Because of how closely and unabashedly The Callisto Protocol resembles Dead Space, fans would not be wrong for believing that the former would also rely solely on its original mutant creatures for enemy types. Of course, one of the many benefits of having a mutant enemy that can evolve and adapt in several ways from the origins of human tissue is that many designs can be engineered out of that concept.
Enemy diversity is rarely ever a make-or-break for most games, but because The Callisto Protocol is somewhat riding on the coattails of its spiritual predecessor, it likely feels some sort of obligation to at least match that of Dead Space. Fans already know that there will be many biophage enemies throughout the game, such as the Blind biophage The Callisto Protocol recently revealed. More secrets may be in store for players when the game releases, but one enemy type that has already been shown demonstrates that the game's enemy diversity will be great.
Dead Space's Enemy Diversity Revolves Almost Exclusively Around Necromorphs
Dead Space features enemy diversity within the necromorph mutations that spawn and adapt from human corpses, and that diversity extends even further in its sequels. Necromorphs have taken on all manner of shape and scale with sharp implements that players could tear off and use as projectiles or explosive appendages that could be hurled at an incoming mob of other necromorphs.
Necromorphs also provide many instances of dread in dark corridors where they may suddenly appear from a ceiling or ventilation duct. The player’s inherent lack of omnipotence makes navigating these corridors horrifying, though they are well-equipped even if they only wield a plasma cutter. However, after three installments of Dead Space, the necromorph enemy seems exhausted, and it may have been refreshing to see another enemy type besides them, so long as they still felt like they belonged to the game’s unique science-fiction atmosphere.
To be fair, Dead Space 3 did introduce human enemies in its subtle transition toward being more of an action game than a survival-horror game. This transition is far less exciting in such an established franchise of science-fiction and body horror, where human enemies simply fail to live up to how tense and engaging it is to encounter any necromorph in comparison.
The game’s tone completely shifts when players are suddenly being fired at from waist-high cover, and those sequences are hardly as memorable as any other necromorph encounter. The Dead Space franchise arguably never needed human enemies for players to contend with, and The Callisto Protocol ingeniously demonstrates that there are other fascinating means in science-fiction to explore for enemies.
The Callisto Protocol Having Enemies Besides Biophages is a Smart Play
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The Callisto Protocol will likely feature its own plethora of distinct biophage enemies that may rival the amount of necromorphs that the original Dead Space introduced. But in The Callisto Protocol’s decided-upon locale of a prison in space, it is wonderful to see Striking Distance Studios approaching its unique penitentiary environment with an enemy type that can be authentic to it.
That is why hulking robots with the word “security” painted on their chests and armed with advanced armaments are excellent additions to The Callisto Protocol. Security robots remain appropriate to the atmosphere of The Callisto Protocol’s science-fiction dystopia. Further, as Black Iron Prison is devastated and overrun during the events of The Callisto Protocol, security robots are seemingly left as a final defensive threat preventing inmates from fleeing.
This could be even more terrifying than mutant creatures since these robots will kill inmates indiscriminately. Likewise, security robots are not limited by the flesh and tissue of biophages that Jacob Lee can carve and cut away at, which may mean that players need better firearms to take down these mechanical husks.
This is only one other new enemy type shown besides its primary biophages, but it still does wonders for the game’s atmosphere in a penitentiary. The Callisto Protocol could have easily chosen to have human guards, but it is infinitely more exciting that robots were selected instead. It will be interesting to see what other biophage designs are included in The Callisto Protocol, and if other surprises besides security robots are introduced as enemy types when the game releases in December.
The Callisto Protocol launches December 2 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.