still rather get the shot myself rather than watch the tentacle get him. No tentacle, you leave him to Issac.

[@Phendranaguardian]

@@jordanscott4543 What're you talking about? That shit was tame.

[@silentkore2114]

ngl, the video of him martyring himself only to then see his corpse being mutilated seconds later hits much harder than just crush by tentacle. Zealotry is a big theme in the DS universe, be it the Unitologist cult or Earth Gov.

[@user-pr1dh2bw6k]

I think the original death has much more impact because of the sense of expectation that you get before opening the door. You know what you will encounter there, it's just a matter of you opening that door.

[@brettyates7054]

I just think taking the ambiguity out of it and making Mercer realise his religions lied to him undermines the Dark tone that made the original special… though even with the original there were certainly inconsistencies with the functions of the Marker.

[@3loodyVengence]

I want that laser feature in the remake, when you aim a gun and each laser is independent

[@amoney1421]

His death happens so fast in the remake I genuinely forgot he died, i kept saying "when does mercer die??" He gets pulled off screen like he's going to come back later in the game

[@The__Struggler]

I’m the OG dead space I usually would kill the one that changes him before he changes to a necromorph. I’d then stomp off his limbs so that way he never got his dying wish to be one

[@kanjo4976]

The remake gives me the impression that everything everyone is doing is being manipulated by the marker. The only decision that we’re out of the marker’s interest we’re Kendra almost leaving with the marker (before convergence). And Isaac slam dunking the marker into the crater.

[@muffinman255]

The purpose of the marker in the lore is to manipulate species to complete the reproduction cycle of the brother moons so it checks out

[@NotceDragon]

I like the og mercer death better. Yes, he got what he wanted, but that's the scary part of the game of how far these crazies are going to go for their beliefs. You got these religious zealots that are so brainwashed to the idea of unitology that they are willing to let these monsters rip them apart and transform them while no sane person would let themselves experience such a painful death. It makes them more psychotic and mentally messed up. Especially if you think about it from a civilian life. Imagine being aboard a shop, and these crazed zealots come after you and/or your family cause they want "make you whole with them" and are willing to kill you or let in a monster in with you just for the sake of unitifying. Sadly the remake taking that part away just makes mercer look like a "oops guess I picked the wrong religion and now I'm dead" rather than "OH YES RIP ME APART AND MAKE ME WHILE WITH THE OTHERS SO I CAN SERVE YOU......YES DRIVE THAT SPIKE DEEP INTO MY BRAIN AND TRANSFORM ME TO YOUR WILL! If you like the remake version, nothing wrong with that, but personally, I feel they took away some things that gave that horrifying atmosphere that we love. Overall not a bad game and fun to play

[@WillieManga]

As ever, each version has its advantages. Mercer's death in the OG one was scarier to see how it corrupts one's mind and torments them. But since it already did that to Hammond in the remake, it decided to make Mercer die in fear. The original had more of a Lovecraftian end to Mercer, but the remake made it more satisfying to the player.

[@AH-is5yg]

Both versions where he was denied. In the original version, when I played it, I killed him before he had a chance to transform. In the remake, seeing get denied and got killed fits him for what he did.

[@nickengquist6514]

Why did they take away that iconic scream of pain from the hunter when you killed him with the engine?!

[@AveryHyena]

Same reason why they took away isaac's screams Screams are a no-no these days. Same reason why they took screams away in VHS.

[@hoobaloobgoobles4987]

@@AveryHyena VHS?

[@AveryHyena]

@@hoobaloobgoobles4987 Video Horror Society

[@br0dyj08n9]

It's to over the top on my opinion

[@Phendranaguardian]

@@AveryHyena I've noticed the gore factor has been toned down too. Its not absent, just more... Hollywood. If you get what I mean.

[@pauljordan0203]

huh, Mercer's death was a lot different from the original.

[@anarchohelenism]

the infector death was more memorable, but mercer being betrayed by the marker made more sense

[@lindinle]

It didnt even seem like betrayal.

[@thosemerc3113]

Made more sense? The entire point of their religion was to transform humanity into higher state of being. Why would he hesitate after going so far with it?

[@theOriginalRudeDude]

Stasis + DMX’s “X gonna give it to you” made for excellent revenge after that Hunter he sent after me.

[@mentalmalachy]

I've played through dead space 1 lots of times, I can't believe I never noticed that you fight necromorph mercer

[@ghostrecon1171]

Even if he survived being crushed by the tentacle, he would have slowly been decomposed alive.

[@optimusprime2890]

Why is it when a friendly alien shows up Humans abuse or kill them, but when a blatantly malicious alien shows up Humans work with or worship it.

[@DundG]

Marker signal, psychologic manipulation? The entite lore of Dead Space?

