Electronic Arts announces the release of Dead Space 3 in North America for Windows and consoles, saying that this will be followed next month by the release of Awakened, the first DLC for the third-person shooter sequel:

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – Feb. 5, 2013 – The tense, frightening and action-packed fight against the Necromorphs returns – but this time gamers don’t have to go at it alone! Visceral Games™, an Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA) studio, today announced that Dead Space™ 3, the first big entertainment blockbuster of 2013, is now available at retail stores in North America and on Origin.com. Heralded by more than 30 press outlets including USA Today, Forbes, NBC News and IGN as one of the most anticipated games of 2013, Dead Space 3 introduces an innovative drop-in/drop-out feature, all-new weapon crafting system and takes players on a thrilling ride through the terrors that lie hidden in deep space and the unforgiving ice planet of Tau Volantis. Dead Space 3 is an International hit having received a 9.0 from Multiplayer.it in Italy, 9.0 from AusGamers in Australia, 8.8 from 3DJuegos.com in Spain and a 9.75 from Game Informer magazine in North America. As a result of these four, the game is launching with an average score of 91, and being raved by Game Informer magazine who said Dead Space 3, “[is] one of the best games of this generation.”

Visceral Games also announced today that gamers can extend this brutal adventure in March with Dead Space™ 3 Awakened, an all-new digital download pack. In Dead Space 3 Awakened, players will experience the franchise’s darkest chapters as the Necromorph battles become even more gruesome and terrifying than ever before. The pack will be available in March on the PlayStation®Network and PC via Origin.com for $9.99 and Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for 800 MS Points.