The Callisto Protocol

 PlayStation 5
User Score
6.9

Mixed or average reviews- based on 1069 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 615 out of 1069
  2. Mixed: 212 out of 1069
  3. Negative: 242 out of 1069
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  1. marcinek74
    Dec 3, 2022
    3
    Very poor mechanics. Graphics very good but it is not enough. Highly unstable gameplay on ps5.
  2. xikal794a
    Dec 3, 2022
    2
    I was hyped, i really was. A game from Dead Space creator on paper sounds great.
    Sadly the final product is very rushed with some questiobable gameplay mechanics.
    In short, dodge system sucks, you use left analog stick to dodge left and right which doesn't feel good, especially when you fight multiple enemies at once. There is no indicator for offscreen attacks and combat becomes mess...    I was hyped, i really was. A game from Dead Space creator on paper sounds great.
    Sadly the final product is very rushed with some questiobable gameplay mechanics.
    In short, dodge system sucks, you use left analog stick to dodge left and right which doesn't feel good, especially when you fight multiple enemies at once. There is no indicator for offscreen attacks and combat becomes mess...
    This game is painfully linear, basically straight corridor. Level design of Dead Space 1 is miles ahead.
    There are no puzzles. Bosses? You got one mini boss re-used multiple times and one main boss. Biggest disappointment of 2022    … Expand
  3. MatuX
    Dec 3, 2022
    4
    This is what happens when you give an indie team of amateurs AAA money.

    Horrible combat mechanics, terribly written, cliche after cliche after cliche, it’s definitely not scary, at all.

    The only good thing is the ambience, graphics are great and the zombies look fine. But it becomes very monotone, very quickly.
  4. AnthD13
    Dec 3, 2022
    10
    The story, the combat, the visuals, the sound design, everything is peak cinema
  5. ANTROPOMORFO
    Feb 14, 2023
    9
    Everything about The Callisto Protocol is about immersion, survival, horror and the weight of moral choices we make in life. It's a great horror game and wonderfully linear. Great and solid start to a new intellectual property. Now it's to see what the developers can improve in a future sequel! ;)
  6. Monstert_t
    Jun 4, 2023
    9
    The callisto protocol is truly an underrated gem! It brought back the slow paces survival horror with an engaging mysterious story, well designed combat and to notch graphics and audio design. I can't wait for the DLC, I really hope there will be a sequel it deserves it.
  7. psbrann
    Feb 18, 2023
    10
    I truly just don’t understand the hate. As someone who played every dead space, I think this does a great job of introducing the genre to next gen. Amazing visuals, fun combat, and insanely awesome atmosphere. I’m fully convinced the mass gamer base is braindead. They hate on games like this but then buy the same call of duty or madden every year.
  8. Chrisalva
    Apr 11, 2023
    10
    It has been a long time since I have enjoyed a horror game so much. I love the game's mechanics, graphics, and story. I score based on how much I enjoyed the game and this is the most important factor in a video game. I don’t understand how many people did not like it
  9. jmsbrolic
    Mar 26, 2023
    8
    Maybe a played this game after some of the issues were fixed, but my only real gripe is the amount of crawling and squeezing through passageways in the game. Combat is good, story is good, and the graphics are on another level. This is what a next gen game should look like.