[@Kai9456Jojo]

In the original game when Mercer was infected and start mutating to a evolved necromorph (black) his transformation wasnt completed and he got to be deformed arms, legs and more weak than others variants, that's why he walking and running hardly. Isaac interrupted the infectator who was infecting him

[@AdamJZ21]

The lack of flatline makes me think he could have a role in a Dead Space 2 remake should Motive make it.

[@bronze1895]

I have a couple of problems with this like how the marker has a dead space field around it keeping away any necrotized tissue and turning it into sludge in proximity… and yet a necro tentacle can just grab it and haul it off somewhere else.

[@daveweinstock]

I think maybe the tentacle took massive damage picking up the marker. Like it could move it in short bursts.

[@frusty7217]

its the reverse its when the tissue gets too far that it becomes goop what the people believe in the story where being near the marker is like the eye of a storm which is quite the opposite its the worse place to be

[@Glornak]

@@frusty7217 There is in fact special safe zone around the marker that breaks down infected flesh and it's referred to as the "Dead Space". Literally the namesake of the series lol. In the remake it's actually present in game as necromorphs that get near the marker are dramatically slower and glow like they're being burnt. Presumably it's purpose in the lore is to prevent the pawns of the marker from dying to the DNA infection fuckery that slowly happens to everything outside of the safe zone.

[@bronze1895]

@@Glornak well i personally think it’s specifically a thing to keep necromorphs from harming the marker. But I also had a problem with this in the original with necromorphs getting close to the marker unharmed (presumably for gameplay reasons back in 2008) They fixed this in dead space 2 but for some reason while fixing all the the continuity errors they for some reason made this specific one worse in the remake by having a tentacle straight out grab it and drag it away in a cutscene not having anything to do with gameplay.

[@8aba_Yaga]

Original was way more horrific and creepy

[@Tm3films]

I thought he would show up again it wasn’t clear he died here

[@-Apoptos-]

Am I missing something? Even if Mercer dies, he’ll still be a part of convergence. The only thing he misses is the actual sight of it

[@Victor-056]

In the Remake, an Audio log related to Nicole reveals the marker _stopped_ Convergence entirely because Nicole found a way to communicate with the Red Marker, and begged it to stop. It would make sense as to why it does not attempt Convergence at any point in the game, even though it already has the biomass to forge a Brethern Moon, as Dead Space Remake implies that the Red Marker was trying to commit to Nicole's last wish, to prevent Convergence at all costs, which means destroying all potential carriers of the "Marker Signal" as well as itself.

[@-Apoptos-]

@@Victor-056 i highly doubt theres enough organic mass on the ishimura to create a moon. Surely its activation at the marker pedastal back on the colony shows it wasnt trying to destroy itself based on her wish, no?

[@Victor-056]

@@-Apoptos-It had more than enough considering the size of the leviathan, and the crashed Military ship of which its name I forget. Add in the Hivemind, and the Red Marker has more than enough biomass to trigger a convergence event. Yet it did not. Even if it "Boosted" itself on the pedestal, it could have commanded Isaac, who was now being hit with a full blast of the signal, to go back into space and command him to reengage the Tethers to stop the fall of the Asteroid... But instead, it commands the hivemind to kill Isaac, almost like it wants to prevent the spread of the signal at its own destruction.

[@-Apoptos-]

@@Victor-056 @Oberon056 supposing that the valor has the same crew capacity (wiki states only 67) as the ishimura, that would mean there were ~3000 people. Take the average human weight and thats ~42,000 pounds of organic material which isnt even 0.0001% of the weight of pluto. I simply dont believe that the Ishumura and Valor had more organic mass (post necromorph transformation) than the colony on Aegis VII

[@Furionic696]

Man this comment chain really shows how badly they fucked the lore in the remake

[@drew1481]

Original way better. Original characters conviction to unitology is unyielding. New one seems like he’s into unitology for some promised self benefit later on. Original Mercer was fully in on it, no matter what. He didn’t see humans as human beings anymore. That’s way more scary.

[@Danny2113182]

His new death scene was kinda unsatisfying... I thought his original death was perfect with how unsettling his belief is in transcendence to the end of whether or not he was granted that in his mind as he became another literally faceless necromorph. No higher evolved form of necromorph, just another slasher. All that his zealotry and betrayal of his species and the blood he spilled got him was the same result that would have eventually happened to him if he hadn't done any of those things. This new version just isn't as poetic not to mention that it's quite not made clear that Mercer is dead and gone and actually not coming back as anything. Which is poetic as well but while playing this game until the very end I was wondering if I'd see him again

[@csaino6480]

The only disappointment I have with the remake is that the deaths of "villains" are less intense than OG. Especially mercer erm.... Some people might ask if I'm blindly looking for gore, but you know, this is Dead Space hehe.

