A Glimmer of Hope: Why Callisto Protocol 2 May Yet Surpass Expectations

The Callisto Protocol had built up significant excitement leading up to its release in December. Aspired to be a spiritual successor to the renowned Dead Space series, with the involvement of several original development team members, there were high hopes for the game. However, despite the best efforts of the creative team at Striking Distance Studios, The Callisto Protocol received mixed reviews and fell short of its potential for many players.

Although the Dead Space remake quickly overshadowed it a month after its launch, The Callisto Protocol was not a complete failure. It garnered a decent fanbase who appreciated its immersive atmosphere, impressive graphics, and unique focus on melee combat. These fans still hold out hope for a sequel, despite the game's flaws. Nevertheless, it is unlikely that a follow-up to The Callisto Protocol will be produced, even though there have been worse horror games released in recent years.

The Callisto Protocol's Disappointing Sales Figures

Creating AAA video games is a challenging feat, especially for a new studio. Striking Distance Studios, comprised of developers from Visceral (the masterminds behind Dead Space) and the Call of Duty series, faced this daunting task. Although opinions may vary on The Callisto Protocol's design and gameplay, there is no denying the game's exceptional production quality. Throughout its entirety, the game boasts photo-realistic character models, impressive lighting, and an immersive audio design – all of which came at a substantial cost.

Consequently, immense pressure mounted on the game's success, as the studio hoped to recoup its investment. Internally, the company estimated that The Callisto Protocol would need to sell a minimum of 5 million units. At the time of writing, the game has reached a total sales figure of 2 million. While this may seem commendable for a debut title, it fell short of the studio's expectations. Regardless of a game's quality or fanbase, financial success remains crucial. If the original fails to attract a substantial audience and generate significant profits, securing funding for a sequel becomes an arduous task for higher management to consider.

Mixed Reception and Better Alternatives

Upon its release, The Callisto Protocol received mixed reviews, with many gaming publications pointing out several issues that prevented it from reaching the same level as its contemporaries such as Dead Space and Resident Evil. While it is worth mentioning that The Callisto Protocol took a different approach by prioritizing melee combat over extensive gunplay, this decision was criticized for feeling clunky and repetitive. In the gaming industry, financial success and critical reception both play vital roles in determining the likelihood of a sequel. Unfortunately, The Callisto Protocol's reviews were not overwhelmingly positive, which could lead to a lack of interest from players and subsequently diminish the possibility of a continuation of this franchise.

Speaking of Dead Space and Resident Evil, both of these series are currently thriving. They have successfully released outstanding new installments in 2023, and with other survival horror games like Alan Wake 2 set to be released in the same year, the genre is flooded with content, leaving little room for The Callisto Protocol to make a mark. Considering the competitive nature of this field and the lukewarm response to the original game, it is highly unlikely that a sequel to The Callisto Protocol will be pursued.

The Callisto Protocol is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.