The Callisto Protocol

 PC
Metascore
68

Mixed or average reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 19
  3. Negative: 2 out of 19
  1. Siliconera
    Jan 4, 2023
    40
    The Callisto Protocol feels like a retread of the PS3 era of survival horror, but perhaps in the worst way possible. It’s clear that this title was made with Dead Space in mind, as it shared the same creator, but it’s also a look at how the genre has evolved since Dead Space was relevant. And while The Callisto Protocol’s narrative is lackluster, the gameplay could have been something great and ultimately redeeming about it. Instead, it feels trapped in the past and a worse iteration of what inspired it.
  2. GameWatcher
    Dec 20, 2022
    40
    The Callisto Protocol is one of the year’s biggest letdowns. It is joyless, contrived and feels unfinished, as if the studio rushed it out prior to Dead Space Remake’s launch on January 27, 2023. Like Black Iron itself, I can’t help but feel the project was abandoned at some point. It feels so wrong for a game that looks and sounds this great to be so devoid of spark and quality control. It’s fitting that after traversing every tight nook and cranny, the only feeling left once the credits have rolled is that of having life squeezed from you.
This publication does not provide a score for their reviews.
This publication has not posted a final review score yet.
These unscored reviews do not factor into the Metascore calculation.

In Progress & Unscored

?
  1. Rock, Paper, Shotgun
    Dec 1, 2022
    I'd probably enjoy it more on PC than console. But the thing is, it's not just that the game runs badly. There are a bunch of smaller annoyances I noted on both platforms. Enemies might grow tentacles as a prelude to mutating into something worse, and you're supposed to shoot or smash them to stop it - except I could never tell when I actually managed it. The different varieties of enemies don't make substantially different noises, so you can't quickly read a situation as you can in, e.g., Left 4 Dead. If you start inputting your dodge too early, the game defaults back to movement controls and you start to strafe, which is annoying. The quick-kill prompt just flat out doesn't appear if you have your gun out, but your gun is also your torch so you have it out almost all the time. I was looking forward to The Callisto Protocol, and I want this dog to hunt. I don't think it can right now.

Awards & Rankings

19
#19 Most Discussed PC Game of 2022

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
5.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 294 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 118 out of 294
  2. Mixed: 56 out of 294
  3. Negative: 120 out of 294
  1. Mortanius
    Dec 3, 2022
    0
    Giving it 0 because:
    a) Denuvo
    b) shady season pass c) crunching d) unplayable dog-excrement port on PC e) review embargo lifted during    Giving it 0 because:
    a) Denuvo
    b) shady season pass
    c) crunching
    d) unplayable dog-excrement port on PC
    e) review embargo lifted during the release day

    Such awful practices has become a norm nowadays which is really sad.    … Full Review »
  2. marcinek74
    Dec 3, 2022
    1
    I cant believe that PC version is so bad. Graphics very good but it is not enough. Very poor mechanics. Very unstable gameplay on PC.
    AAAA    I cant believe that PC version is so bad. Graphics very good but it is not enough. Very poor mechanics. Very unstable gameplay on PC.
    AAAA game? It is a f-ing joke.    … Full Review »
  3. Andrudis
    Dec 3, 2022
    1
    AVOID BUYING PC version!!!
    Buy and play any console version if you can - they both are great 8/10, but PC version is a blatant scam!    AVOID BUYING PC version!!!
    Buy and play any console version if you can - they both are great 8/10, but PC version is a blatant scam!
    Constant stutters from 120 FPS down to 2-5 FPS every dozen of seconds without any bottleneck (~60% CPU load and ~80% GPU load). Even during cut scenes.

    What makes it even worse, is that it appears devs perfectly knew about unplayable state of PC version all the time, but instead delaying release or at least issuing warning they just put review embargo till release date and knowingly released completely broken product - unplayable for most and with noticeably spoiled gameplay experience for those lucky few who do not get game breaking stutters every few seconds...
    Wait for a fix and discount at least 50% before considering buying this pile on unplayable...    … Full Review »
See all user reviews »