[@Hellraiser988]

Most look at it as a gore fest I always looked at it as cosmic horror where there is bigger problems then what's in front of you and you yourself is the biggest problem maybe even more so then the entity's on the ship

[@johncarldelossantos7345]

what the hell just happened to the RE.

[@subscorpion9560]

I like the remake more because he has a villainous breakdown as he’s angered with the hunter’s death and the marker denying his “ascension”, with him practically begging for his life.

[@jevilz9858]

I still don't get it in the game it is noted that the Marker and Hive Mind are in conflict, does that mean that the Hive Mind has his own will Or is he just a pawn? Because Nicole says the Hive Mind has to obey to the Marker.

[@tetota56]

Am I the only one who thought Mercer survived ? For a game like dead space, I expected him to be killed gruesomely like everybody else, or be transformed. I actually thought he just went unconscious the first time. I was disappointed

[@michaelw2263]

The original is better to me by a long shot simply because you have one of two choices. You can let Mercer get his wish and be turned into a nechromorph, OR, you can have the absolute satisfaction of stopping the transformation. Thereby making his whole purpose inert. And that is an amazing feeling. In the remake, the dude just dies and that's it.

[@Th1nkMemes]

everything in the remake is great but it feels like they doubled down on gorey parts of the game

[@ostinthyostrich679]

I hate to admit that I like the old death better. The triumphant music too is golden.

[@jukkahurskainen5192]

I love the OG, because you can run fast enough and kill the infector before it's done and f Mercer getting his wish! In my head cannon, Isaac was going "You dont get any convergence, you get a boot and another boot!" while stomping his corpse! I was expecting to find Mercer near the marker in the Cargo in DSR, and there being a similar chance of giving him the finger!

[@arragon5481]

What i like about the remake is that he is devoted what he wanted.

[@ArgoZuko]

Wait I didn't hear the flatline sound that others make when they die when Isaac is close by. Small oversight or maybe?

[@Alexey65536]

Eh, OG was so much better. Notice how humbly original Mercer accepted death. He actually believed that necromorphs were higher beings. Tranquility of a true believer. That's what made him much more terrifying.

[@drepdrained]

Makes more sense in the remake when you know what was going on fully

[@DropMidBy]

@@drepdrained what happen behind the scenes? cause all i remeber was him rambling about the marker and him being a general nuisance to my ears

[@armannstraughter3296]

Hm.

[@drepdrained]

@@DropMidBy Didn’t pay attention, that’s on you. Mercer wants to bring them and the Marker to Earth which is why he’s trying his best not to die so early.

[@EternalEmperorofZakuul]

@@drepdrained you know what? In the OG, the reason mercer wasn't attacked by necromorphs is because of his influence by the hive mind, because it knew he was valuable to help spread the infection. Like that lady in the colony who came under its influence, but wasn't attacked by the necromorphs as the colony was lost

[@KVeeeegamers]

Would’ve loved to see the flailing necromorphs when the heads are off on the remake version

[@unthoughtanomaly387]

Kinda weird how we didn't hear his rig flatlining in the remake. I mean Hammond got vaporized and we still heard his flatline.

[@marcemson1121]

That's just even more horrifying. That means he was only squeezed unconscious by tentacle and dragged down into the amorphous humongous necromorph-sludge in the cargo hold while still ALIVE and breathing... Imagine a fly slipping into a pitcher-plant's belly and you'll get the general idea regarding Mercer's ultimate fate here...

[@bloodysimile4893]

OG did this better. Unitologist have been show they aren't afraid of dying. Do everything in their power to advance markers goal. In og Mercer did everything he could to advance marker goal. After Iassc ruin his plan, Mercer give himself to nermorphes as it was last thing he can do to stop Iassc. Shown how much unitologists willing to go in life before offering themselves as last thing they can give in fulfilling the markers goal. The remake version feels more like trope that hurt unitologists to being hypocrite.

[@michaelcastell6149]

I saw the cutscene, didn't notice where he was and when I saw the flying parasite infecting bastard I killed it so quickly it stopped him from turning... I didn't even fucking know that was mercer and just walked past his corpse as if nothing happened. I'm too damn good

[@Kuen115]

I have decided to play all 3 dead space games (remake not included) and I missed this cutscene because I somehow clipped inside the elevetor and got crushed, respawned and there was no cutscene so I didn't know the corpse was that of the doctor 😂

[@emperorpalpatine3045]

I see the remake went the Dead Space 3 route with villan deaths.....

[@dx90o0]

I used to rush to mercer's transformation so I could shoot the reanimator before it changed him. Felt like it denied that bastard want he wanted the most.

