The Callisto Protocol Reviews
I enjoyed the game and the visuals as I found the look and story very engaging but I did have abundant frustration with the slow controls and combat which caused some segments to be replayed more than I wanted.
The promise of The Callisto Protocol was left unfulfilled in one of the most unsatisfying horror games of the year.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
The Callisto Protocol is a beautiful audio-visual experience, but it is a hole in the water on both the gameplay and narrative sides. The game offers breathtaking settings, but this is not enough if the product lacks ideas and a well-calibrated combat system.
Review in Italian | Read full review
The scifi horror game can't escape it's clear insipiration but it might have been better for it to try something new, it's an enjoyable science fiction horror story if you can power through some of the rougher elements of the gameplay design.
I can’t help but think, if I liked this genre, if I liked Dead Space, I might be a bit kinder, and resonate with Callisto more, but in truth, the failings aren’t a complete result of the genre, in actual fact a lot of what I do respect is because of it. But rinse and repeat drab and clunky combat isn’t enough, it’s too big a deal not to leave a lasting negative impression on me.
The true horror behind The Callisto Protocol is how much it wants to be Dead Space without directly being tied to the franchise. The Callisto Protocol’s style and gameplay feel like hollow shells of what it’s trying to emulate, without any genuine, risky attempts to make the formula feel distinctly unique.
The Callisto Protocol could have been much more. It devoted too much to the cover and neglected the content. Still, it's an interesting game that will please a good part of the audience.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Technical issues aside, The Callisto Protocol is mostly forgettable.
The Callisto Protocol tries to feel like a horrogame from the very first moment, but lacks a bit of that suspense that you can find elsewhere. It all looks nice and rancid and it also plays well. The limited number of items you can take with you and not knowing whether you are closing yourself off from an area is less. Nevertheless, The Callisto Protocol provides a lot of hours of play, but it will not rank with games like Dead Space and Resident Evil.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
While the game has the same creative forces behind Dead Space, and many of the features are retconned into the game, it’s not quite lived up to my expectations. The game strikes me as a conglomerate of ideas, like a novel approach to dodging, a similar but different storyline, tough combat borrowed from challenging games like Dark Souls, packed into a beautifully presented game. But here’s the thing: all of these ideas sound great in isolation. But the execution here in The Callisto Protocol makes for an inferior gaming experience compared to other titles. It’s almost like all the devs got into one room and pitched a bunch of ideas, smushed them together, without anyone really thinking about their practical application. Is The Callisto Protocol a bad game? No, it isn’t. But is it great? No, it isn’t. Is it worth playing? Yes. But not at this price point.
The Callisto Protocol is about as close to Dead Space as it could possibly be without bearing the same name. And for many players that will be more than enough to leave them satisfied... Nevertheless, the more you play of The Callisto Protocol the more its flaws stand out.
Despite providing rich atmosphere with its stunning visuals and anxiety-inducing sound effects, The Callisto Protocol’s gameplay is frustratingly designed and its story feels almost like an afterthought which was quickly churned out through an online ‘survival horror game’ story generator. At least the Dead Space remake is coming out in January.
The Callisto Protocol is an exceptional horror adventure title. It will be hard for Dead Space fans to ignore the similarities, but it should be enjoyed on its merits. With slick combat, amazing aesthetics, and an incredible plot, this needs to be played.
I appreciate what Striking Distance has created for their first IP, and I’m excited to see where they take it from here.
Overall, it is a genuine sci-fi survival horror adventure that doesn't offer anything groundbreaking but does know how to please lovers of the genre. Despite its brief length, the game provides a satisfying survival horror experience in a range of settings, carried out by a superb cast. The Callisto Protocol may have been the finest horror game of the year if more effort had been spent fixing some of its issues.
The Callisto Protocol is a stunning and terrifying sci-fi experience worth getting scared over.
The Callisto Protocol has all the right ingredients for what could have been a phenomenal action-horror experience. Sure, it was still a great time, but repetitive combat and enemy designs mixed with a lacklustre story leave for a somewhat underwhelming experience but one that was dripping in atmosphere and phenomenal visuals. It’s not a disappointment per se, but maybe wait for a discount before tackling this one.
The Callisto Protocol is a good first shot at terrifying you in space. While not as scary as Dead Space, and lacking the same kind of satisfying combat, there is still fun to be had amidst the sometimes enragingly-unfair fights and odd story pacing. After just eight chapters, the adventure is over, as it doesn’t overstay its welcome. Things are also setup nicely for a sequel, should sales meet or exceed expectations, so with any luck Striking Distance will have another chance to deliver a more refined adventure that truly terrifies us.
From its character models to the futuristic sci-fi scenery I was pleasantly surprised throughout, even though I played on performance mode for that extra smooth gameplay I didn’t experience too many dips in frames and it still looked amazing. However, for the people who love that crisp image and don’t mind a lower framerate which appears to sit at a solid 30fps. There is a quality mode, giving you that extra fidelity, especially if you have a nice 4k monitor or TV with HDR.
With a proposal focused on terror, The Callisto Protocol succeeds in offering a solid, scary and addictive adventure. The battles are challenging and the setting is great, leaving that constant apprehension in each new corridor and room explored. It's not an absolute masterpiece, but it's certainly one of the best recent releases in the genre and deserves a place in your library.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review