After skipping the PS4 and Xbox One generation, the beloved survival horror franchise Dead Space could be returning — in more ways than one if recent reports are any indication. A remake of the original Dead Space is seemingly in the works at EA's Motive Studios and could be announced at the upcoming EA Play Live event.
While a Dead Space Remake with next-gen visuals and modernized controls sounds intriguing, it's not the only Dead Space-like survival horror game in development. The Game Awards 2020 saw the reveal of The Callisto Protocol, a survival horror game from the newly formed studio of the co-creator of Dead Space. The Callisto Protocol looks like everything Dead Space 4 could have been, but a Dead Space Remake and a plausible Dead Space reboot could have huge implications on the former.
A Dead Space Remake May Not Bode Well for The Callisto Protocol
Remakes of cult classic titles have become a popular and successful trend in the video games industry and show no sign of stopping. Resident Evil 2 and Final Fantasy 7 remakes are perfect examples of the modern reincarnation of decades-old video games. Suffice it to say, Dead Space seems to be following the same route, with a remake of the first game seemingly on the way. While this is good news for Dead Space and its fans, it could prove to be an inconvenience for Dead Space's spiritual successor, The Callisto Protocol.
The biggest highlight of The Callisto Protocol's reveal trailer is its shocking resemblance to the Dead Space games. The dark prison-based setting of Jupiter IV reeks of the cosmic and sci-fi horror roots of Dead Space. The character in the trailer also has a similar holographic health meter like Isaac from Dead Space that indicates that The Callisto Protocol isn't holding back on its Dead Space influences.
The Callisto Protocol aims to fill in the void of Dead Space games and is also seemingly marketed in the same way, but with Dead Space Remake and a brand new Dead Space game in the works, things may not work in its favor. A new Dead Space game could sell well solely on the nostalgia factor. On the other hand, The Callisto Protocol is a new IP in development at a new studio that is relying on its Dead Space roots and Dead Space's co-creator Glen Schofield for marketing. It means that if the latter ends up leaving the project, The Callisto Protocol could lose the attention it has gotten so far and fall under the radar.
Not every positively received video game becomes a best-seller, and The Evil Within 2 is a perfect example of it. Despite being a good survival horror game, The Evil Within 2 didn't meet sales expectations. While there could be plenty of reasons for this, the non-involvement of the acclaimed Shinji Mikami in a directorial way could have been a factor. The Evil Within had initially garnished attention for being Shinji Mikami's next big game and a possible successor to Resident Evil 4. The Callisto Protocol could fall off the radar for a similar reason if it happens, even more so if the original Dead Space returns and launches in close proximity to it.
The alleged Dead Space Remake seems to check all the right boxes so far, with the project seemingly being inspired by Resident Evil 2 Remake. It could easily steal the spotlight from The Callisto Protocol if EA decides to showcase gameplay and reveal a release date for the game. As such, The Callisto Protocol's greatest strength could be its biggest weakness, given how fans have yet to see how similar or different it plays from Dead Space. Alternatively, if the Dead Space Remake or Dead Space reboot is years away at this point, The Callisto Protocol could also serve as the perfect appetizer for hardcore Dead Space fans as they wait for the next entry.
The Callisto Protocol could make a name for itself and be a unique experience of its own. The game is set in the PUBG universe, and while it may not be everyone's favorite video game world, it certainly makes things interesting for The Callisto Protocol. The rumored Dead Space Remake could certainly shake things up for The Callisto Protocol for better or worse though fans have to wait a while before they find out.