There is a popular search going around at the moment asking whetherThe Callisto Protocolis connected toDead Space. It is true that both games share a lot of similarities, and asThe Callisto Protocolnears its launch next month, it is only natural for fans to wonder if the two are at all related.The Callisto Protocolis an unfamiliar title with characters that players may not have seen before, but it is true that fans could easily be mistaken by how comparableThe Callisto Protocol’s gameplay and atmosphere is toDead Space’s.
The Callisto Protocol’s biophages are even quite similar toDead Space’s necromorphs.Dead Spaceis a remarkably popular franchise, and even though there has not been a new installment sinceDead Space 3,EA Motive’sDead Spaceremakemay be the entry needed to stoke that flame again. In the meantime, fans are being treated to an original IP inThe Callisto Protocol. But whileThe Callisto Protocolshares no continuity relation toDead Space, it certainly draws an enormous amount of unabashed inspiration from its seminal iconography.
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The Callisto Protocolis not connected toDead Space, at least not in terms of their original narratives or IPs. The two IPs are completely independent of one another, but there are clear reasons why fans may think they are interconnected.
The Callisto Protocol’s Striking Distance Studios is helmed by Glen Schofield, who also createdDead Space, and so if any developer was going to share influences fromDead Spaceit is only natural that it would be the creator. Besides the fact that both IPs indulge in science-fiction survival-horror with gruesome enemy dismemberment, both also share minimal HUD UI and an over-the-shoulder third-person perspective.
If fans did not know about eitherDead SpaceorThe Callisto Protocol, they might assume that they were one and the same after looking at a couple screenshots or brief snippets of their gameplay. Knowing what fans know, however, it is made evident thatThe Callisto Protocolis its own game. TheDead Spacefranchise would surely excel if it was being revived in such a fashion, andThe Callisto Protocolwould seemingly serve to gain nothing from hiding any potential relations to it.
The Callisto Protocol is Making an Effort to Be Its Own Unique IP
Instead, it seems thatThe Callisto Protocolis attempting to identify itself independently ofDead Spacewhile still mimicking its niche game design and science-fiction setting. For example, if it was truly connected toDead Space’s IP, then that would have meantDead Spacewas almost part ofPUBGas well beforeThe Callisto Protocoldecided not to pursue that narrative continuity.
Moreover,The Callisto Protocol’s gameplay is highly distinguishable, affording players many more options in combat thanDead Spacehad. It seems as though the game’s similarities toDead Spaceare considered a boon, however, due to how popular its iconography is.
IfThe Callisto Protocolcan iterate on that and establish an advantageous connection through gameplay, then it may be an agreeable transition for fans ofDead Spaceto make. It is also important to note that whileThe Callisto Protocolis not explicitly connected toDead Space, it is possible that the game may have Easter eggs strewn about for fans of the franchise to find.
This may or may not allude to such connections, and it may be fun for Striking Distance Studios to capitalize on those relations themselves, even if they are not entirely canonical. ButifThe Callisto Protocoltruly wishes to step out from underDead Space’s shadow, it needs to deny these impulses and provide a wholly unique experience.
The Callisto Protocolreleases December 2 on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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