Sticking to what you know can be a reliable way to succeed sometimes, so it shouldn't be a surprise that one of the creators of Dead Space is back with another slow and terrifying space horror game.

The Callisto Protocol is gruesome and gory, and it's out now, so find out all the key details about it right here.

The Callisto Protocol Day One Edition - PlayStation 5

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The Callisto Protocol release date

The Callisto Protocol came out on 2 December 2022, just in time to give players a fix of horror before the holidays if they want it.

There were brief rumours that it would be delayed, but these were quashed by the development team in early October 2022.

Interestingly, though, one late-notice change is that the game won't be getting a native version in Japan, after changes requested by the local board of censors were declined by the developers of The Callisto Protocol.

The Callisto Protocol platforms

This is a pretty fine-looking game, but that doesn't mean it's locked onto newer hardware only - The Callisto Protocol is out for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S.

That means you can enjoy it on just about any modern console you like, apart from the Nintendo Switch.

However, we'd obviously advise that the versions for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S run more reliably and have higher visual fidelity.

Everything we know about The Callisto Protocol: Trailers, release date and platforms photo 2
Striking Distance Studios

The Callisto Protocol story

Interestingly, The Callisto Protocol has had one major change to its story approach, before we get to specifics. When it was first announced, it was billed as part of an expanding universe by publisher Krafton, tying into its main franchise, PUBG.

That was something that was always going to be a stretch - a science fiction space horror game that tied back into a modern-day battle royale shooter? It's thankfully been abandoned, too - in May 2022 we had it confirmed that the game is now set in its own world with independent lore.

That lore sees us playing as Jacob Lee, imprisoned on Callisto, one of Jupiter's moons, in a jail called Black Iron. Outside his cell, though, things are going absolutely haywire as a mysterious disease or infection tears through the prisoners and prison staff alike.

You'll soon break free and have one main objective - survive whatever hellish stuff is happening and get off Callisto if you possibly can.

Everything we know about The Callisto Protocol: Trailers, release date and platforms photo 4
Striking Distance Studios

The Callisto Protocol gameplay

Here's where things get interesting - Glen Schofield, who you can see in a trailer further up the page discussing the game's story, is one of the creators of Dead Space, and the similarities between The Callisto Protocol and that blockbuster franchise are incredibly clear.

You once again play as a slow-moving guy with his health bar displayed on the back of his body, using a selection of projectile weapons with ammo counts projected out of their backs rather than superimposed on an intrusive HUD.

It's also a space-set atmospheric horror game with alien enemies that have mutated and horrifically reshaped human bodies into body-horror monstrosities and includes death animations for when you mess up that could scar you for life.

Things are highly reminiscent, then, but that doesn't have to be a bad thing, and with a remake of Dead Space itself also coming down the pike, things are looking up for sci-fi horror fans.

Schofield has said that ammunition will be scarce at all times, in true survival horror style, so you'll have to use the environment to help you out, and we've seen moments where spinning fans and vents have helped the player get rid of enemies (or be eviscerated themself).

Everything we know about The Callisto Protocol: Trailers, release date and platforms photo 5
Striking Distance Studios

There have also been glimpses of a tech upgrade called Grip, which lets Jacob grab heavy objects, including enemies, to move them about - it opens up a lot of possibilities and looks really cool while you're using it.

It looks like eerie fun, but the emphasis is also firmly on horror so expect a lot of ratcheting tension and jump scares when you're least ready for them. You wouldn't want it any other way!