[@charliehoss1614]

Anyone wonder the alien movie from 1979 the captain was Dallas.. one of the rigs you can get in the remake is Dallas. Any Easter egg? Or just coincidence?

[@azrieldalusong5042]

They could've just give him a brutal death just like in the og but nope, boring way it is.

[@azrieldalusong5042]

@Draze I'm talking about the way he dies. He gets his spine snapped and that's it.

[@guts-141]

@@azrieldalusong5042 it's more hilarious that he dies a painful slow death than just being the usual Unitologists ready to be dead and reborn He got what he deserved

[@guydangerus2468]

Better then a default turn animation.

[@kohank5938]

@Draze Why would the marker deny him then?

[@readytopay1488]

@@kohank5938 why the fuck does he even need him? He was just a puppet that's it, the brethren moons don't even care about someone's opinion

[@COSMICraven117]

both have a necromorph who were kind enough to let the cutscene finish

[@firefly5677]

I like both deaths. The original is iconic and still burned in my brain, but I do like how in the remake he is rejected and killed unceremoniously

[@Alex-ee5pl]

**hugs**

[@skchanneles]

On this remake Mercer couldn't beome a necromorph. They could just make us watch how the infector approach him, or even more, see how he injert a part of necromorph to himself while touching the Marker so we could see how extremly changes when is approach the signal of the marker, while Isaac is being grab to death by that tentacle.

[@cody3335]

The way he wasn’t given a glorious theatric death in the remake was definitely intentional. He just happened to be near the marker and got squished like a bug which was all he was to the creature.

[@lambo2655]

Are the Hunter encounters different in the original, do you eventually kill him the same way as in the remake.

[@spookyperson7096]

This is after you kill the Hunter, you can see Mercer looking at the remain of burned Hunter

[@degov5]

The infector in the original: "nah man, finish your speech, I'll hover here dramatically until you're ready."

[@senpai690]

I'm calling it now, Dr. Mercer is going to show up as that one random Regenarator Necromorph in Dead Space 2 remake.

[@LordofAoD]

I for one am glad that Dr. Mercer goes out like a bitch in the remake. Dude's already had all of his psycho religious moments by then. He deserves to learn that he was used by an unthinking and unfeeling being right before he dies.

[@Pyovali]

Now he is one with the marker

[@huluandebayman]

0:59 that triumphant music just as mercer dies XD

[@hectic105]

I feel as though this may not be the last that we’ve seen of Mercer in this remake universe. That wasn’t the most definitive of deaths that they changed it to and I can think of a couple ways they could possibly use him in Dead Space 2’s story. I dunno, just a feeling I got after seeing that.

[@ringring8938]

If so, might be a good thing. The original game he was memorable for being a insane cultist who the marker used till he himself embraced the convergence.

[@jamesb1988]

You may be on to something... the flat lining sound that plays whenever a human is killed is conspicuously absent.

[@arjuna6224]

I hope he returns as some sort of an enhanced necromorph boss fight in a Dead space 2 remake if they are making one that is.

[@E.Niggma]

Welp, Mercer got what he asked for. he is whole with the marker.

[@antobatta1551]

Soul Soulless

[@victornguyen1175]

I don't like the new one. Mercer's death in the original was him experiencing the same horrible thing he did to everyone. While he doesn't outright complain about what happen as he does in the remake (which I had trouble taking seriously, it's like N Cortex level goofy), the process of being Necromorphed is NOT painless as we know. It's unceremonious and ugly, and with Isaac we can just deny him from turning Necromorph entirely or kill him ourselves post-transformation. It quietly shows there's no glory or beauty in what he's doing in the end without having to tell us. No fanfare or spectacular moment, the same fate as everyone else on the damn ship. It feels way subtler and less direct about "hey look this bad guy got what he deserved". New one's straight out of Crash Bandicoot. Otherwise Remake was incredible.

[@listrahtes]

I dont mind Mercer just being killed of but the way the Remake did it makes it having no impact and thats just sad for a game were this is the main villain and its about suspense and horror. They could have made that far more impactful or just stayed with the original which is way more interesting as it leaves the choice to us if he gets consumed. Leaving it like this I am pretty sure that I wasnt the only one expecting it not to be his end but him returning in some way.

[@catastros654]

I´m glad that in both versions he is denied Convergence but I only wished that he suffered more in the remake, even a little bit of blood bursting out of his body would have been enough

[@claudiosevillano5899]

Mercer was Turned into a Necromorph Slasher!!?

[@Rammsteinfanboy2]

I'm curious are you Dead Space fans happy to get the OG Remake or are there any of you upset that there's no closure to the ending of 3's Awakened DLC?

[@Serucipe]

I'm definitely upset about not having closure, and I've never played a single Dead Space game.