The Callisto Protocol's Mind-Blowing Final Transmission DLC Ending Unveiled!

WARNING: The following contains major spoilers for the Callisto Protocol and its Final Transmission DLC. Despite its highly anticipated release in December, the Callisto Protocol has faced numerous challenges. As the debut IP from Striking Distance Studios, Callisto was expected to meet the high standards of AAA games, but unfortunately fell short, disappointing many fans of Dead Space who were hoping for a worthy successor. Despite ongoing support from the studio, the conclusion of the recent Final Transmission DLC might indicate that Striking Distance is ready to move on.

In the aftermath of the intense cliffhanger ending of the Callisto Protocol, where protagonist Jacob hinted at sacrificing himself, Final Transmission seemed poised to bring closure and address some of the game's criticisms. Under the guidance of Dr. Caitlyn Mahler, Jacob embarks on a mission aboard a transport ship to escape, armed with incriminating data drives against the main game's villainous Commonality. However, as Jacob retraces his steps through the evolving Black Iron, he begins to exhibit signs of mental instability. Eventually, he is forced to confront an infected Mahler before making his way to an exit. Surprisingly, he manages to escape on the same ship that initially crashed on Callisto, but this revelation turns out to be disappointingly predictable.

Final Transmission's Ending is a Classic Cliche

As players rejoice at Callisto Protocol's surprisingly happy ending, the truth is revealed - the entire DLC was merely a dying dream experienced by Jacob, a broken and life-support dependent individual. Jacob, with his severely injured and limbless body, has been used by Mahler to extract data using his CORE link to the surviving Dani. As reality crumbles around them, the Black Iron Prison collapses on Mahler after she successfully uploads the data, revealing the true purpose of the Final Transmission.

While there is a possibility for The Callisto Protocol to continue despite the official death of its main character, many believe that the DLC signifies Striking Distance's departure from the IP. Fans were not expecting a satisfying conclusion, especially from an additional content, but it effectively concludes The Callisto Protocol as a closed project rather than one with potential for expansion. Consequently, the likelihood of The Callisto Protocol 2 seems highly improbable.

Why The Final Transmission's Ending is Controversial

The ending of Final Transmission has left Callisto fans extremely dissatisfied with the surprising conclusion that the entire expansion was just a dream. The trope of "it was all a dream" is widely disliked in storytelling, so it's not surprising that fans are disappointed. Furthermore, considering the protagonist's demise after the cliffhanger ending of the base game, some fans believe that there were originally more hopeful plans for the game that were abandoned.

The Callisto Protocol, meant to pay homage to the survival horror genre, sadly fell short of fans' expectations. It serves as a prime example of the risks involved in creating new intellectual property. Despite the controversial reception it received, the game deserves recognition for its attempt to introduce something fresh. While it may not have succeeded, it is evident that the developers put in their best efforts.

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