A bevy of horror games are coming down the pipeline, and fans couldn't be happier. From indie titles like Fort Solis and Routine to massive AAA efforts like Resident Evil 4 Remake, there is a ton going on in the genre right now. Leading this charge are two horror games that draw from the same well: The Callisto Protocol and the Dead Space remake. With one title developed by Glen Schofield and fellow ex-Visceral Games employees, and the other being a remake of their past work, it's not hard to see how closely related these two titles are.
To hammer this point home even further, they're releasing fairly close to one another. Currently, The Callisto Protocol will release on December 2, 2022, while the Dead Space remake is currently set for January 27, 2023. It's an almost two month-long gap, which is for the best since these games look very similar. Both are survival horror games set on space colonies that feature mutant zombies that must be dismembered before they can be fully killed. While The Callisto Protocol emphasizes traditional action mechanics more, it's easy to mistake it for Dead Space, so it's good that it and the Dead Space remake have some breathing room.
The Callisto Protocol Can Reintroduce Players to Dead Space
Up first is The Callisto Protocol, a spiritual sequel to Dead Space in every sense of the word. It's good that it can get out in front so that this new IP is given a chance to prove itself, as well as demonstrate how far Dead Space has come. Glen Schofield and his team are very well aware of the series’ legacy, and of what worked and didn't in the original trilogy. To that end, The Callisto Protocol wants to deliver a similar but ultimately distinct experience from Dead Space. This should help fans prepare for a reintroduction to the regular thing come the Dead Space remake’s launch.
The Callisto Protocol is definitely updating its horror and gore for the modern times, but it's also taken a step back to reexamine its mechanics. Dead Space was inspired by Resident Evil 4, although it doubled down on both limb damage and survival horror aspects. The Callisto Protocol aims to recapture the melee elements that many fans loved about the arcade-like RE4, which could make it a point of comparison once both the Dead Space remake and the Resident Evil 4 Remake are out. With the ability to telekinetically fling enemies into the same environmental hazards that affect the hero Jacob, as well as a more involved melee combat system, The Callisto Protocol aims to push the Dead Space legacy forward.
The Dead Space Remake Builds On Its Predecessor's Strengths
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In contrast, the Dead Space remake is trying to perfect what's already there. Once fans have done their time in The Callisto Protocol's Black Iron prison colony, they can get to work stomping through the halls of the USG Ishimura with Isaac Clarke. Made by Star Wars Squadrons developer Motive Studio on the Frostbite engine, the Dead Space remake will provide a similar experience to the original game, while updating it to make use of modern hardware. One major selling point of this remake is that it will take advantage of SSDs in modern consoles to eliminate all loading screens, aiming to make a single-shot game reminiscent of the 2018 God of War.
That's not the only part of the presentation that has been overhauled. Isaac himself will be voiced this time around, with the intent being to keep him quiet but let him talk during moments where silence would be strange. The iconic Necromorphs will also be updated with realistic gore and an overhauled dismemberment system. Even though the story and structure are intended to be the same, the Dead Space remake is being rebuilt from the ground up with a modern soundscape, cutting edge visuals, and various accessibility features. It will be the most polished take possible on the horror classic, which should contrast well with The Callisto Protocol’s innovation.
The Callisto Protocol launches on December 2 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
