“It’s Hard as Hell, But It’s Fair”: The Callisto Protocol Gets a Free Hardcore Mode
The Callisto Protocol was already an unforgiving experience, tasking you with escaping Black Iron Prison amid an outbreak that turns its denizens into horrific biophages – but now it’s offering its sternest challenge yet. As part of a free update, Striking Distance Studios has introduced Hardcore Mode – and I caught up with Creative Director Ben Walker to dive into the new horrors it brings.
“It’s right there in the name – Hardcore Mode is just plain hardcore,” Walker begins. “We designed The Callisto Protocol to be tough, and with this new mode, we’re giving fans of really brutal gameplay a whole new level of challenge to master.
“We’re dramatically lowering the number of enemy drops, giving enemies more attacking power, shortening the time it takes for creatures to mutate, and giving items less resale value at the Reforge to make resources even tighter. We’re also reducing the damage doled out by the Stun Baton while making GRP charges more expensive.
“We’re also adding three new achievements for players who have what it takes to survive Hardcore Mode. But don’t say we didn’t warn you.”
Hardcore modes are a big part of the survival horror scene – in a genre all about getting through the experience against all odds, it’s perhaps no surprise that the most committed players want those odds made even harder. Even Striking Distance was amazed at how skilled these players were.
“Hardcore Mode has been on the roadmap for a while,” Walker says, “but after launch, we were blown away by the number of people that were actually beating the game on the Maximum Security mode [previously the toughest difficulty level] – it validated the concept, and we’re thrilled to give it to players. We didn’t pull any punches here, so we think it’ll offer our hardcore players a hardcore challenge.”
But that’s not say this was simply a case of making the game a one-death game over experience. Striking Distance focused on making this mode significantly different from Maximum Security without adding an artificial barrier. You will have less ammo and more health, which means you can be taken down by your enemies.
“A lot of other hardcore modes are focused on permadeath,” Walker explains. “We wanted to lean more into the turning and creating scarcity for items. This mode is all about pushing players’ skills to the limits […] It’s hard as hell, but it’s fair, and it’s a pretty awesome accomplishment for those that can get through it.”
This begs the question, how many studio employees have managed to defeat their Hardcore Mode?
“We’ve spent hundreds of hours playtesting the game, so lots of people around the studio have beaten the game on Hardcore Mode,” says Walker, “but I’ve still found myself sweating during some of the encounters. Two Head is my favorite. I haven’t thrown my controller yet, but I’ve come close once in a while. Beating it always feels like an accomplishment.”
However, there is one question: Can you defeat it? Get the answer today.
The free update Hardcore Mode, which is available now, can be downloaded for no cost. The Callisto ProtocolXbox Series X|S and Xbox One. Also out today is the Outer Way Skin Collection, the first of four DLC drops, available as part of the game’s Season Pass and sold separately. Callisto Protocol Season Passes are on Sale with 20% Off until February 13.
The Callisto Protocol™ for Xbox Series X|S – Digital Deluxe Edition
KRAFTON, Inc.
$89.99
In this narrative-driven, third-person survival horror game set 300 years in the future, the player will take on the role of Jacob Lee – a victim of fate thrown into Black Iron Prison, a maximum-security penitentiary located on Jupiter’s moon, Callisto. Prisoners transform into terrifying creatures and the prison explodes into chaos. Jacob will need to fight for his safety in Black Iron Prison to escape. He also needs to uncover the disturbing and dark secrets beneath Callisto’s surface. Jacob’s unique mix of shooting and close quarters combat will allow him to adjust his strategies to fight the ever-changing creatures. While scavenging for weapons and gear to help escape the growing danger, Jacob also needs to hunt down new tools, equipment, and skills to survive the horrors of Jupiter’s Dead Moon.
HORROR ENGINEERING
Glen Schofield has created The Callisto Protocol, a new-generation version of survival horror. The Callisto Protocol combines atmosphere, tension, brutality, with frightening moments in helplessness and humanity.
