The Callisto Protocol - Final Transmission - Game Review

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Published on July 8, 2023 1:00:22 PM ● Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcQqBy5v-fE

Game:

The Callisto Protocol (2022)

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Review

Duration: 4:17

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The Callisto Protocol - Final Transmission - Game Review

What's up, everyone? Welcome back to Veteran Game channel, your dedicated source of game reviews, tips, and much more! Today we'll be delving into the long-awaited DLC for The Callisto Protocol, aptly titled "Final Transmission". So buckle up, sit tight and let's dissect this gaming journey.

After seven grueling months of anticipation, Final Transmission has finally hit the gaming market, rising from the ashes of mixed reception that The Callisto Protocol initially received. Picking up right from where the base game left off, our protagonist Jacob continues his pursuit of freedom from the eerie Black Iron Prison. But as with any thrilling horror story, not everything is as it seems.

As Jacob threads his way through the now familiar environment of the prison, strange words and symbols appear, pulling us deeper into the mystery that lies beneath. This brought a glimmer of hope that maybe the game would explore his delusions and create an engaging psychological twist to the story. But alas, just as it starts to take shape, we are already standing at the doorstep of the finale. A potential storytelling goldmine left unexplored, ending in a predictable plot twist that leaves a bittersweet taste.

The gameplay in Final Transmission remains largely unchanged. Navigating through a linear environment with monsters occasionally popping up to break the monotony, it offers a slightly different path. Armed with weapons from the end of the main game, the repetitive melee combat, although subject to much criticism, has largely remained unchanged.

New to the game are biomechanical sentries, mechanical menaces that were touted as a formidable challenge. But their introduction only leads to disappointment as they fall easily to bullets and batons, and later even succumb to a mighty hammer that the game graciously bestows upon you. What could have been an exciting element instead turns into just another enemy with a larger health bar.

The ambiance and atmosphere, supposed pillars of any horror game, fall flat. Jump scares and eerie environments that could have been exploited for building tension and fear, serve little more than ornamental purposes. This further amplifies the sense of wasted potential that weaves itself into the fabric of Final Transmission.

The game seems laden with promising ideas, none of which reach fruition. The story remains shallow and the horror elements of the game, apart from the occasional gore, feel underwhelming. My favorite element, the GRP combat, loses its charm in the absence of new enemies. Final Transmission mechanically functions but doesn't really innovate or push the boundaries. It's like eating plain Cheerios for breakfast when you could be having a gourmet feast.

It's hard not to notice the considerable resources that must have been invested in achieving the game's ultra-realistic graphics. And yet, the irony is, despite all the effort and a hefty part of the $160 million budget, the game's photorealism has already been overshadowed by titles like Resident Evil 4 and Final Fantasy XVI.

In an industry where high-end visuals are becoming the Holy Grail of game development, The Callisto Protocol and its DLC, Final Transmission, showcase the pitfalls of such an approach. Games are now taking double the time to develop, as compared to the previous generations, primarily because of the tremendous effort required to create stunning visuals. And while the pursuit of photorealism is commendable, it should not come at the cost of gameplay, story, and overall enjoyment.

In conclusion, I'd like to stress this: to all publishers out there, not all titles need to emulate the real world in minute detail. To all the gamers, don't dismiss games simply because they lack immaculate graphics. Games should primarily be about how they play, they should be evaluated on that above all else. As gamers, we must embrace titles that put gameplay, story, and creativity first, rather than being simply a feast for the eyes. And with that thought, I'll sign off today. Keep gaming, keep exploring, and as always, stay tuned for more reviews on Veteran Game channel!