The Callisto Protocolwas one of the most anticipated horror games of 2022. Directed byDead Spacecreator Glen Schofield, it seemed like the long-awaited sequel many of us so sorely wanted. Keep in mind that it was announcedbeforetheDead Space remake, so at the time it was the only Event Horizon-esque horror fix waiting for us on the, er, horizon.
When the game dropped,it was a disappointment, but nowhere near as bad some made it out to be. Especially after launch with updates, add-ons, and the surprisingly good Final Transmission DLC, The Callisto Protocol is a solid horror game at this point, even with its flaws.
Let’s start with the main criticism that many have against Callisto - melee combat. Particularly the overreliance on it. Many players understandably go towards melee, as the opening areas don’t have a ranged option, and even when you get a gun, ammo is sparse. However, that’s only for the first couple of hours. After that, ammo is more plentiful. This is largely due to a gameplay element absent inResident Evil 4but present in Dead Space. You can buy ammo, and it’s pretty cheap too.
you may absolutely play Callisto just like Dead Space, and it’s way more fun than using melee combat the entire game. I think a lot of people take the melee route as the most optimal strategy, but why do so if it’s not enjoyable? Even at launch, I had a pretty good experience with Callisto, faults and all, mainly because I used guns 90 percent of the time. It’s also likely people missed some of the better weapons that are hidden, like the Skunk Gun. It’s a much better shotgun than the default Riot Gun.
Striking Distance also didn’t give up on this game, as the updates and added content more than deliver. So much was added, including two new difficulty modes, a horde mode, and New Game Plus, although that last one definitely should have been included at launch. Then there’s Final Transmission.
You know how some DLC is better than the core game itself, with Bioshock 2: Minerva’s Den being the most famous example. Final Transmission is definitely in that camp. A lot of people didn’t like the ventilation shafts used as hidden loading screens, primarily during the game’s first half. I’m in that camp as well, since it got so boring and overused even after a few short sequences.
This DLC mixes it up, and you’ll find some surprises in the vents this time. Level design is also improved, with more optional paths to go through. Even the melee combat is stronger thanks to the Kinetic Hammer. This weapon is brutal and has the ability to perform a charged ground slam attack that does some serious damage.
Final Transmission also houses the finest moment in the entire game. A long hallway near the end throws an absolutely ridiculous number of enemies at you. No matter if you’re blasting hordes of enemies with your Assault Rifle or killing multiple at once with a hammer ground slam, it’s a total blast. Even the final boss doesn’t suck this time around.
It’s sad when looking at the low coverage of the DLC and the general disinterest when it came out in June. Final Transmission showed what The Callisto Protocol could have been, and Striking Distance could definitely make a sequel that blows us away. Unfortunately, that’s very unlikely to happen now due to Callisto underperforming in sales and the studio suffering from a number of layoffs. Not to mention Schofield has also bailed.
The Callisto Protocol wasn’t that bad. If you know how to make the most of your guns, you’ll have a good time, especially with the complete package. Riot Mode and Final Transmission are probably the two best parts of the whole experience. Don’t let the negative reception dissuade you from checking it out.
