‘It’s hard as hell but fair’: Callisto protocol gets free hardcore mode

Callisto Protocol was already an unrelenting test in which you had to escape from the Dark Iron prison during the epidemic that turned its inhabitants into terrible biophages, but now it offers the most serious test. As part of a free update, Striking Distance Studios introduced a hardcore mode and I sat down with creative director Ben Walker to dive into the new horror it brings.
“It’s right there in the name – Hardcore Mode is just hardcore,” Walker begins. “We have developed Callisto Protocol be tough and with this new mode we are giving fans of really brutal gameplay a whole new level of difficulty.
“We are significantly reducing the number of enemies that drop, giving enemies more offensive power, reducing the time it takes for creatures to mutate, and lowering the resale value of items in Reforge to make resources even more limited. We’re also reducing the damage dealt by the stun baton and making GRP charges more expensive.
“We are also adding three new achievements for players who have everything they need to survive in hardcore mode. But don’t say we didn’t warn you.
Hardcore modes are an important part of the survival horror scene – in a genre dedicated to gaining experience against the odds, it’s no surprise that the most dedicated players want these odds to get even harder. But even Striking Distance surprised how skilled these players can be:
“Hardcore mode was on the horizon for a while,” Walker says, “but after launch we were amazed at the number of people who actually played the game in maximum security mode. [previously the toughest difficulty level] – this proved the concept, and we are pleased to present it to the players. We didn’t take any hits here, so we think this will offer our hardcore players a hardcore challenge.”
But that doesn’t mean it was just a case of turning the game into a one-death game rather than experience. With Strike Distance, the focus was on how to make it noticeably different from Maximum Security without just adding an artificial barrier. This means less ammo and health, lower smuggling costs, and even more enemies looking to destroy you:
“A lot of other hardcore modes are perma-death focused,” Walker explains. “We wanted to rely more on turning and creating scarcity of items. This mode is designed to push players’ skills to the limit. […] It’s hard as hell, but it’s fair, and it’s a pretty cool achievement for someone who can get through it.”
Which begs the question: how many people in the studio actually managed to get past their own hardcore mode?
“We spent hundreds of hours testing the game, so many people in the studio went through the game in hardcore mode,” says Walker, “but I still sweated during some of the encounters. Especially with the two-headed one. I haven’t dropped my controller yet, but I’ve gotten close to it from time to time. Defeating him always feels like an achievement.”
But one key question remains: can you beat him? Find out today.
Hardcore Mode is a free update available today for Callisto Protocol on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One. Also releasing today is the Outer Way Skin Collection, the first of four DLCs available as part of the game. Season ticket And sold separately. The Callisto Protocol Season Pass is on sale with 20% discountuntil February 13th.

