The Callisto Protocol, unfortunately, was not the smash-hit AAA survival horror game that many hoped it would be. While it certainly has its strengths,The Callisto Protocolultimately failed to live up to its lofty expectations, being overshadowed by the well-craftedDead Spaceremake that launched around the same time. Luckily, Striking Distance Studios hasn’t backed down, moving forward with[REDACTED], a new roguelike set in the same universe.
Crucially,[REDACTED]is not a direct sequel toThe Callisto Protocol, but a spin-off that adopts a completely different genre, aesthetic, and narrative. However, it serves as another way for fans ofCallisto’s lore to engage with the world and concepts established in the game. This roundabout approach to franchise-building appears to be working out for Striking Distance Studios so far, as[REDACTED]has met a warm reception—a surprising contrast toThe Callisto Protocol’s reviews, which ranged from tepid to shamelessly derisive. With Striking Distance possibly getting some more traction with gaming audiences through this rather unexpected release, perhaps it could mean good things for the future ofThe Callisto Protocoluniverse.
At the time of writing,[REDACTED]has a score of 77 on Metacritic, compared toThe Callisto Protocol’s 69.
[REDACTED] Shouldn’t Be the Last Players See of The Callisto Protocol’s World
More Spin-Offs Could Make Up for The Callisto Protocol’s Disappointing Launch
Thedecent performance of[REDACTED]may not necessarily redeem Striking Distance Studios in the eyes of the mainstream gaming populace, but it’s a sign of two promising internal development factors. Firstly, it proves that Striking Distance doesn’t plan to completely abandon the world that it spent years creating forThe Callisto Protocol, and second of all, it suggests that the studio is willing to experiment with different genres to make as good a game as possible.[REDACTED]may not be a masterpiece in its own right, but it could be the precursor to one.
The world ofThe Callisto Protocolis compelling, to the point where many players were sold on the game based on its early promotional footage alone. It was clearly inspired by the aesthetic and tone ofDead Space, but[REDACTED]proves that there’s room in this fictional landscape for a more punk rock, high-octane presentation, which could lead to any number of potential projects down the line. Moreover, it indicates that the IP is flexible enough to support several distinct narratives and premises, which is a strength that could be leveraged for more, better games.
Where Striking Distance Studios Can Go Following [REDACTED]
It would seem thatStriking Distance Studios learned from its mistakes withThe Callisto Protocol, and with any luck, the developer will continue to adapt based on its experience with[REDACTED].Maybe a traditional third-person shooter, RPG, or strategy game could be born from the ashes ofThe Callisto Protocol, with Striking Distance adapting the best parts of bothCallistoand[REDACTED]while leaving behind what doesn’t work.
The Callisto Protocolwasn’t perfect, but it also had the misfortune of releasing during something of a modern survival horror boom: games like theDead Spaceremake,Alan Wake 2,Resident Evil 4’s remake, and, most recently,Silent Hill 2’s remake, have given fans of the genre a lot to chew on these past few years, and a merely serviceable horror shooter likeCallistojust wasn’t up to snuff. But maybe the IP can live on in other genres, if Striking Distance is willing to stay loose and experimental. Perhaps, given enough time, such spin-offs could even pave the way to a proper sequel or reboot of the original game.
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.
