The critically acclaimed Dead Space Remake introduces several fresh narrative surprises for veteran fans, most notably a hidden alternate ending that expands the lore of Isaac Clarke's nightmare. Unlocking this secret conclusion requires players to dive into New Game Plus mode and search the dark corridors of the USG Ishimura for elusive obelisk shards. Tracking down every single piece demands a keen eye, as these items are tucked away across multiple chapters and ship sections.

Prerequisites for Finding the Fragments

Before hunting for these hidden items, you must successfully complete the main story on any difficulty setting to unlock New Game Plus. The special collectibles will only generate during your second playthrough, meaning they cannot be found during an initial run. Finding all twelve pieces allows you to trigger an eerie ritual in Captain Mathius's quarters before completing the final chapter.

The tracking process spans almost the entirety of the ship, meaning you must stay vigilant from the early stages of the game. Missing a single piece will lock you out of the special finale, forcing you to restart the narrative loop from the beginning. Many survivors find it helpful to look for a faint purple glow in dark corners while exploring the eerie USG Ishimura decks.

Early Chapter Locations on the Upper Decks

The first few pieces are scattered across the Maintenance Bay, Medical Clinic, and Engineering quarters during the opening acts. In Chapter 1, you can spot the initial shard resting on a shelf inside the Maintenance Bay office near the data board. Moving into Chapter 2, the next collectible sits on a desk within the main office of Dr. T. Kyne hidden behind a movable bookcase.

As you progress into Chapter 3, the third piece awaits inside the Engine Room, tucked quietly behind the primary power matrix structure. Chapter 4 leads you to the Bridge, where you can find the fourth shard sitting on a break room table on the administration floor. These early items are relatively straightforward to collect if you explore each room thoroughly before moving the main plot forward.

Mid Game Shards in Medical and Hydroponics

The hunt intensifies during the middle chapters as Isaac explores the deeply infected lower facilities of the mining vessel. The fifth piece spawns during Chapter 5 inside the office of Dr. C. Mercer, resting directly on the desk near a specimen jar. A separate piece can also be discovered during this same chapter hidden within the cryogenics chamber room on top of the central containment unit.

Chapter 6 moves the survival action toward Hydroponics, where the seventh shard rests on top of a locker in the East Grow Chamber. In Chapter 7, you will need to utilize your kinetic abilities inside the Mineral Processing area to pull the eighth item off an elevated shelf. Collecting these pieces requires dealing with intense ambient threats, so ensuring your weapon upgrades are current is highly recommended.

Final Fragments and Triggering the Alternate Ending

The remaining shards are located within the Communications Hub, Crew Quarters, and Cargo Bay areas during the final sequence of the adventure. Chapter 8 contains the ninth piece floating inside the zero-gravity Communications Array room near the corrupted fleshy growths. Chapter 10 holds two more collectibles, with one located on a desk in the Deluxe Quarters and another sitting on a table in the Chief Steward's office.

The final fragment is discovered during Chapter 11 inside the Cargo Bay, resting on a metal shelf in the southern corner of the room. Once all twelve pieces are safely in your inventory, head to the Executive Quarters on the Crew Deck before taking the shuttle to Aegis VII. Place the artifacts on the strange table shrine inside Captain Mathius's room to successfully secure the secret ending.