Paid sci-fi survival horror
The Callisto Protocol is a premium adventure game from Striking Distance Studios. This third-person experience combines elements of science fiction to bring a unique take on the survival horror genre. You start out as an inmate in a maximum-security penitentiary in space, the Black Iron Prison. As an unexpected event breaks out, you will be tasked with surviving and escaping, all while discovering the secrets of the secure prison.
Its excellent use of atmospheric horror, well-timed character encounters, and top-tier visual quality make The Callisto Protocol a modern classic. It feels like a spiritual successor to Dead Space 2 and Dead Space 3.
Discover Black Iron and survive
The premise for The Callisto Protocol revolves around the seemingly mundane life of Jacob, an inmate brought to Black Iron Prison. This location is soon invaded by alien-like creatures who start attacking inmates and other personnel. Similarly, there are also machines and augmented humans who serve as the wardens of the location. These elements create a mixture of organic and cybernetic, and each of them presents unique challenges.
As mentioned, its graphics alone is enough reason for players to check it out. Its location is extremely detailed and there are a couple of elements that offer lore or interaction in ways you were not expecting—making it necessary to keep an open eye. Additionally, the characters in this game are well-designed, especially the monsters. At certain points in the game, these creatures look realistic, making the game more immersive.
However, action-focused fans might not receive the game well because of its lack of fighting mechanics, at least for a good part of the early game. Additionally, it also includes certain puzzles that need to be solved—with some of these puzzles being unusually difficult. Accept that you will fail a couple of times and the entire game becomes more bearable.
A quality horror experience
Overall, The Callisto Protocol delivers a memorable sci-fi horror experience. By building on the limited action capabilities and leaving the player feeling helpless for a good part of the game, it manages to drive fear while also stressing the need for a methodical gameplay approach. It leverages the available technology to deliver stunningly amazing graphics, which further elevates its status in both horror and science fiction circles.