UNCOVER THE UNITED JAIPTER COMPANY’S RETRIEVES
Set on Jupiter’s dead moon Callisto in the year 2320, The Callisto Protocol casts players as Jacob Lee, an inmate in Black Iron Prison. Jacob faces his deepest fears as a result of a mysterious eruption that causes chaos on the moon. As he works to unravel the mysteries behind the United Jupiter Company, Jacob will have to face his darkest fears in order defeat these bloodthirsty monsters.
MASTER BRUTAL – STRATEGIC COMPANY
Callisto Protocol is a challenge to players. They must master both hand-tohand and ranged combat. The gravity weapon was used once by Black Iron guards in order to keep the prisoners under control. The Callisto Protocol will require players to confront their most grotesque adversaries, cutting off their legs and hacking away at their limbs to make it through each encounter.
EXPERIENCE JUPITER’S DEAD MOON ISOLATION
One of the most hostile, isolated environments in the universe, Callisto looms large over Jacob’s desperate struggle to survive. Players must not only contend with the horrors of Black Iron Prison, but also the centuries-old secrets that plague Jupiter’s long-dead moon, both above and below the surface.
You can pre-order the following digital content now:
– Retro Prisoner Character & Weapons Skin
– Season Pass
Season Passes include:
Outer Way skin collection: Wear the Outer Way’s armor as you struggle to survive Callisto’s terrors.
Contagion Bundle – Experience the ultimate survival horror with Contagion, a brand new mode. With reduced ammo and health drops, a customized difficulty and permadeath – there are no second chances to escape Black Iron Prison or the horrors lurking beneath the surface of Callisto. Contagion Bundle contains thirteen additional Jacob death animations, as well the Watchtower Skin Collection.
Riot Bundle. Explore an area previously unknown to Black Iron Prison, and fight through waves of brutal enemies. You can earn credits that you can use to improve your weaponry or create new weapons. Then, survive as much as possible in Riot. Riot Bundle includes 12 new enemy death animations as well as the Engineer Skin Collection.
Story DLC – Explore more about the shocking secrets in The Callisto Protocol
The Callisto Protocol™ for Xbox Series X|S
KRAFTON, Inc.
$69.99
In this narrative-driven, third-person survival horror game set 300 years in the future, the player will take on the role of Jacob Lee – a victim of fate thrown into Black Iron Prison, a maximum-security penitentiary located on Jupiter’s moon, Callisto. Prisoners transform into terrifying creatures and the prison explodes into chaos. Jacob will need to fight for his safety in Black Iron Prison to escape. He also needs to uncover the disturbing and dark secrets beneath Callisto’s surface. Jacob’s unique mix of shooting and close quarters combat will allow him to adjust his strategies to fight the ever-changing creatures. While scavenging for weapons and gear to help escape the rising threat, Jacob also needs to hunt down new tools, equipment, and skills to survive the horrors of Jupiter’s Dead Moon.
HORROR ENGINEERING
Glen Schofield has created The Callisto Protocol, a new-generation version of survival horror. The Callisto Protocol blends atmosphere, tension and brutality with frightening moments of helplessness or humanity. It is a story that pulses and places players into a world where unimaginable horrors await.
UNCOVER THE UNITED JUPITER COMPANY’S SECRETS
Set on Jupiter’s dead moon Callisto in the year 2320, The Callisto Protocol casts players as Jacob Lee, an inmate in Black Iron Prison. Jacob faces his deepest fears as he battles bloodthirsty monsters and mysteriously throws the moon in chaos.
MASTER BRUTAL – STRATEGIC COMPANY
Callisto Protocol is a challenge to players. They must master both hand-tohand and ranged combat. The gravity weapon was used once by Black Iron guards in order to keep the prisoners under control. The Callisto Protocol will require players to confront their most vile opponents. They’ll be required to hack off their legs and get creative using whatever they have available to them to survive every life-or-death situation.
YOU CAN EXPERIENCE JUPITER’S DEAD MOON ISOLATION
One of the most hostile, isolated environments in the universe, Callisto looms large over Jacob’s desperate struggle to survive. Players must not only contend with the horrors of Black Iron Prison, but also the centuries-old secrets that plague Jupiter’s long-dead moon, both above and below the surface.
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