Striking Distance Studios and KRAFTON have recently updated their survival space horror, The Callisto Protocol with a free Hardcore Mode and New Game Plus. Players will be able to experience a heart-pounding mode that is designed to push them to their limits. Those returning to the space prison on Jupiter’s moon will realize that ammo, health, and credits are much harder to come by in this new difficulty mode. Enemy damage has been amped up as well as their mutation speed. This is the challenge that many players have been asking for. Along with this new mode, owners of the Season Pass will also be treated with new skins.

The Callisto Protocol did launch with a rocky start on PC with various visual glitches and performance issues that really hurt the game’s launch. It is really a shame, considering the game is a fantastic survival horror title, delivering stunning visuals and quite a few frights along the way.

It would seem like space survival horrors are a dime a dozen with the recent launch of the Dead Space remake as well, and it is especially intriguing knowing that the former developers of the original Dead Space have crafted The Callisto Protocol as a spiritual successor. Knowing all of this may undoubtedly have players compare the two, but in actuality, the games are quite different and each deserves its own praise.

Dead Space was able to redefine expectations for a remake and glorified what made the original a classic. While The Callisto Protocol manages to breathe fresh life into the genre with superior visuals and an impressive cast. It also nailed the survival horror feel with scarce ammo and health, along with punishingly difficult enemies, especially so in the harder difficulties. This is exactly why Hardcore Mode is really for the true survival horror fans searching for the ultimate challenge.

The Callisto Protocol is available now on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam and EGS.