Callisto Protocol™ for Xbox Series X|S – Digital Deluxe Edition
KRAFTON, OOO
$89.99
In this third-person narrative survival horror game set 300 years in the future, the player takes on the role of Jacob Lee, a victim of fate thrown into the Black Iron Prison, a maximum security prison located on the moon of Jupiter. Callisto. As the prisoners begin to transform into monstrous creatures, chaos reigns in the prison. To survive, Jacob must fight his way to safety in order to escape the Dark Iron prison, uncovering the dark and disturbing secrets hidden beneath Callisto’s surface. Using a unique combination of shooting and melee combat, Jacob will have to adapt his tactics to deal with rapidly changing creatures, scavenging to unlock new weapons, gear and abilities to stay ahead of the rising threat and escape the horrors of Jupiter’s Dead Moon. HORROR ENGINEERING The Callisto Protocol is a new take on survival horror from Glenn Schofield. Mixing atmosphere, tension and violence with horrific moments of helplessness and humanity, The Callisto Protocol immerses players in a breathtaking story where unspeakable horrors lurk around every corner. UNLOCK THE SECRETS OF JUPITER UNITED COMPANY The Callisto Protocol takes place on Jupiter’s dead moon Callisto in the year 2320. Players play Jacob Lee, a prisoner in the Dark Iron Prison. When a mysterious outbreak throws the moon into chaos, Jacob must face his darkest fears to defeat the bloodthirsty creatures that haunt him as he unravel dark mysteries at the heart of the mighty United Jupiter Company. CREATE BRUTAL STRATEGIC BATTLE In Callisto Protocol, players will master an exciting mix of melee and ranged combat, including a unique gravity weapon once used by Dark Iron guards to control prisoners. Players will be forced to get close to their grotesque opponents, chopping off limbs, tearing off legs, and getting creative with everything at their disposal to survive every life-and-death bout. JUPITER’S DEAD MOON ISOLATION EXPERIENCE One of the most hostile, isolated environments in the universe, Callisto looms over Jacob’s desperate struggle for survival. Players must contend not only with the horrors of the Dark Iron Prison, but also with centuries of secrets that haunt Jupiter’s long-dead moon, both above and below the surface. Pre-order now to get the following digital content: – Retro prisoner skin and weapons – Season Pass The Season Pass includes: Outer Way Skin Collection: Wear the armor of the Outer Way, an underground rebel movement that opposes the UJC, as you fight to survive the horrors of Callisto. Infestation Pack: Experience epic survival horror adventures in the new Infestation mode. With reduced ammo and health, individual difficulty, and permanent death, you won’t get a second chance to escape the Dark Iron Prison or the horrors lurking beneath Callisto’s surface. The Contagion bundle also includes thirteen new Jacob death animations and a collection of Watchtower skins. Riot Bundle: Venture into the previously unexplored area of Black Iron Prison and battle waves of brutal enemies. Collect credits to upgrade your weapons or create new ones, and survive the onslaught for as long as possible in Riot, a brand new mode. The Riot Bundle also includes twelve new enemy death animations and a collection of Engineer skins. Plot Addition: Uncover the horrific secrets of the Callisto Protocol.

Callisto™ Protocol for Xbox Series X|S
KRAFTON, OOO
$69.99
In this third-person narrative survival horror game set 300 years in the future, the player takes on the role of Jacob Lee, a victim of fate thrown into the Black Iron Prison, a maximum security prison located on the moon of Jupiter. Callisto. As the prisoners begin to transform into monstrous creatures, chaos reigns in the prison. To survive, Jacob must fight his way to safety in order to escape the Dark Iron prison, uncovering the dark and disturbing secrets hidden beneath Callisto’s surface. Using a unique combination of shooting and melee combat, Jacob will have to adapt his tactics to deal with rapidly changing creatures, scavenging to unlock new weapons, gear and abilities to stay ahead of the rising threat and escape the horrors of Jupiter’s Dead Moon. HORROR ENGINEERING The Callisto Protocol is a new take on survival horror from Glenn Schofield. Mixing atmosphere, tension and violence with horrific moments of helplessness and humanity, The Callisto Protocol immerses players in a breathtaking story where unspeakable horrors lurk around every corner. UNLOCK THE SECRETS OF JUPITER UNITED COMPANY The Callisto Protocol takes place on Jupiter’s dead moon Callisto in the year 2320. Players play Jacob Lee, a prisoner in the Dark Iron Prison. When a mysterious outbreak throws the moon into chaos, Jacob must face his darkest fears to defeat the bloodthirsty creatures that haunt him as he unravels dark mysteries at the heart of the mighty United Jupiter Company. CREATE BRUTAL STRATEGIC BATTLE In Callisto Protocol, players will master an exciting mix of melee and ranged combat, including a unique gravity weapon once used by Dark Iron guards to control prisoners. Players will be forced to get close to their grotesque opponents, chopping off limbs, tearing off legs, and getting creative with everything at their disposal to survive every life-and-death bout. JUPITER’S DEAD MOON ISOLATION EXPERIENCE One of the most hostile, isolated environments in the universe, Callisto looms over Jacob’s desperate struggle for survival. Players must contend not only with the horrors of the Dark Iron Prison, but also with centuries of mysteries that haunt Jupiter’s long-dead moon, both above and below the surface.