When taking a look at The Callisto Protocol, it’s onerous not to consider the Dead Space sequence. Coming from the previous Visceral Games builders who’ve now shaped Striking Distance Studios, the upcoming survival-horror sport shares loads of similarities with EA’s beloved space-horror shooter sequence (which additionally appears to be set for a revival in 2023).

The artistic director of The Callisto Protocol (and co-creator of Dead Space), Glen Schofield, says he desires his new sport to be the following step for the style moderately than simply retreading acquainted floor. “I do know individuals are calling [The Callisto Protocol] a non secular successor to Dead Space, however I actually do not imply it to be that manner,” he advised Ars at a current preview occasion. “I would like this to be a standalone sport, and when you get into the story and expertise, there are some key variations at work, which I’m actually happy with.”

And after lastly enjoying an early portion of the sport and talking with Schofield about its improvement, it turned clear that there’s extra happening with The Callisto Protocol and its model of sci-fi horror than seems at first look.

A brand new identification

Strangely sufficient, The Callisto Protocol was initially deliberate as a horror spinoff set within the universe of the influential battle royale sport PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds. That connection was phased out as improvement continued, in line with Schofield, permitting The Callisto Protocol to form its personal identification. The sport now focuses on a extra cinematic, story-driven, survival-horror expertise that blends parts of Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us with John Carpenter’s The Thing.

Set within the far future, gamers tackle the function of Jacob Lee (performed by Transformers’ Josh Duhamel), a prisoner trapped in a high-tech jail on Jupiter’s moon, Callisto. After a mysterious incident results in chaos on the moon, turning most survivors into mutated monsters referred to as “Biophages,” Jacob makes his escape whereas piecing collectively what occurred in Black Iron Prison.

The Callisto Protocol is, indubitably, closely influenced by Dead Space—and that is not a foul factor. Both video games share a direct and apparent onerous sci-fi inspiration and aesthetic, set in eerie and unsettling areas akin to a haunted home. As with different survival-horror video games, you be taught the ins and outs of Black Iron Prison by scavenging for sources, fixing puzzles, and combating off some ugly foes with a set of ranged and close-quarters weapons.

In conserving with the survival-horror expertise, The Callisto Protocol emphasizes a way of helplessness and pressure with protagonist Jacob’s ordeal. Jacob, who’s clearly out of his depth exploring the jail, already looks as if a extra outlined character than Dead Space’s Isaac Clarke. But at the same time as the sport expands to a extra cinematic scope, strolling by way of the hallways nonetheless felt intimate and nerve-wracking.

During my brief demo, there was a continuing sense of dread inherent in exploring the sport’s darkish environments. Passing by way of the plain aftermath of some grisly occasions results in a sense that one thing is lurking across the nook. Establishing that sort of feeling is what good survival-horror is all about, and The Callisto Protocol‘s gorgeously ugly atmosphere delivers that sort of feeling decidedly.