    Gameplay is not on par with Dead Space Remake, but it's still great and Ill be coming back for the story DLC
  10. Reqtix
    Feb 17, 2023
    7
    Good Atmosphere, nice soundtrack, I like the game and the combat mechanics. But the Lipsynchronisation is awful, the story behind this game is okay, but not really catching. I played this game 3 times in 3 Days to complete Platin Trophy. You need at least 7 hours to finish the game once. Would recommend this game as a secondhand purchase, but not for the full release price.
  11. Ruslan_Z
    Apr 28, 2023
    10
    I rate this game 10 stars because I genuinely believe it deserves it. Yes, it has some flaws here and there, but the overall experience is so good that I can forgive them. The graphics are stunning, the plot is decent, and the gameplay is addictive and rewarding. I highly recommend it, especially at such a discount.
  12. arahjista
    Apr 16, 2023
    8
    Definitely got it's flaws, but I think it was treated unfairly, it's a really fun survival horror for Resident Evil 4 fans, with gorgeous graphics, nice level design and fun gameplay, The story is cliche and not very interesting, I admit, but it's still a good experience nonetheless. Maybe after a few years it will be remembered as an underrated gem like Days Gone?
  13. rock_united
    Apr 10, 2023
    10
    wonderful graphics and a challenger game-play. The storytelling gets better near the end. The scare is not the strong point of the game: it's more action than horror, but it's a great game
  14. Knispeldose
    Aug 8, 2023
    10
    I really enjoyed the game and don't really understand the negative criticism. It has great sound design, a dark and brutal story, some jumpscares and everything I wish for in a horror game. Yes, Dead Space had more variety in it. But still, I had a lot of fun with Callisto Protocol.
  15. TruArtS9
    Jan 31, 2023
    8
    I've just started playing it (~3hrs) and I like the atmosphere, characters, combat system, suspense, the visuals and level-design. There's only one downside playing on PS5 is that I have to chose between 30fps and high visuals and 60fps and mediocre visuals, which makes me sad. I wish they'd implemented VRR and 120hz support, so there would be option to stick with 40fps and some visualI've just started playing it (~3hrs) and I like the atmosphere, characters, combat system, suspense, the visuals and level-design. There's only one downside playing on PS5 is that I have to chose between 30fps and high visuals and 60fps and mediocre visuals, which makes me sad. I wish they'd implemented VRR and 120hz support, so there would be option to stick with 40fps and some visual quality in-between aforementioned options. Overall, I really like this game, there is a deficit of sci-fi actions in space, so this one gets a big like from me.… Expand
  16. TonyTheTyler
    Jan 7, 2023
    5
    Graphics are awesome; story is generic; controls are clunky. You fight same 2-3 mobs over and over. Beat game in 6hr48mins on minimum security.
  17. TheBrokenRoad
    May 8, 2023
    8
    A fun and tense foray into the horror genre!

    Honestly, the biggest issue for me was the pacing. It's a shorter game, and despite this, I found I was getting a bit bored around the midpoint. I wanted the story to pick up, to give me more clues as to the happenings of Black Iron Prison, not explore yet another creepy corridor or force me to beat yet another wave upon endless wave of    A fun and tense foray into the horror genre!

    Honestly, the biggest issue for me was the pacing. It's a shorter game, and despite this, I found I was getting a bit bored around the midpoint. I wanted the story to pick up, to give me more clues as to the happenings of Black Iron Prison, not explore yet another creepy corridor or force me to beat yet another wave upon endless wave of monsters into a bloody pulp of tentacles and bones.

    Oh, and the melee combat... I have such a love-hate relationship with the Dodge! I hated it at first, but as the game progressed, I noticed it was a dance. Once you learn the steps, you're fine! But that learning curve is brutal!

    Regardless of the above cons, I was satisfied with the outcome. I do hope that the upcoming DLC will explore and/or explain the ending a little more.

    Josh Duhamel plays both a likeable and sympathetic Jacob. All of the acting is superb. The graphics are outstanding. The sound design is next level, so make sure you have great headphones. The scares are...not really that scary, if you're familiar with the genre. But the death animations had even me squirming!

    Side note: It's quite obvious that The Callisto Protocol is a love letter to the Alien franchise. The UJC Charon looks so much like the Nostromo! And I truly laughed out loud when the line "In space, no one can hear...your stomach growl," was said. Absolute perfection!

    I hope it gets a sequel.    … Expand
  18. Syra_Aris_666
    Dec 4, 2022
    7
    Overall it is good, but nothing special.
    The atmosphere and graphics are the best (on PS5 sometimes it stutters, not fluid all the time).
    Game-play is okay, "building" weapons, adding stuff etc. with that machine/shop is cool. Story is **** to be honest, always the same zombie stereotype. Characters are hollow, no depth. You play as a smuggler/cargo deliverer and somehow he can dodge    Overall it is good, but nothing special.
    The atmosphere and graphics are the best (on PS5 sometimes it stutters, not fluid all the time).
    Game-play is okay, "building" weapons, adding stuff etc. with that machine/shop is cool.
    Story is **** to be honest, always the same zombie stereotype.
    Characters are hollow, no depth.
    You play as a smuggler/cargo deliverer and somehow he can dodge like a ninja and survive like a special forces operator. He could be more believable if he had some more depth.
    Maybe with the DLC it will become better.
    To be honest at least this game came out "finished" and was playable and enjoyable compared to other games at this price.
    I was expecting more and something more different.    … Expand
  19. DrZomboid
    Dec 8, 2022
    8
    Dead Space: Callisto Protocol

