In The Callisto Protocol, pilots Jacob Lee (Josh Duhamel) and Max Barrow (Jeff Shine) transport cargo between planets. Their routine flight is disrupted when Dani Nakamura (Karen Fukuhara) and her team board their vessel, resulting in a crash landing on the prison planet Callisto. Max is killed, and both Jacob and Dani are captured. Jacob finds himself incarcerated, awakening from a nightmare only to discover the horrifying reality: the prison has been overrun by zombie-like creatures. With chaos reigning, Jacob must fight to survive and uncover the truth behind the outbreak.
The Callisto Protocol is the brainchild of Glen Schofield, a key figure in the development of the acclaimed Dead Space series. As a devoted fan of Dead Space, my expectations for this title were understandably high. While The Callisto Protocol succeeds in many areas, it unfortunately falls short in a crucial aspect, which I will elaborate on further.
Visually, this is one of the most impressive games I’ve experienced in recent memory. The environments are richly detailed and captivating, enhanced by stylistic ambient effects such as smoke, fire, and copious amounts of blood and gore. The character models are remarkably realistic, accurately portraying the likenesses of the actors involved. Josh Duhamel, known for his role in Transformers, embodies the protagonist, while Dani Nakamura is brought to life by Karen Fukuhara, recognized for her performance in The Boys.
The protagonist navigates the claustrophobic corridors at a deliberate pace, with the constant threat of encountering a bloodthirsty creature lurking around every corner. Initially unarmed, survival depends on strategic evasion and calculated melee attacks. Players must utilize the left stick to dodge enemy attacks before retaliating with their weapon. Later in the game, firearms become available, introducing a targeting reticle and allowing for ranged combat. Each encounter is a brutal and visceral struggle, leaving the avatar visibly bloodied.
The game excels at creating a palpable sense of dread and horror. Prepare for a truly intense experience.
Despite its impressive visuals and terrifying atmosphere, The Callisto Protocol, at its core, is a game, and its gameplay mechanics lack the refinement evident in other aspects of the experience. The combat encounters become repetitive, leading to a sense of monotony as the player is forced to dispatch waves of similar creatures. Furthermore, the fact that a melee weapon deals more damage than a firearm feels counterintuitive and suggests an overemphasis on close-quarters combat.
The freedom to jump and climb is severely restricted, mirroring the limitations found in Evil West. Traversal is limited to predetermined locations, resulting in a linear experience that discourages exploration and player agency. Another point of concern is the static nature of the environment. Interactability is limited; even seemingly destructible objects like broken robots remain impervious to the player’s actions, contributing to a feeling of artificiality.
In conclusion, I offer a qualified recommendation for The Callisto Protocol. Its exceptional visual presentation and chilling atmosphere are undeniable strengths. However, the game’s repetitive mechanics and linear structure prevent it from achieving its full potential and earning a definitive “must-have” status.
Krafton provided a review code for this evaluation. Provision of materials does not influence editorial independence.
