The Callisto Protocol - Detailed Review and Conclusion

Credits: Image Source - Krafton - Media/Screenshots

"The Callisto Protocol" is a survival horror and third-person shooter game developed by Striking Distance Studios and published by Krafton. 

In the plot, we follow the story of Jacob Lee, a cargo ship pilot who has been unjustly imprisoned. In this review, I will cover the main topics about the game.

What is the story and how does it develop in the game?

The game's story follows Jacob Lee, a cargo ship pilot who is unexpectedly imprisoned and sent to the maximum-security prison Black Iron, located on Jupiter's moon, Callisto.

Shortly after his arrival, the prison is overtaken by a mysterious infection that transforms inmates and guards into monstrous creatures. Chaos ensues, and Jacob finds himself in a desperate struggle for survival.

As the story unfolds, Jacob uncovers more about the origin of the infection and the hidden secrets of the prison. 

He receives help from other characters in the same predicament, but the oppressive atmosphere and frightening events keep the player on edge.

The plot blends psychological horror with science fiction elements, exploring themes like corporate control and human experimentation.

How does this title compare to Dead Space in terms of atmosphere and gameplay?

The Callisto Protocol and Dead Space share many similarities in terms of atmosphere and gameplay. Here are some of those similarities:

• Atmosphere: Both games feature a claustrophobic and oppressive setting with a focus on space horror. One is set in a prison on Callisto, while the other takes place on a spacecraft infested with necromorphs.

• Gameplay: Utilizing a third-person perspective, both titles combine melee combat with shooting. In the former, melee combat is more central, whereas the latter emphasizes long-range weapons.

• Levolution and Exploration: The game introduces mechanics for dismembering enemies and using the environment to your advantage, similar to how telekinesis is used in the other game to manipulate objects and enemy parts.

Is the game's focus more on action or horror?

The game aims to balance both action and horror, but it leans heavily towards horror. The game uses a dark and oppressive atmosphere with intense moments of psychological horror and sudden scares. The grotesque enemy design and claustrophobic environments create a constant sense of tension.

However, action also plays a significant role, with challenging combat involving both shooting and melee confrontations.

Credits: Image Source - Krafton - Media/Screenshots

How long does it take to complete the main campaign?

According to How Long to Beat, "The Callisto Protocol" requires about 10 hours to finish the main campaign and an additional 3 hours to complete its DLC, totaling 13 hours. I took around 17 hours to complete the game and its DLC together.

Are there options to adjust the difficulty in the game?

Yes, there are options to adjust the difficulty. Players can choose from different difficulty levels, allowing them to tailor the gameplay experience to their style and preference.

These options are ideal for those who want a more narrative-focused experience or those who prefer a more intense survival horror challenge.

What weapons and unique equipment are available during the journey?

Throughout the journey in the game, players have access to a variety of unique weapons and equipment that aid in surviving against monstrous threats. Here are the main ones:

• Stun Baton: A melee weapon that becomes essential for close encounters, offering powerful electrical attacks to neutralize creatures.

• GRP (Gravitational Restraint Projector): A gravitational pistol that allows players to manipulate objects and enemies from a distance, throwing them against walls, blades, or other environmental elements.

• Hand Cannon: A basic firearm effective at a distance, being one of the first long-range weapons players obtain.

• Riot Gun: A powerful short-range shotgun, ideal for intense close combat and dealing significant damage to more resistant enemies.

• Skunk Gun: A semi-automatic rifle that combines firepower and accuracy, useful for dealing with hordes of enemies at medium range.

• Grenades: In addition to firearms and melee weapons, players can use grenades to create explosions in enemy-infested areas, providing a strategic advantage.

Players can upgrade their weapons and equipment throughout the game using upgrade stations to enhance firepower, ammunition, and device efficiency, making them more effective against increasing challenges.

How are the graphics and environment design in the game?

The graphics are one of the game's highlights, featuring impressive and detailed visual design. Utilizing the Unreal Engine 4, the game delivers an immersive and realistic visual experience. 

The environments are highly detailed and atmospheric, focusing on claustrophobic and dark settings. 

The Black Iron prison, where much of the game takes place, is built with narrow corridors, security chambers, and industrial areas, creating a constant sense of tension. 

The environment design also incorporates space horror elements, such as abandoned locations, minimal lighting, and disturbing sounds.

Does the soundtrack and sound effects help create immersion in horror?

Yes, the soundtrack and sound effects play a crucial role in creating immersion in horror. They help intensify the oppressive atmosphere and increase tension at key moments.

Does the game feature puzzles, or is it focused solely on combat?

While there are some challenges related to exploring the environment, such as finding paths or activating mechanisms, the game does not feature elaborate puzzles as a central part of the gameplay.

These minor challenges are generally integrated into the game's flow without disrupting the pace, keeping the focus on intense combat and the horror atmosphere.

Are there elements of exploration, or is the game more linear?

The Callisto Protocol combines elements of exploration with a predominantly linear structure. 

While the narrative and level design guide the player from one area to another, there are still opportunities for exploration that add depth to the experience.

Credits: Image Source - Krafton - Media/Screenshots

Does the game offer character customization or skill upgrades?

Yes. There are several options for character customization and skill upgrades, allowing players to adjust and enhance their abilities throughout the game, as well as their appearance to suit their preferences. Only a few skins are available in the game, though.

Are there any technical issues or bugs reported by players?

The game does not receive significant updates at present. The last update for bug fixes occurred on July 25, 2023. Regarding DLC, the game features a DLC called "Final Transmission", which I will detail further in the conclusion.

Is the save system manual or checkpoint-based?

The save system is checkpoint-based rather than manual saving. This system places automatic save points at specific locations throughout the game, usually after significant events or overcoming major challenges.

Is there any multiplayer mode, or is the focus entirely on single-player?

No. The Callisto Protocol was designed as a fully single-player experience, with no official multiplayer mode available.

Does the title support advanced technologies?

Yes, the game supports advanced technologies to enhance visual quality and the overall gaming experience. 

The game utilizes ray tracing to improve lighting and visual effects, creating more realistic lighting, detailed shadows, and more precise reflections. This contributes to a more immersive and visually impressive atmosphere.

NOTE: You need hardware compatible with the technology to take advantage of the graphics feature.

Conclusion.

"The Callisto Protocol" is a horror game that combines elements of exploration and bloody combat. However, there are some issues worth mentioning. The first and most controversial problem is its ending.

To discover the true ending of the game, you need to purchase the "Final Transmission" DLC. This decision angered many players, and rightly so.

The second issue was Denuvo (which has since been removed in a patch this year). Denuvo is technology designed to protect digital products from reverse engineering and copyright infringement, preventing piracy and ensuring more sales for developers, especially during the launch period.

The problem is that Denuvo usually comes with hardware demands, negatively impacting the game's performance.

The Callisto Protocol is poorly optimized, and since I played before Denuvo's removal, I experienced severe performance issues when using advanced technologies like Ray Tracing, despite having powerful hardware (see here for my hardware).

Aside from these issues, the game has a highly engaging narrative that keeps players invested from start to finish, eagerly anticipating Jacob Lee's fate.

The game became free on Epic Games at the end of August. If you got the game for free, it is worth playing, especially if you are a fan of the Dead Space franchise, as many claim there are many similarities between the games. 

Since I haven't played Dead Space, I can't confirm. If you're interested in watching some gameplay, I'll leave my YouTube playlist here.