    Good: atmosphere, upgrade system, audio visuel presentation

    Bad: need more and better bosses, story is allready seen few times, a bit clumsy combat
  20. onfire1229
    Jan 15, 2023
    8
    I genuinely don’t understand the hate this title is given. The graphics are beautiful and immersive. The game play is fun, visceral, and exactly what I expected. If you’re a fan of this genre, I highly recommend to check this game out. I’ve had a lot of fun with it.
  21. Cidiust
    Dec 25, 2022
    8
    Contrary to everyone else, I wasn't expecting much from this new IP, and it did caught me off guard (in a good way). Usually in horror survival games, you tend to run and hide from enemies, but there are some many ways to eliminate enemies that I offend found myself trying to clear the room, stomping on all my enemies to check if they drop anything interesting.

    -Good story (nothing too    Contrary to everyone else, I wasn't expecting much from this new IP, and it did caught me off guard (in a good way). Usually in horror survival games, you tend to run and hide from enemies, but there are some many ways to eliminate enemies that I offend found myself trying to clear the room, stomping on all my enemies to check if they drop anything interesting.

    -Good story (nothing too special).
    -Loved the gameplay (When you get the hang of the dodge mechanics, everything else is just a walk in the park).
    -I had some issues with the audio, but it was quickly patch.
    -Awesome graphics.
    -It's not too long, which is a good thing when you do have a life (job, wife, grownup stuff). Also, if you are into going in through the hardest, it will be less overwhelming.

    No! It is not a Dead Space truly successor, but that's ok in my opinion. It checks all the right boxes for it to be a fun game and to have a nice experience.
    I suggest you guys to play it on Maximum Security difficulty and drop the difficulty if it really gets too overwhelming.    … Expand
  22. Bobby999
    Dec 16, 2022
    10
    A must play for anyone who enjoys survival horror...a new take on combat, great story and creepy as he'll settings...like alien isolation an instant classic.
  23. DragoonE85
    Dec 5, 2022
    5
    The Calisto Protocol is OK. It is a beautiful game, visually it is one of the best games ever Ray tracing and motion capture give its characters a real quality. It isn't scary, while the games enemies are grotesque and deaths are gory, the atmosphere they create is more action ana has no suspence. But my real problem with it is the combat. It just isn't fun, they can say the timingThe Calisto Protocol is OK. It is a beautiful game, visually it is one of the best games ever Ray tracing and motion capture give its characters a real quality. It isn't scary, while the games enemies are grotesque and deaths are gory, the atmosphere they create is more action ana has no suspence. But my real problem with it is the combat. It just isn't fun, they can say the timing and slowness of your character are part of the game design. But it is not fun to play.… Expand
  24. yousifalraheem
    Dec 5, 2022
    9
    I just finished the game. Such a unique experience! Honestly, the reviews are harsh, the game is way better than they have portrayed it. The combat is a bit clunky and annoying which is the only thing that makes me give it a 9/10. But honestly that clunkiness adds to the thrill because now I have to combat horrifying enemies knowing that I’m not gonna get it right and I could die with anyI just finished the game. Such a unique experience! Honestly, the reviews are harsh, the game is way better than they have portrayed it. The combat is a bit clunky and annoying which is the only thing that makes me give it a 9/10. But honestly that clunkiness adds to the thrill because now I have to combat horrifying enemies knowing that I’m not gonna get it right and I could die with any mistake. The ending was perfect, the story opens up almost at the end when a lot of things are revealed.… Expand
  25. merohong
    Dec 5, 2022
    10
    Great visual, sound and impact.
    The immersion was good and it was a long-awaited style of game.
  26. MarcoSPlay67
    Dec 5, 2022
    10
    I don't understand the bad reviews. Production is so high, models, textures, level design, enemies, sound are first class. Game is built around systems, so if you play it again, it will be different (loot, death etc...) The game needs Game+ and you have to replay some parts because it can be unforgiven. I'm not sure if the quick weapon change and dodge mechanics ate the best choice, but itI don't understand the bad reviews. Production is so high, models, textures, level design, enemies, sound are first class. Game is built around systems, so if you play it again, it will be different (loot, death etc...) The game needs Game+ and you have to replay some parts because it can be unforgiven. I'm not sure if the quick weapon change and dodge mechanics ate the best choice, but it enhance the tension as RE controls were a intentional one. It feels like Dead Space next gen. Play it, the hype is real!… Expand
  27. sol1er
    Dec 6, 2022
    8
    Had an absolute blast.
    Blood gore and mayhem, with a combat system that once you learn is immensely rewarding
    art and sound design along with graphics are all top notch, the only things id change are adding a dodge roll mechanic to the combat, more open world elements letting you explore and side quests, allow me to play the audio recordings while im walking like in Deadspace, great    Had an absolute blast.
    Blood gore and mayhem, with a combat system that once you learn is immensely rewarding
    art and sound design along with graphics are all top notch,
    the only things id change are adding a dodge roll mechanic to the combat, more open world elements letting you explore and side quests, allow me to play the audio recordings while im walking like in Deadspace,
    great game, pumped for the sequel    … Expand
  28. soooB
    Dec 3, 2022
    5
    Wonderful homage to the original Dead Space from a co-creator of the original Dead Space ... except the story and dialogue, except the story and dialogue are far more trite. And it feels far more repetitive. And it feels more like being stuck in a very boring maze. I preordered this and I was also looking forwards to the Dead Space reboot/remake but this has made me far less enthused.
  29. ARGuy
    Dec 3, 2022
    7
    I've been waiting for another dead-space game/dead-space-like game for a long time. For what it was it was alright. I enjoyed some parts of it and I didn't enjoy some other parts. The game visually is incredible to look at however the level design itself is linear with some extra halls. Gameplay-wise it's pretty much just dead space 1 with some additions to it that don't innovate itsI've been waiting for another dead-space game/dead-space-like game for a long time. For what it was it was alright. I enjoyed some parts of it and I didn't enjoy some other parts. The game visually is incredible to look at however the level design itself is linear with some extra halls. Gameplay-wise it's pretty much just dead space 1 with some additions to it that don't innovate its original gameplay at all but is fun once you get the general mechanics down. While I did somewhat enjoy it I'm still disappointed in it for how much potential it had to be a fantastic game.

