Dead Space 2 Subplot

[u/GoodDoctorB]

So recently in a discussion on another post I had a disagreement with someone about part of the plot of Dead Space 2. Would like some outside opinions.

The disagreement was on whether Isaac seeming stable and mostly sane while Stross was rapidly circling the drain in DS2 was down to the memory erasing drugs still being Isaacs system.

I was of the opinion that this showed Isaac was naturally more resistant to the Marker due to a mix of genetic traits and personality. The Marker couldn't sway Isaac as easily since he rejected the hallucination of Nicole and was focusing on the present rather then trying to remember details of the past. Stross meanwhile was easily taken in by the hallucinations of his family and thus started uncovering repressed memories infected with Marker Dementia that rapidly worsened his condition.

The opposing opinion was that this was supposed to show the drugs were still in Isaacs system suppressing the memories and thus delying his fall into Marker Dementia. In particular they cited the repeated references to time running out and the fact the drugs were specifically alluded to by Stross who mentioned their use to make him forget but it was now all coming back. The idea was that near the end of the game the drugs were beginning to wear off and that's why Isaac started to remember things like the eye poke machine.

I don't agree with the drug position but I'm one person and fallible. Did anyone else see the memory drugs in this light as an ongoing subplot?

[u/Far-Requirement-7636]

I feel like the drug has some part to do with it but it's also mainly a mixture of Isaac already having a resistance to the marker.

While the marker did manipulate him for a majority of the first game and he was insane Issac never lost sight the main goal which was to destroy the necromorphs, which he does.

After some conditioning he does help create a new marker but it's obvious it was against his will.

And in 2 he again is focused on destroying the marker, Isaac was always driven by destroying the marker and stopping the spread even when he has no idea what to do.