[REDACTED]is bringing a fresh take toTheCallisto Protocoluniverse with a stylized roguelike spin-off that looks action-packed. When it comes to crafting a new story in this world, another DLC forThe Callisto Protocolwould be what many would assume to be the route chosen, but[REDACTED]is going in a bold and unexpected direction.
From the art style to the gameplay and mechanics,[REDACTED]is completely different from its predecessor. The roguelike genre is a popular way to bring challenging action front and center. Thanks tothe popularity of theHadesfranchise, roguelikes and roguelike modes have been having a bit of a renaissance. FromGod of War’s ValhallaDLC toNo Rest For the Wickedrecently adding its roguelike mode, the genre is quite versatile. However,[REDACTED]has a benefit thatHades 2andNo Rest For the Wickeddo not.[REDACTED]foregoing an early access period could ultimately benefit it more in the long run.
No Early Access For [REDACTED] Could Be a Promising Sign
Avoiding the Negatives of Early Access
Releasing games in an early access state isn’t always a bad thing. It can be incredibly beneficial to smaller studios who are in search of player feedback to create a more successful final product at launch. Despite its benefits, it can also make the wait for the complete game feel that much longer. Even worse, it can make a full release feel less exciting.Hades 2’s early accessbegan back in May, and it is already filled with an impressive amount of content. This leaves the completed product with the difficult task of making sure there are enough new features at launch to make the game feel fresh and even larger than its early access counterpart.
[REDACTED]won’t have to worry about this hurdle. If the game is well-crafted and full of great features from the start, there are no previous expectations built from an early access experience.No Rest For the WickedandHades 2have approached their early access periods differently, but they both have the same pressure to offer enough at full launch to feel worth the wait.
[REDACTED]launches on October 31. With its sci-fi horror themes, it makes a unique addition to the growing Halloween lineup.
Getting a complete game right out of the gate usually receives a warm welcome from many players, as long as it’s in a worthy state. Not only is[REDACTED]givingThe Callisto Protocola compelling tone shift, but it’s also not forcing players to wait for anything in the process. It’s been over a year since theFinal TransmissionDLC launched, and having the next chapter ready to go is a strong move that could help propel the franchise further.
The Callisto Protocol’s Pivot With [REDACTED] May Pay Off
Reworking a Promising Franchise
The Callisto Protocolbeing marketed as a spiritual successor toDead Spacegenerated a lot of hype, but the game wasn’t able to gain the same success. The unique, but often difficult, gameplay kept the game from really rising to its potential, and[REDACTED]taking note of that to offer something completely different may be for the best. This roguelike twist to the franchise’s gameplay could prove to be the key to unlocking a better path forward. Even thoughThe Callisto Protocolwasn’t a massive success,[REDACTED]could turn the tides.
Getting to experience the full extent of what[REDACTED]holds at launch shows that developer Striking Distance Studios has confidence in its current state.There is a lot riding on[REDACTED], since it’s offeringThe Callisto Protocola second chance at life that not every game gets. Based on early previews, it has clearly taken a lot of inspiration fromHadesandHades 2, but it has the major benefit of bypassing the woes of early access.
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.
