The Callisto Protocol Reviews
All in all, it may sound like I’m really down on The Callisto Protocol, and in some ways, I am. For those who were expecting the next Dead Space, I’m sad to report that The Callisto Protocol just isn’t quite it. Instead, Striking Distance Studios has crafted a largely by-the-numbers horror-action title with terrific presentation that could’ve been something truly special. Unfortunately, while your journey across the titular dead moon is a sporadically fun and entertaining ride, it fails to authentically push the genre forward in any meaningful way. Still, despite all that… at least you get to stomp on stuff, right? Phew!
The Callisto Protocol is a competent survival horror game but a poor man's Dead Space, making it only worth it for those diehard fans of the genre.
I can't recommend it, and despite some good times, these are not enough to make you forget your obvious shortcomings. Linear by the negative, without extra challenges (puzzles), is to go get a certain thing to open something else with some monsters along the way. There is a lack of exciting content and moments of apotheosis. Because of the lack of time or because there was no more budget, I know that The Callisto Protocol is a job with a huge burden on its back, Dead Space. Sometimes it feels like a finished job in a hurry to get into the upcoming Christmas-season sales window. I'm really sorry.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
A technically impressive action horror game, The Callisto Protocol gets stuck in orbit.
As a spiritual successor, the game adopts many traits that are similar to Dead Space. The HUD is implemented within the design, the limbs of your opponent can be blown away and the tight camera obscures your view. While comparisons are expected, The Callisto Protocol does differ. The melee-focused combat cranks up the intensity of encounters but ultimately stumbles when facing numerous enemies. Some may not like the linearity but I felt that this helped with the pacing of the game and the effectiveness of scares. Although it never reaches the heights of its predecessor’s first two outings, it still offers a trembling trek through a terrifying detention center.
The game’s dedication to graphical fidelity feels like a blinder to thinking outside the box in every other regard. It can’t help but feel like intensive overcompensation for inconsistent, tension-less stealth, one-note combat, level design that doesn’t reward exploration, generically fleshy enemies, upgrades that don’t reward experimentation, and ineffective jump scares, from enemies that get cheap hits in on Jacob every single time, regardless of how well-prepared the player is. Much has been made of the fact that this was meant as the heir apparent to beloved survival horror series Dead Space, a game that, 12 years later, can still induce goosebumps just from its terrifying attract sequence. By contrast, if not for its graphics, The Callisto Protocol feels like a relic from 1998, undone creatively even by the decaying likes of Shadow Man.
The Callisto Protocol is an impressive first release from Striking Distance Studios with sublime visuals and immersive 3D audio, all set in a captivating new game world I just have to see more of. The performance on PS5 is exceptional: buttery-smooth frame rates, crisp 4K resolution and one of best implementations of ray tracing and DualSense features I've seen yet. If only the combat was better this would be a near-perfect outing, but alas that aspect needs some major reworking.
The Callisto Protocol is what happens when Developers don't fully utilize thier game's potentiality. poor story, disappointing character development, ample Level Design issues like the excessive Encounters and enemies has held the game back considerably. That being said, I enjoyed my experience in Callisto nonetheless. if you're a die hard fan of linear Survival Horror games, you will have a blast playing The Callisto Protocol.
Review in Persian | Read full review
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.
I appreciate what Striking Distance has created for their first IP, and I’m excited to see where they take it from here.
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 Callisto Protocol looks stunning and can offer small doses of fun, but from misguided gameplay choices and hyper-linear design to ineffectual attempts at horror and a bland story, it stumbles and disappoints in too many ways to be labelled as anything but a disappointment.
The combat, when it’s clicking, is genuinely fantastic for a more action-driven horror title. But much of what is built around that combat lets it down: the pacing and atmosphere are largely non-existent; the level design, UI, and checkpoint system are very player-unfriendly; and there just aren’t enough set pieces and gameplay diversions to prevent the combat from getting somewhat repetitive by the game’s end.
The Callisto Protocol has intriguing ideas but its unsatisfying combat and linear level design prevent it from being the Dead Space spiritual successor we hoped for.
The Callisto Protocol isn’t scary. It isn’t fun. It isn’t entertaining, fascinating, or mildly enriching. It lays a self-entitled claim to Dead Space’s stylistic and mechanical elements yet wields not a single one with grace, instead performing a crude pantomime.
The Callisto Protocol shines best in its visceral, moment-to-moment combat, which strikes a good balance between feeling tense, and intuitive. What lets it down is a story that feels a little too unfinished and a few design choices that stick out like a sore thumb in this day and age.
With such a rushed story and sloppy mechanics, The Callisto Protocol betrays the legacy it was built upon.
The Callisto Protocol isn't going to go down as a survival horror classic that some were expecting, but it might go down as an entertaining, technically brilliant way to spend a few afternoons across its roughly 8-10 hour journey. It's elevated by superb visuals and atmosphere, and an engaging combat system that really opens up once you learn its rhythm.
The Callisto Protocol has a lot of care to make it a more unique experience than just being another third-person shooter.
