Despite not having any formal weapons training,Dead Space’s protagonist Isaac is still adept at wielding various engineering tools.Isaac Clarke is a ship systems engineerafter all, and working with dangerous machinery is just part of the job. To this end, Isaac is proficient in using everything from his trusty Plasma Cutter to the more heavy Force Gun.
However, the strongest weapon in theDead Spacefranchise isn’t an engineering tool. It isn’t even a gun. Provided players can beat the games on their hardest difficulties, they are often rewarded with the overpowered, overfoamed Hand Cannon.
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TheHand Cannon is a joke weapon inDead Space 2and 2023’sDead Spaceby completing each game’s hardest difficulty mode. This is the Hard Core mode forDead Space 2and the Impossible mode forDead Space. Both modes pose their own challenging stipulations that make them difficult to complete but doing so rewards players with the strongest weapon in the game world.
Assuming the form of sports paraphernalia, the Hand Cannon is an infinite ammo foam finger that is capable of taking down almost all enemies in a single shot. Pressing the primary fire button causes Isaac Clarke or Gabe Weller (depending on if players are going throughDead Space 2’sSeveredDLC) to fire a single invisible shot in front of them as they shout the word “Bang!” with gusto. Pressing the secondary fire button has the same effect as the primary fire button, only this time Isaac and Gabe shout “Pew!” instead.
Considering players can only complete the Hard Core and Impossible modes for the first time with a fresh game (meaning no New Game +), being given the strongest weapon inDead Spacefeels justified. After spending hours carefully allocating resources and rememberingeach Necromorph jump scare and spawn location, getting to play the game with an overpowered weapon is just the catharsis players need. Due to the infinite ammo and rapid-fire capabilities of the Hand Cannon, running throughDead Space 2and 2023’sDead Spacewith the weapon is a breeze. The survival horror elements of the games quickly become obsolete as players blast through standard enemies and bosses with a comically bright red foam finger.
One Hand Cannon Is Not Like The Other
Strangely enough, each version of the Hand Cannon comes with its own advantages and disadvantages.Dead Space 2’s Hand Cannon has a wider area of effect but doesn’t have a crosshair to help with aiming. The weapon also causes volatile enemies like Pregnants to drop their Swarm payload. On the other hand,Dead Space2023’s Hand Cannon has a much smaller area of effect when Isaac fires it. It pretty much mimics the dot reticle that it projects, forcing players to be more accurate if they want to kill enemies in a single shot.
This doesn’t count the similar The Devil Horns weapon found inDead Space 3. Acquired after beating the game once and then playing it again on Classic mode in New Game Plus, players can receive the spiritual successor to the Hand Cannon. While just as strong as the Hand Cannon, The Devil Horns consumes the game’s universal ammunition and can be upgraded using Circuits.
Whilethe Plasma Cutter isDead Space’s most iconic tool, players shouldn’t discount the Hand Cannon’s contributions toDead Space. Everyone should at least attempt to get the weapon at least once to experience the excitement and release it provides in an otherwise grim world. Maybe Isaac Clarke wouldn’t have such a hard time fighting Necromorphs if he brought a foam finger on his adventures instead of engineering tools.
Dead Spaceis available on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
