Gaming

The Callisto Protocol review: Gory visuals, gory gameplay

Good form, but is there substance?

Published

December 13, 2022

Luigi Leonardo

What makes for a good horror title? More than a smattering of jump scares, critically acclaimed titles are often smooth assemblages of grotesque imagery, chill-inducing sound design, and foreboding background storytelling. By themselves, these elements can create an amazing film or series. However, a horror game needs so much more to be effectively scary.

Today, a lot of games rely on a bag of tricks — sparse resources, brutishly overpowered enemies, emphasis on sneaking — to keep players on their toes throughout the entire playthrough. Branching from a long tradition of similar games, The Callisto Protocol is the latest title to take on the genre. Can it leverage horrifying storytelling with tense gameplay?

Back to sci-fi basics

The sci-fi horror genre needs no introduction. Over the years, it has spawned several notable titles like Alien: Isolation, Prey, and Dead Space. Besides waving the flag of the genre, The Callisto Protocol also comes from Glen Schofield, the co-creator of the Dead Space series. With that distinction, the title should be primed for success. Or so one thinks.

As the name implies, the title takes players to the frozen climes of Jupiter’s moon, Callisto. Jacob Lee, played by Josh Duhamel, finds himself trapped inside Callisto’s Black Iron Prison. Coincidentally, both inmates and guards alike are getting infected by an unknown virus, turning them into mutating zombies. Like other survival horror games, the title features dark hallways and a limited array of resources to fight monsters.

A feast of viscera

Given its creator, The Callisto Protocol successfully recreates the dark and ominous atmosphere of its spiritual predecessor. The game is as creepy as its gory. Claustrophobic, unlit hallways open into veritable museums of the human anatomy in various states of disfigurement. Entrails splayed out, entire torsos chopped off, naked bodies dangling on alien cobwebs. Even if you’re already used to the gore of the horror genre, there’s something in Callisto that can still inspire awe and disgust.

The same goes for the game’s limited-but-adequately-spaced out enemy design. Though most of the monsters you’ll face in Callisto are humanoid, there are a few enemies that escape comprehension including a human body contorted into a spidery crawler and another squeezed into a snake-like form. The game can always use more enemy types; however, it adequately spaces out special monster types, ensuring that the limited number we see keep their scare factor.

Clunk

The Callisto Protocol deserves praise for its excellent environmental storytelling. However, a game needs more than just an environment. It also needs a complementarily scary gameplay system. Unfortunately, the title does little to deliver.

Though the game takes scarcity of resources to heart, The Callisto Protocol’s combat system is clunky. Instead of two dedicated buttons to dodge and block, the game asks players to use the left thumbstick, the same one you use for movement. Players have to accurately predict which side an enemy is attacking from and counter with the opposite direction on the thumbstick. Otherwise, players can block attacks by holding down on the stick. It’s certainly a chore to get used to, especially when most games these days use either the X or the O button to dodge.

Once you do get dodging down to a rhythm, the game doesn’t offer much variation for attacking. There are light and strong attacks, but it’s ultimately a spam of the right trigger then an occasional burst of gunfire. There are a variety of guns available, but a lot of the latter enemies are bullet sponges so it doesn’t matter much.

It also doesn’t help that the targeting system freaks out in scenarios with more than one monster. Most of the time, a strike just fails to land or mistakenly lands on an entirely different target, often leading to the player getting hit instead.

The game’s horror finds itself tied so much into the foreignness of its gameplay and the controls. As such, the fear factor quickly dissipates after mastering the system. A couple of hours into the game, the monsters stopped being scary. Whenever the game told me to sneak past enemies, I still got into fights intentionally just to quicken the pace. Fighting just became an inconvenience, rather than a death sentence.

A problem of pacing

In between fighting, players traipse through dark hallways and cramped vents. The game also offers divergent paths, adding a bit of choice as to where players explore first. In moderation, these elements can help build tension and reward players for exploring beyond the main path. The Callisto Protocol’s take, however, is problematic.

Though framed as a way to increase tension, the game also uses empty hallways and vents as cleverly disguised loading screens. Jacob crawls through at a snail’s pace so the game can load the next area. While other games use this moment to build lore or continue the dialogue, a lot of Callisto’s loading screens offer nothing but silence or the same, reused set pieces of monsters running offscreen to parts unknown. One segment even had a vent, an empty room, and another vent follow each other — basically, three loading zones in quick succession. It’s just a tax on time.

The divergent paths aren’t as effective either. There are several times when exploring a hidden room ends up with nothing, a battle, a middling reward, or just an audio recording. It’s hardly rewarding enough to explore unbeaten paths.

Is The Callisto Protocol your GameMatch?

