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Hold onto your plasma cutters, everyone! Dead Space 2's multiplayer pits humans versus Necromorphs in an epic struggle for life and limb. Quite literally, of course.

According to a hands-on preview over on Joystiq, the multiplayer component comprises of a 4-on-4 objective-based mode across five maps that sounds somewhat similar to Left 4 Dead's own Versus mode. Basically, four human engineers (worst job in the Corcordance Extraction Corp., apparently) must work together to locate and retrieve pieces of a bomb, detonate it in a designated area, and finally escape. Obviously enough, they're going to be constantly harassed by a team of Necromorphs.

The Necromorph side features four classes, three of which were in play for the preview event - the Pack, Spitter, and Lurker. Each Necromorph is rather inefficient on its own, even coming up against a single isolated engineer, so teamwork and tactical class synergy is essential.

The mode also features levelling, with unlockable weapons and other gear for the engineers, and more powerful abilities for the Necromorphs.

Dead Space 2 set to launch on 28 January 2011. In the meantime, check out the multiplayer teaser trailer below: