You finally beat the Dead Space remake. You survived the USG Ishimura, watched Isaac Clarke go through absolute hell, and saw the credits roll. But honestly? You haven’t actually finished the game. Not really. Motive Studio added a little something extra that wasn't in the 2008 original: a secret ending that completely changes the vibe of the finale and bridges the gap to Dead Space 2. To see it, you need to collect Dead Space remake marker fragments.
It’s a grind.
There are 12 of these purple-glowing statues hidden across the ship, and you can't even find them on your first playthrough. That’s the catch. You have to jump into New Game Plus (NG+) to even see them spawn. If you were looking for them during your first run and felt like you were going crazy, don't worry. They literally weren't there.
Why the Marker Fragments Exist
The Marker isn't just a big hunk of space rock; it’s a psychological weapon. In the lore, it emits a signal that causes dementia, hallucinations, and, eventually, a murderous desire to create more "corpses" for the Necromorph outbreak. By collecting these fragments, Isaac is basically leaning into the madness. You’re not just scavenging; you’re obsessing.
Each fragment you pick up gives you a little snippet of dialogue—whispers, really. It’s creepy as hell. If you’ve played the sequel, you know Isaac’s mental state is... precarious. These fragments explain why. They show the transition from a guy just trying to survive to someone who has been "encoded" by the Marker.
Where to Find Every Single Marker Fragment
Don't expect these to be sitting in the middle of the hallways. Most are tucked away in corners or behind physics puzzles that you’d normally ignore.
Maintenance and Medical
The first one is in the Maintenance Office during Chapter 1. It’s on a shelf. Simple. But things get weirder fast. Once you hit Chapter 2, head to the Main Lab. You need to enter Dr. Kyne’s office. There’s a hidden room behind a bookshelf. Use your kinesis to move the books. There it is. It’s a nice bit of environmental storytelling because it shows Kyne was obsessed with the Marker long before you showed up.
Engineering and Communications
Chapter 3 takes you to the Engine Room. Look behind the power core. It’s dark, cramped, and exactly where you’d expect a cultist to hide a relic.
Later, in Chapter 4, you’ll be in the Bridge area. Specifically, the Break Room. This one is iconic. There’s a circle on the floor, and if you look around, you’ll see the fragment just sitting there. Fun fact: this room is also where you can perform a specific "ritual" (a series of stomps and punches) to unlock a secret log. The game really wants you to know that the crew of the Ishimura had totally lost it by this point.
The Depths of Medical and Hydroponics
Chapter 5 is where the Hunter starts chasing you, so it's easy to miss the fragment in Dr. Mercer’s office. It’s just sitting on the desk. Mercer was the guy leading the Unitology charge on the ship, so it makes total sense he’d have one.
In Chapter 7, you need to reach Tier 3 security clearance to find the fragment in the Mineral Samples room. This is in the Processing area. It’s tucked away on a shelf. I almost walked right past it because I was too busy looking for Necromorphs in the vents.
The Late Game Scavenge
By the time you hit Chapter 10, you’re probably exhausted. But you need to check the Deluxe Quarters. There’s a fragment in the Chief Steward's office. Then, in the same chapter, check the Inquiry Desks in the Comm Array area.
👉 See also: Why Call of Duty WWII Game for PC Still Matters Years Later
The final one—the 12th fragment—is in Chapter 11. It’s in the Cargo Bay. You have to use kinesis to move some crates in the corner. Once you have all 12, you might think the trophy will just pop. It won't. You have to actually do something with them.
The Ritual in Captain Mathius’s Quarters
Having 12 fragments in your inventory does nothing. You have to "deliver" them.
Head back to the Crew Quarters (Chapter 11). Find Captain Mathius’s office. There’s a table there with 12 candles and 12 slots. Place the fragments. You’ll hear a low, ominous hum, and Isaac will mutter something. This is the "point of no return" for the secret ending. Once you place them, finish the game as usual.
The final cinematic will be different. I won't spoil the visuals, but let’s just say Isaac seems much more... comfortable with the Marker than he did before. It’s a chilling performance by Gunner Wright.
What Most People Get Wrong
A common misconception is that you can collect these over multiple NG+ runs. You can't. You have to get all 12 in a single NG+ playthrough. If you miss one and move to the next chapter, and that area becomes locked, you might be out of luck depending on how far back your last save was.
Also, the fragments don't carry over if you start a fresh "New Game" from the main menu. It has to be the NG+ file linked to your completed save.
Another thing: the difficulty doesn't matter. You can do this on "Story" difficulty if you just want the lore. You don't have to suffer through "Impossible" mode to see the secret ending, though doing both at once is a great way to platinum the game in two sittings.
Is It Actually Worth the Effort?
If you're a fan of the lore, absolutely. The original 2008 ending was a classic jump scare. It was great for its time. But the remake's secret ending feels more "canon" to the overall trilogy. It explains the psychological toll the Ishimura took on Isaac. It makes his transition into the mental hospital at the start of Dead Space 2 make a lot more sense.
Plus, you get the "Marked" trophy/achievement. For completionists, that’s the real prize.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Run
To make this as painless as possible, follow this specific workflow:
- Start New Game Plus: Ensure you are loading your cleared save file.
- Keep a Checklist: Because the fragments don't show up on the map, it's very easy to lose track of whether you grabbed the one in the Engine Room or the one in the Lab.
- Don't Rush Chapter 11: Before you take the shuttle to the planet's surface (Aegis VII), you must visit the Captain's Quarters. If you leave for the planet without placing the fragments on the table, you've wasted the whole run.
- Manual Save Often: The remake is pretty stable, but you don't want a glitch or a missed room to force a restart. Use the save stations in every chapter.
- Check Your Key Items: You can see how many fragments you have in your inventory under the "Key Items" tab. Always check this before leaving a major hub area like the Bridge or Engineering.
Collecting the Dead Space remake marker fragments turns the game into a scavenger hunt through a nightmare, but for those who want the full story, it’s the only way to play. It changes Isaac from a victim of circumstance into a central figure in the Unitology mythos, whether he wants to be or not.
Once you’ve placed the final fragment and heard that unsettling chime, you’ll know you’re ready for the finale. Just remember: Make Us Whole.
Next Steps for Players:
- Open your map and verify which sectors are still accessible before triggering the Chapter 11 shuttle flight.
- Confirm you have 12 individual items in your "Key Items" inventory slot.
- Travel to the Crew Quarters and locate the shrine in the Executive area to trigger the final flags for the alternate ending.