The Callisto Protocol has been garnering steam these past few weeks ever since its PlayStation State of Play reveal. In this new update, Dead Space Executive Producer, Glen Schofield shares more details of what players can expect from the action-adventure horror game when it releases on December 2, 2022.

The Callisto Protocol Developer Interview Sheds Light on Design Philosophy and New Gameplay Footage

The Callisto Protocol is one of the most anticipated action horror games of 2022 because it brings back memories from the beloved Dead Space franchise. From what we’ve seen so far, this title manages to convey a strong sense of dread and isolation that isn’t as common in other horror games anymore. So it’s certainly a great way to pull players once again to experience the unknown in terrifying ways!

Glen Schofield, the ex-Executive Producer of the original Dead Space sits down with GameInformer for an exclusive interview as well as some never before seen gameplay footage!

How The Callisto Protocol Started

Schofield decided that it was time to take some time off before working on his next big project after working for Activision for quite a while. During this period, he began conceptualizing a horror game. He envisioned a story set in the far reaches of Earth, particularly on Jupiter’s Moon, Callisto. Schofield then went on to invite top developers to work with him on the new horror IP and to eventually build the Striking Distance Studios.

Right from the start, he made quick sketches to identify the direction of The Callisto Protocol. This eventually leaned towards including the Black Iron prison colony as part of the core setting. Selecting Black Iron was an opportunity to transform an already hostile environment into something much worse. It’s not only uninhabitable but also much more terrifying. Who would want to stay locked in with horrible, mutated beings?

It then took more than a year to set Schofield’s vision in motion. This was primarily due to the characters, the setting, and the entire narrative could seamlessly weave into the game’s levels and mechanics. It was a matter of putting together the puzzle pieces to create an unforgettable experience that will haunt the players. At the time, the team also knew what the ending of the story would be, even though it evolved in some way.

Piecing Together the Gameplay Systems

As Jacob Lee, your goal is to escape from Callisto while unraveling the mystery behind its dark past. In the new gameplay footage, you are exploring what appears to be a derelict facility on Jupiter’s Moon when all of a sudden, you are tackled by an aggressive monster from the side as he punches you hard several times. But luckily, you retaliate by firing back to debilitate the creature and continue on with exploration.

What makes The Callistor Protocol extremely tense and formidable are the unexpected scares that go with it. You could simply be walking along a narrow path and then see some creature crawling past you without warning. It’s a very claustrophobic experience, which the team has carried over from Dead Space. This elevates the gameplay to new heights, especially when you consider the tech involved in bringing The Callisto Protocol to life.

Melee and Ranged Combat

Players will be able to express themselves in both equal measures when it comes to choosing between melee and ranged combat. Melee fights will be primarily done via the Stun Baton, while ranged options will make use of the RPG.

Up Close and Personal

The Stun Baton specifically lets you attack enemies and see all of the gore up close and personal. So you can cut off the enemy’s arms or heads in what’s known as the Dismemberment System. Who’d have thought a blunt weapon could be so strong that it could dismember enemy limbs?

Doing so will prevent them from using their specializations, which are tied to those body parts. So with missing arms, for example, they can no longer grab you. Cut off their legs and they’ll start to slowly crawl towards you instead of a sprint in a maddened charge.

Just like in Dead Space, Jacob Lee can also stomp enemies into oblivion once they’re downed. This is to ensure that enemies in The Callisto Protocol don’t get right back up again when your back’s turned.

Safe Vantage Point

Meanwhile, for ranged encounters, you have the GRP, which is a gravity-based restraint device that lets you push and pull targets away and towards you, respectively. The team is also leaning on the gore and sound effects to create a satisfying experience for the player when they manage to debilitate the monstrosities hindering their progress. Squishy, meaty, and bloody effects are all the rage in The Callisto Protocol.

Making use of the GRP should make Dead Space players feel right at home. Think of it as The Callisto Protocol’s upgraded answer to the Kinesis Module.

Furthermore, you can expect a streamlined skill tree system for weapon upgrades. Since the Stunbaton and GRP are your core weapons, you can expect them to have relatively larger trees.

There’s also going to be a pool skill, which is consumed depending on the size of the enemy you go up against. This auto-regens, however, it remains to be seen how its respective upgrade will look and function in the game.

Deader than Dead Space

The Callisto Protocol is only a few months away. However, you can opt to pre-order it on the PlayStation Store for $59.99 or $69.99, depending on the platform. Meanwhile, you can also purchase the Deluxe Edition for an additional $20. This gives cosmetic goodies such as the Retro Prisoner Skin and the Contraband Pack on top of the Season Pass.

---

For more news, check out Warframe The Duviri Paradox is a New Open-World Roguelite Mode, Ghost of Tsushima Almost at 10 Million Copies Sold, and Soulframe Preview – Everything We Know So Far.