Well, based on my recent hands-on session with the PS5 version of The Callisto Protocol, developer Striking Distance Studio is full of the right kind of crazy. My journey through a level titled Habitat takes a few hours into the game, packing intense combat, a spooky atmosphere, and white-knuckle moments.
Read on for a look at gameplay highlights from the preview, including details on visceral melee combat, life-saving ranged weapons, enticing customization, the terrifying threat of Biophage mutation, And much more.
Immersive visuals
Setting the mood – Black Iron Prison is a visually compelling but suitably unnerving setting. Steam shoots from the pipes and clouds of fog float above the ground. The sounds of rattling chains and low moans fill the air. Dark streetlights flicker sporadically, vaguely suggesting a way forward. Every square inch of the prison is considered and buzzes with life with impressive visual fidelity.
Diabolical details – The camera is tight behind Jacob during gameplay, resulting in an appropriately claustrophobic feeling and great jump scares. One of the benefits of the Intimate Camera is getting a good close look at the details of Jacob’s character. Beads of sweat form on his face and catch the light, which he then wipes away. The folds of his jumpsuit are genuinely dirty and creased. Jacob also moves with the laborious, heavy movements of a person surviving a horrific ordeal. It all merges into a movie-like level of detail that heightens immersion and tension.
High stakes scrimmage
Your enemy, the biophage – The Black Iron Prison is crawling with grotesque, infected humanoid monsters called Biophages. These enemies range from freshly transformed creatures still wearing guard uniforms to wall-scaling monsters with optic cloaking abilities. Their movements are erratic, unnerving and surprisingly lethal. Never let your guard down and prepare to learn some hard lessons.
Scrum counts – Unlike last resort melee weapons in some horror games, Jacob’s Electrified Staff is the lifeblood of survival. Landing light hits with R1 and heavy attacks with R2 feels meaty and is essential when setting up…
Skill shots – Successful melee combos trigger “Skill Shots” – a circular reticle that appears on an enemy’s body part. By quickly pressing the L2 button, Jacob automatically targets the weak spot for a critical hit dealing heavy damage. This is the key to surviving encounters and saving ammo.
DualSense controller haptics – When Jacob equips his staff, the PS5 controller’s haptics mimic a heavy “thump” as it unfolds, as well as a crackle of electrical energy at your fingertips. The heaviness of this melee weapon translates into satisfying feedback in close combat.
Defend and Dodge – Enemies are fast and aggressive, but Jacob doesn’t need to take hits like an idiot. Moving the left stick down lets Jacob block attacks, while pressing left or right lets him dodge back and forth. These defensive options are key to saving your skin and setting up a new melee combo.
Crush them all – No fight seems complete without a cathartic kick to the Fallen Biophage. Not only does this help finish off fallen enemies, but is necessary for dropping loot, including ammo, health, and credits.
Fun with gravity – GRP Gravity Weapon allows Jacob to pick up enemies and items. GRP is great for controlling crowds, throwing enemies around to create space, and even finding hidden loot out of reach. Each use of the GRP consumes a battery, so choose carefully.
environment kills – The most gruesome and practical use of GRP is to throw your enemies into nasty hazards like spinning meat grinders and razor-sharp fan blades. Even when those types of hazards weren’t available, I managed to push enemies off ledges and catwalks into the darkness below.
Count your balls
Ranged weapons – Melee is great for conserving ammo, but you will inevitably be outnumbered and out of health with your back against the wall. That’s when it’s time to draw one of Jacob’s mighty firearms.
BI-55 pistol “Hand cannon” – Jacob’s trusty handgun packs a punch. I found the slow and powerful gun the best for blasting enemies’ legs from a distance, slowing their pursuit, and giving me time to strategize. It bears repeating that ammo is scarce, so marksmanship is important.
Skunkgun shotgun – Later in Habitat, I discovered the schematics for a new weapon. The next time I visited a store kiosk, the 3D printer manifested a rugged shotgun with incredible power. Starting out with a capacity of just two shells, the Skunkgun seems to be the best at sweeping through crowds and taking down tough enemies quickly.
Equipment upgrades
Mutant threat – Tentacles sometimes burst from the Biophage, an evolution of the virus that causes them to mutate into bigger, badder enemies. Watching Biophage flesh ripple, grow, and change shape in real time is an awesome visual effect, but you’ll want to nip it in the bud as soon as possible. Watch your ammo or splint for a sinking feeling when aiming to sprout tentacles only to have your hand cannon run dry…
Deliberate healing – Injectors are scattered throughout the Black Iron Prison, but don’t expect to pop med kits and heal in the heat of battle. Jacob should stop, take a knee, and slowly inject himself until the meter on the back of his neck fills with green. To survive a particularly intense encounter, I launched an enemy using the GRP, which bought me precious seconds to heal myself. The added tension feels right at home in The Callisto Protocol.
Rewarding exploration –Research for resources such as ammo is important, and Striking Distance rewards player curiosity. In one sequence, I had to move a large box to access a vent. Instead of moving forward, I used the box to climb on to a platform with extra ammo. In another example, Jacob mutters to himself that he is following a red pipe to his goal. Instead, I immediately ventured down a separate path and found a supply room with credits and health, then unlocked a door back to the main path.
Unforgettable horror stories
Corridor of fate – At one point I walked into a dark hallway with a brightly lit door at the other end. Foolishly, I started running towards the light thinking it was a refuge beacon. My optimism was violently crushed by a biophage ambush. While the encounter only required me to work on about three enemies, it felt like a real litmus test of the game’s systems. Eventually, I learned the importance of moving slowly, relying on melee, and l dodge, and execute skill shots to save ammo.
In the walls – During another tricky encounter, I tried to evade a pursuing enemy by hiding behind a nearby door. I waited, barrel leveled at the door, expecting it to open and give the biophage an easy blow. Instead, I heard a rapid scuttling sound overhead and suddenly the enemy trapped me from behind. It was a humbling reminder to stay paranoid.
Toboggan – Striking Distance flexes his muscle from the effects of water in a thrilling sequence where Jacob is flushed down a massive drain tube. Water laps convincingly against the twisty bends of the tube and splashes into the camera as Jacob plummets from a steep drop. When I didn’t care about dodging the metal obstacles on the slide, I couldn’t help but think “piiiiiii!”
mind games – One of the most surprising encounters involved a dark, narrow hallway, flashing lights, and a spider-like biophage crawling rapidly along the walls and ceiling. The strobe effect of the lights offered instant glimpses of the horrible creature as it came closer and closer. I had encountered this enemy many times before, but this intimidating ambush brought me to a halt.
Raise and grind – Near the end of the level, Jacob enters a room with a pillar of rotating spiked cylinders. Like a giant meat grinder. I relish the opportunity to wield the GRP and throw monster after monster into the big blender. My batteries dried up before I could launch the last enemy, whom I instead shot in the leg with the hand cannon. To my surprise and delight, the monster tried to back away from my attack and unwittingly dove headfirst into the grinder, instantly disintegrating. The effect was surprising, hilarious and empowering.
These are just a taste of the memorable and alluring moments of my few hours with The Callisto Protocol. I entered the hands-on session with a neutral curiosity around Striking Distance Studios’ visually impressive sci-fi horror project and came away with sweaty palms and a new most-wanted game of 2022. I’ll give the priority to my trip back to Black Iron Prison when it hits PS5 on December 2.
