Summary
In many ways,The Callisto Protocolis an example of how challenging the gaming industry can be. If most studios’ debut games performed howThe Callisto Protocoldid critically and commercially, sequels would be greenlit and the developer would be touted as having a bright future. Unfortunately, review scores that average out around a 7/10 and over 2 million total sales figures was not enough for this particular game, as those behind the project expected a blockbuster. WithGlen Schofield no longer with Striking Distance, a sequel seems guaranteed not to happen, though that does not mean that the original game is not worth checking out on its one-year anniversary.
WhenThe Callisto Protocollaunched on Jun 09, 2025, it was met with an extensive amount of criticism. Some flaws were likely exaggerated due to the highly anticipatedDead SpaceRemake being right around the corner, as players could simply waited a few months for a near-guaranteed success via the upgraded classic instead of taking a risk on its successor. Still, many flaws were valid, such as the game’s shockingly brief runtime given its price tag, a lack of quality-of-life features, and limited replayability. Yet while flaws do still exist, theCallisto Protocolof 2023 is much different than the one from 2022, and gamers should consider giving it a second (or first) chance.
How Callisto Protocol Has Improved Over The Last Year
The Callisto Protocol’s DLC Has Made a Massive Difference
While downloadable content can be used to expand upon an already-great experience, like what was seen withThe Witcher 3, in the case ofThe Callisto Protocolit was used to address multiple criticisms fans had about the base game. One simple way that Striking Distance has attempted to do this is via over a dozen new death and melee finisheranimations for Jacob, something that makes melee combat feel less repetitive since fights no longer conclude in the same few ways. However, though these finishers are memorable, it is the other DLC that really shines.
Not counting a skin pack that allows players to give Jacob a makeover,The Callisto Protocol’s DLC offers three vastly different experiences. For those who feel like they know the game incredibly well, Contagion Mode’s lack of manual saves and permadeath rules can finally put them on edge. Plus, those who want something different from the main story can look to Final Transmission or Riot Mode. The former is an enjoyable story DLC with a fun final boss battle and a brilliant new weapon called the Kinetic Hammer. Had it been included in the base game,The Callisto Protocol’s lengthwould have been less controversial, as players would feel they got their money’s worth. Riot Mode, on the other hand, is a highly replayable wave-based mode that can provide hours of entertainment. Comparable toCall of DutyZombies, players will need to buy and upgrade weapons, use traps, and complete tasks while fighting increasingly long waves of foes. Thanks to Riot Mode,Callisto Protocolnow has more gameplay variety and a fresh endgame experience.
For many players, givingThe Callisto Protocola chance will not cost them anything, as it was available forfree on PlayStation Plusback in October. If gamers claimed the survival horror title, they can play through it to see if they enjoy it before extending the experience via the game’s DLC.
The Callisto Protocol’s Free Updates Also Deserve Praise
Though the DLC has done a tremendous amount of heavy lifting,Striking Distancealso provided some free updates. One great change makes it so that if players make purchases at a vendor, those upgrades stick around instead of needing to be remade if players die before hitting another checkpoint. New Game Plus mode, something many were desperate for at launch, is now available to everyone. A Hardcore mode is also free for all users, and provides even tougher gameplay than Contagion via adjusted prices, limited ammo, and tougher enemies. Thankfully, permadeath is a Contagion-exclusive, but Hardcore will give players that do not have interest in the DLC something to do beyond New Game Plus.
To be clear,The Callisto Protocolstill has issues. The storytelling is not on par with the excellent Helix Station podcast released before the game, while the lack of aDead Space-like objective tracker makes it far too tedious to figure out which path is optional. However, thanks to the hard work of Striking Distance and some steady post-launch support, fans of horror games or melee combat will likely find themselves having fun if they pickThe Callisto Protocolup. As long as players manage their expectations and do not go into the game expecting anotherhorror classic likeDead Space, it will be difficult to dislike it - especially if all the DLC has been downloaded.
The Callisto Protocol
WHERE TO PLAY
In this narrative-driven, third-person survival horror game set 300 years in the future, the player will take on the role of Jacob Lee – a victim of fate thrown into Black Iron Prison, a maximum-security penitentiary located on Jupiter’s moon, Callisto. When inmates begin to transform into monstrous creatures, the prison is thrown into chaos. To survive, Jacob must battle his way to safety to escape Black Iron Prison, while uncovering the dark and disturbing secrets buried beneath the surface of Callisto. Using a unique blend of shooting and close-quarters combat, Jacob will need to adapt his tactics to combat the rapidly evolving creatures while scavenging to unlock new weapons, gear, and abilities to outrun the growing threat and escape the horrors of Jupiter’s Dead Moon.
