all games are not created equal

Survival horror as a genre is difficult to get right, but both of these games manage to nail it. In the end, though, System Shock 2 really keeps up a more tense and frightening atmosphere that keeps getting more twisted as the truth of the story begins to unfold in front of you. Dead Space's dismemberment feature is interesting and gives standard shooters some strategy, but after a while it starts to feel a little routine. RPG elements are better defined, there are a greater variety of enemies, and of course co-op is always a plus.