    So I'll go through the pros and cons of the game real quick as a tl:dr for anyone:

    Pros:
    - Nice melee combat

    - Great visuals and environment design

    - Awesome character design

    Cons:
    - Lack in enemy variety and unique mechanics

    -Very linear pathway and story

    - Barebones lore that I did not care for

    - If your pc cannot run the minimum then there will be performance issues    … Expand
  30. joshuabonez
    Dec 6, 2022
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Dark, gritty horror. It has several enemies, although I heard it had only a few. Main zombie type, security guard in armour, fat brawler, acid spitter, giant spider things, crawling exploders, little wormies, tentacle skull pods, two headed guy... & that's what I've seen so far by chapter 5/8. Combat is really fun & although it could be played as a straight up brawler, has a lot of guns that you can acquire plenty of ammo for. Gun changing isn't terrible, you just have to back up or run while doing it. Satisfying kills. Wonderful atmosphere. Plenty of tense moments, & a story that is extremely fun & moving at certain points. It is far better than the resident evil remakes or village. It could have been longer, but leaving me wanting more is never a bad thing. I far prefer that to a game that overstays its welcome. I say anyone who likes survival horror owes it to themselves to play it. Do not believe what you hear.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

10
#10 Most Discussed PlayStation 5 Game of 2022

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
69

Mixed or average reviews - based on 85 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 43 out of 85
  2. Mixed: 35 out of 85
  3. Negative: 7 out of 85
  1. PLAY
    Feb 11, 2023
    40
    Repetitive survival horror that feels like a life sentence, The Callisto Protocol is as bereft of life as the harsh conditions of the moon on which it’s set. [Issue#23, p.70]
  2. MGG Spain
    Jan 26, 2023
    83
    Callisto Protocol makes some mistakes, but in general computing the good wins by far. It is true that it is somewhat angry to see that something with so much potential has not been fully squeezed, but what it offers is already much more than most. We trust that combat system that we have loved and its setting to make the game worthwhile and we would love to see a second installment.
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  3. Games.cz
    Jan 19, 2023
    80
    A visually beautiful sci-fi experience which, surprisingly, doesn’t resort to simply cloning Dead Space. The difficulty and the fear factor both don’t reach the heights I’d expect, however. A shame! It could have been extraordinary.
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