The hive mind and the marker are two separate entities.

The necromorphs aren't created by the Marker, but actually created from DNA transcripts on the outside of the marker.

Scientists on Aegis VII made the first infection in a petri-dish using the DNA sequence found on the marker. They accidentally get infected by it and it spreads through out the planet.

The marker, when in place, actually stops the Hive mind from working. But when the Ishamura removed it from the planet, the hive regained control.

As for why some people have more sanity than others, I believe it has to do with their mental strength. Stronger people retain more sanity, while weaker minded people succumb more.

In regards to the doctor:
http://deadspace.wikia.com/wiki/Challus_Mercer

That makes more sense, thanks Spike.

I think Challus' purpose is more about just having a back story to the Hunter necromorph than actually being anything important.

My face when I played Dead Space 2 last night:

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...f?t=1296107675

Anyone played the PC version yet?
Have they addressed the controls issues from the first 1, which they said they would?

I havent played deadspace, is it like system shock 2?

Just stumbled across a review from PC Gamer:
A very good score.

http://www.pcgamer.com/2011/01/25/dead-space-2-review/

Dead Space is very much a survival horror game with virtually zero RPG elements. SS2 is what I call a RPG horror game. As a survival horror game, Dead Space does what it does very well.
There was a faint rumour that Dead Space was going to be called System Shock 3...

Sounds like doom 3...

Much much better than Doom.
In every way.

I want to know this, too.

It amazes me that not one PC review of DS2 has even mentioned this. It's like a conspiracy or something.

Full Review

****ing franchises. :damn:

So it isn't monsters jumping out and saying boo?

I didn't think that console games could be scary, might have to reconsider.

I think you happened to only pick out the bad parts of the review, the rest of it is actually quiet good...
to be fair.

Well, it's a little more complex than that :O:

I highly recommend DS 1, No. 2 will be even better me thinks, can't wait to play it.
check this gameplay footage out of DS 2, looks awesome, crappy quality video though:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBUWXyE7I4w

It can and it is. The ambient noise and lighting make it scary. I remember walking around the Ishimura's bridge in DS1 and still being scared despite it being the most well lit section of the entire game.