dead space is one of the most important horror games of recent times. Even though the saga doesn’t have as many parts as resident Evil or silent Hill, the work of Visceral Games was enough to catapult it as one of the best in the genre. Ten years later and with a different studio, its creators launched Callisto Protocola game that will try to reclaim the survival horror throne.
New game from Striking Distance Studios. bet on a well-known formula. From the outside, this can be seen as dead space new generation or spiritual successor dead space 2 (if you skip the last game of the trilogy). Although the main elements are Callisto Protocol take one more step and proposes a sentence in which the main characters are fear and hand-to-hand combat.
The story is set 300 years in the future, where we take on the role of Jacob Lee, a pilot whose unexpected situation leads him to a maximum security prison on Jupiter’s moon Callisto. The Dark Iron Prison is the center of the story, a place where prisoners are transformed into terrifying creatures known as biophages. As expected, our goal will be to get away as soon as possible, and along the way to find out the reason why these mutations occur.
Callisto Protocol: constant deja vu
From a practical point of view, Callisto Protocol this is third person survival horror with a camera on my shoulder. Angle is similar to games like dead space, mass effect or god of War, while the speed is somewhat slow. Striking distance offers slow game pace to create more tensionwhich is expressed in leisurely movements and a character that sometimes seems “heavy”.
Jacob Lee (the main character) is an ordinary person, so we won’t have any special abilities other than improvisation and the weapons we find how the story unfolds. The game puts you right into the action without wasting time on cutted scenes or text screens. All what we learn is applied as we go; that is, you discover a weapon or item, and the game creates a situation to take advantage of it.
Picasso said: “Good artists borrow, great artists steal.” Well, why not rob yourself?
Glen Schofield, creator dead space and director of Striking Distance Studios
Although it is obvious that Callisto Protocol has the basics dead space, it would be inappropriate to consider it a clone or version 1.5 of the classic horror. The most obvious difference lies in hand-to-hand combat that creates more tension due to enemies being close. The control system allows you to dodge attacks and perform electric baton combos.
Firearms are not ruled out in the game, but the lack of ammo requires the user to alternate between both attack types. Callisto Protocol does not ask you to cripple enemies, although this will happen when you shoot or hit various areas. majority scenarios favor close combatalthough there are open environments where you can use other strategies.
Although the game is linear and the goals are fixed, levels are meant to be fully explored. Limited resources encourage you to deviate from the path and go through other corridors or rooms.
Less is not always more
In an interview with Ars Techniquedesign director Ben Walker stated that Callisto Protocol this is a survival game. For this reason, players will feel like they don’t have enough ammo or credits, although you have to go through and go through the game. This phrase is as accurate as possible, and at advanced levels you optimize everything you find as much as possible.
Unlike other games, weapons in Callisto Protocol they are not picked up from the floor. First you need to get the plans, which you will then take to one of the dozens of 3D printing stations. These rooms are a kind of safety room where the game is saved and a breather is taken. Here, users sell items that they pick up in the game, and in return receive money to improve their weapons.
We want the player to feel like they don’t have enough, even though they have enough to complete the game.
Ben Walker, Design Director Callisto Protocol
Despite the constant tension in the search for resources, inventory sometimes becomes the enemy. The developers have relied on grid system where there is never enough space and it makes you suffer during the first half of the game. Sometimes you find ammo but can’t take it because you have 3 health charges, a battery, or a valuable item that you will later use to upgrade your weapon.
The unpleasant thing is the randomness in which you discover items. There are times when you’re a hair’s breadth looking for a recovery pack, but all you find is ammo for a weapon you never use, or a cursed enemy that leeches on your neck and kills you. On the contrary, there are times when you find too many valuables, but there are no 3D printers nearby, and you have to do without them.
First class atmosphere and sound
One of the most notable features Callisto Protocol setting it up. From “clean” tutorial scenarios to areas full of blood, human remains and rot. Striking Distance Studios has paid special attention to lighting and other special effects so that it is the scene that tells the story and guides us through subtle messages.
Special mention for sound design. The player will not only look in all directions, but also listen carefully. Like dead space, sound is very important in this game, so we recommend playing with headphones and without distractions. Changes in the intensity of the music and background sounds can serve as hints, although sometimes developers simply use them to add extra tension to the player.
Graphically, the game is available in two modes: Fidelity with a higher resolution and special effects limited to 30fps, or Performance, which promises 60fps. Although there is some debate about whether 60 fps should be the standard in this generation.in my case i had no problem playing in Fidelity with blur during the first half of the year. Performance mode disables some post-processing effects, but does not affect the overall mood.
It’s worth it Callisto Protocol?
Callisto Protocol This is one of the biggest surprises of 2022.. the game is dead space which The Force Awakens this is New Hope. Veterans who enjoyed the original games will feel right at home, while new users survival horror good level.
The game it takes 10-12 hours to finish on medium difficulty and the passage of all scenarios. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have high replay value, as when you start a new game on a higher difficulty, you won’t be able to use your inventory from the previous session. This is very strange, since in the last mission you will unlock a weapon that you have no way to upgrade.
Two very important points It’s the inability to skip the cinematics and the checkpoint-based save system. Both become a nightmare when you are about to face a difficult boss or enemy and dialogue is involved. There is no quick save, and if a checkpoint was activated prior to using the 3D printer, you will have to go through the process of selling items or upgrading weapons over and over every time you die.
Usually, Callisto Protocol Highly recommended if you like horror games.. It’s available starting today on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows PC.
Source: Hiper Textual
