Let me get this out of the way right off the bat. I did refund this game on Steam due to the performance issues on launch. I have heard they are significantly improved but there are still issues present in the current PC release as of me writing this review. I bought the game on PS5 on launch day as well and it has run almost perfectly since, with a single crash and a couple of very minor frame drops (nothing unplayable whatsoever) over my nearly 30 hours of this game. As such I will be reviewing the game itself as it runs on PS5 and hopefully PC performance will be smoothed out quickly.

I have beaten this game three times already in the few days it has been out. Twice on Maximum Security and once on Minimum Security. While some have complained of no replay value or post game content, and I completely understand this sentiment, the game alone has drawn me in like almost no other. It's a fairly simple if not cliche story that is told extremely well which I think is something to be proud of in and of itself. It executes exactly what it sets out to do with flying colors, top marks on every single aspect. Facial animation, actor performances, graphics, ambiance, sound. The story is great it's just not pushing boundaries, which I don't think it needs to in a game like Callisto, the first project from a newly formed company. And the opening sequence is a straight 10/10 for game openings in my humble opinion.

I love the gameplay in this game. I heavily enjoy the Mike Tyson's Punchout style combat that people have been referring to. Being able to dodge any and all melee attacks if you are quick enough truly feels great and like you are mastering a system, similar to how The Surge 2 feels with it's directional parry feature that I absolutely loved in that game. People have said it falls apart when multiple enemies appear and I just have to disagree. The game provides three tools for combat, melee, firearms, and the GRP. You are meant to use these in combination to succeed in many instances and if you take the time to learn all three mechanics combat can feel like a dance. Truly overpowering and dominating these wretched biophages.

That leads to the final point I have. I did not play Dead Space, I am fairly knowledgeable of the game however and am completely aware of the history and influence it's had on The Callisto Protocol. This is NOT Dead Space 4. Striking Distance went on record many times telling people this but it seems no one heard it. It clearly invokes the same themes, tone, and atmosphere, but I repeat this is NOT Dead Space 4. The game isn't as scary as some might have hoped, that's not a problem for me as I love the world-building and atmosphere in the game and I don't really need jump scares to yell "Look at me, be scared!".

Overall I just loved existing in the world this game created. If you're like me please go listen to the Helix Station podcast the developers put out shortly before the release of The Callisto Protocol as it's simply more story within this world. Starring Gwendoline Christie and Michael ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ Ironside, I mean c'mon can't get better than that. Plus the one and only Sam Witwer cameo's in the first episode as the ever so lovely Cpt. Ferris. The Callisto Protocol is a 9/10 from me. Go Buy It and support these devs so we can get a sequel to this absolute gem.

Let me get this out of the way right off the bat. I did refund this game on Steam due to the performance issues on launch. I have heard they are significantly improved but there are still issues present in the current PC release as of me writing this review. I bought the game on PS5 on launch day as well and it has run almost perfectly since, with a single crash and a couple of very minor frame drops (nothing unplayable whatsoever) over my nearly 30 hours of this game. As such I will be reviewing the game itself as it runs on PS5 and hopefully PC performance will be smoothed out quickly. I have beaten this game three times already in the few days it has been out. Twice on Maximum Security and once on Minimum Security. While some have complained of no replay value or post game content, and I completely understand this sentiment, the game alone has drawn me in like almost no other. It's a fairly simple if not cliche story that is told extremely well which I think is something to be proud of in and of itself. It executes exactly what it sets out to do with flying colors, top marks on every single aspect. Facial animation, actor performances, graphics, ambiance, sound. The story is great it's just not pushing boundaries, which I don't think it needs to in a game like Callisto, the first project from a newly formed company. And the opening sequence is a straight 10/10 for game openings in my humble opinion. I love the gameplay in this game. I heavily enjoy the Mike Tyson's Punchout style combat that people have been referring to. Being able to dodge any and all melee attacks if you are quick enough truly feels great and like you are mastering a system, similar to how The Surge 2 feels with it's directional parry feature that I absolutely loved in that game. People have said it falls apart when multiple enemies appear and I just have to disagree. The game provides three tools for combat, melee, firearms, and the GRP. You are meant to use these in combination to succeed in many instances and if you take the time to learn all three mechanics combat can feel like a dance. Truly overpowering and dominating these wretched biophages. That leads to the final point I have. I did not play Dead Space, I am fairly knowledgeable of the game however and am completely aware of the history and influence it's had on The Callisto Protocol. This is NOT Dead Space 4. Striking Distance went on record many times telling people this but it seems no one heard it. It clearly invokes the same themes, tone, and atmosphere, but I repeat this is NOT Dead Space 4. The game isn't as scary as some might have hoped, that's not a problem for me as I love the world-building and atmosphere in the game and I don't really need jump scares to yell "Look at me, be scared!". Overall I just loved existing in the world this game created. If you're like me please go listen to the Helix Station podcast the developers put out shortly before the release of The Callisto Protocol as it's simply more story within this world. Starring Gwendoline Christie and Michael Fucking Ironside, I mean c'mon can't get better than that. Plus the one and only Sam Witwer cameo's in the first episode as the ever so lovely Cpt. Ferris. The Callisto Protocol is a 9/10 from me. Go Buy It and support these devs so we can get a sequel to this absolute gem.