What is interesting and an expansion on Dead Space’s previous dismemberment mechanics against Necromorphs is that The Callisto Protocol has not only introduced a new impetus for players to prioritize cutting up enemies, but that it’s achieved this through new development techniques on its game engine. If fans of the Dead Space series still had any doubts about whether The Callisto Protocol could find its own identity as a spiritual successor and give Dead Space some competition, then these mechanics and the attention to detail developer Striking Distance Studios is taking should put these doubts to rest.
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Technical Development of The Callisto Protocol’s Dismemberment Mechanic
When speaking with IGN, Striking Distance Studios CTO Mark James gave players some insight into the behind-the-scenes development of The Callisto Protocol, especially regarding its choice to forego developing an in-house engine and instead choose Unreal Engine version 4.27. While James acknowledges the security and versatility of using a tried-and-tested game engine for The Callisto Protocol, he does explain how some systems needed to be reworked or built from scratch to achieve the vision Striking Distance Studios had for The Callisto Protocol’s lifelike gore, visuals, and design. Among these new systems is The Callisto Protocol’s dismemberment mechanics.
By modifying Unreal’s Simple Demolitions System, James confirms that the changes made to improve the dismemberment mechanics were done to achieve a more realistic tone that matched The Callisto Protocol’s ethos. In short, Striking Distance Studios has given enemy models skeletons and then layered these with additional flesh and muscle, so that inflicting damage is directly reflected with realistic visual wounds. This is likely something that The Callisto Protocol will factor into players’ strategy as they play, as it’s enabled the potential of its new mutation mechanic to expand beyond Dead Space’s rudimentary limb-removal.
The Callisto Protocol’s Dismemberment and Mutations Go Hand In Hand
Also revealed at this year’s Gamescom, The Callisto Protocol is going beyond what Dead Space had achieved by literally evolving its combat and enemies. If left unchecked by the player, The Callisto Protocol’s new mutation mechanic will see enemies mutate and grow into more formidable opponents that pose an even greater threat. While paralleling Necromorphs’ ability to transform dead bodies, The Callisto Protocol appears to go a step further by making these transformations occur in real-time. Characterized by visceral tendrils emerging from enemies’ bodies, players will need to prioritize dealing with mutating foes in order to avoid situations they might not be equipped to handle.
This is where Striking Distance Studios’ modified dismemberment system comes in, as it appears mutations will occur when players have wounded but not yet killed enemies during combat. By extension of this, The Callisto Protocol’s commitment to close-quarters melee combat and realistic wounds will allow players to see in real-time how enemies are transforming. These two mechanics, inspired by Dead Space’s own design, are moving beyond its original scope and providing players with a more immersive, engaging gameplay experience. The two complementing one another is a significant improvement and shows how The Callisto Protocol is expanding the game design.
The Callisto Protocol is set to release on December 2, 2022, for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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Source: IGN
