The Callisto Protocol

The Callisto Protocol is unmistakably inspired by Dead Space, from the over-the-shoulder perspective to the grotesque enemies and claustrophobic corridors. It doesn’t try to hide its roots, but instead builds on them with its own lore and setting in what appears to be a separate universe.

The story is about what you'd expect from this genre: nothing groundbreaking, but solid enough to carry the experience. It’s serviceable, occasionally predictable, but never dull. The atmosphere, however, is where the game truly excels, sound design is outstanding, and the environmental detail pulls you into its grim world effortlessly. If you enjoy sci-fi horror, you’ll likely find yourself immersed despite the familiar tropes.

A major caveat is that the full narrative experience requires the story DLC, which feels like content that arguably should have been in the base game. It’s not surprising given today’s industry practices, but still disappointing. Unless you're picking it up on sale, the DLC doesn’t offer enough value at full price.

The game opens strong, high tension, intriguing setup, but eventually slips into a loop of repetitive encounters. While Dead Space also suffered from some of this, it had deeper lore and a more gradual narrative reveal that kept things interesting. The Callisto Protocol lacks some of that layered storytelling, and the pace flatlines in the second half.

That said, I enjoyed my time with The Callisto Protocol. It's a visually polished, atmospherically rich experience that delivers what it promises: tense, violent sci-fi horror. It’s not the next evolution of the genre, but it’s a worthy entry, especially if you’ve been craving more after finishing Dead Space.