For what it’s worth, The Callisto Protocol is still a masterclass in depicting virtual gore. Schofield knows how to make space terrifying. If you’re looking for a quick fix to tide over a hunger for horror, this title might be for you.

Unfortunately, the title’s lackluster gameplay keeps The Callisto Protocol from hanging with other masterpieces in the genre. However, if it’s any consolation, the title still has a post-launch roadmap to follow including story-focused DLC. The game might be more worth its price tag once the DLC comes out.

Features

LOQ and LOAD: The Lenovo LOQ 2024 is for gaming and more

Your entry to PC Gaming

Published

April 23, 2024

GadgetMatch

Get your game on with the Lenovo LOQ 2024. This capable laptop is your entry point to PC Gaming and a lot more.

It comes an absolutely affordable price point: PhP 48,995.

You get capable hardware and the hood to support gaming and more. The Lenovo LOQ 15IAX9I runs on the 12th Gen Intel Core i5 processor and Intel Arc Graphics.

Those are key to bringing unreal graphics to this segment. Supporting latest tech like DirectX 12 Ultimate, players are able to enjoy high frame rates on the Lenovo LOQ.

Creating content? It comes with AI Advantage to help boost performance. Engines and accelerators boost the media processing workloads especially for creatives. It also works with Intel’s X Super Machine Learning, Leading to images that are as close to reality.

The laptop supports a configuration of up to 32GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD Storage.

As for its display, the device has a large 15.6-inch, Full HD panel that is more than enough for gaming, video editing, content consumption, and whatever else you do on a laptop. This display has 144Hz refresh rate, 300 nits brightness, and anti-glare.

Videos come out clear, crisp, and realistic. Audio is punchy and as loud as it gets. Windows Sonic elevates it more when you use headphones. And it just takes a few minutes to render HD videos on editing software.

As it runs on Windows 11, if you are going to use it for work, you can take advantage of various features. The Lenovo Vantage Widget is there for constant reminders, Copilot will help you organize your tasks, and Microsoft Edge is there for casual browsing.

There is an assortment of ports at the back for easy connectivity. And as this is meant for gaming, we put it to the test. Racing that looks better with high frame rate? Check. Shooting titles that require heavy work? Not a problem. You can play all your favorites and not worry about performance.

Best of all, it takes less than an our to juice up this laptop all the way to 100%.

So, whether you’re looking to get started with PC Gaming, or an upgrade for work and entertainment needs, the Lenovo LOQ has you covered.

This feature is a collaboration between GadgetMatch and Lenovo Philippines.

Gaming

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes out now

Forge your destiny

Published

April 23, 2024

GadgetMatch

Rabbit and Bear Studios and 505 Games’ Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is now available across multiple platforms. One of the most anticipated JRPGs in recent memory may now be played on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox X|S, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. Moreover, it may be accessed on PC via Steam, the Epic Games store, and GOG.

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is crafted by game developers Junko Kawano (Suikoden I, IV) and the late Yoshitaka Murayama (Suikoden I, II). The title features a modern take on classic 2D side-scrolling games. It has a six-character battle system, meticulous 2D sprites and 3D backgrounds, and a riveting story. As the name suggests, you can play over 100 characters.

GadgetMatch had the privilege of playing the game’s early preview here: Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes First Impressions

The refreshed environment immediately stands out. There is more detail, depth, and movement compared to how side-scrolling games of the past used to be played. The game lets players choose their party mates. Meanwhile, the actual combat is turn-based, giving players room to strategize what sequences or gimmicks to select.

With more than 100 characters to choose from, the game also allows players to appropriately select heroes fit for certain regions and dungeons throughout the story. Moreover, some are designated catalysts that can give you access to more of the world’s treasures. In between, users may enjoy mini-games, like the fishing side quest in the preview. The collected fish can be part of another mini-game — cooking — as ingredients for recipes you can cook with.

Features

Why choose the MSI Claw?

Is it the gaming handheld for you?

Published

April 18, 2024

GadgetMatch

The MSI Claw is the latest gaming handheld from a major PC and laptop brand. The competition in this emerging gadget segment is tighter than ever. So, what is it about the MSI Claw that can scratch your gaming itch? Here’s a quick list.

Best grip in the game

One quick glance and it’s hard not to compare the claw with another popular gaming handheld. But a closer look and actually holding the thing will reveal that its grip easily feels better.

It has a slightly deeper groove that makes it easier to hold. So, MSI’s “Grip and Game” tagline isn’t all talk. Its design truly does provide one of the better feeling handles among its competition.

The overall design makes sure it’s made for extended gameplay sessions. The buttons are where you expect them to be. That includes the four mini buttons on the upper edges of the screen. These are the View, MSI Center M, Menu, and Quick Settings buttons.

In addition, the face buttons and d-pad all feel great. The face buttons, in particular, feel comparable to those of regular console controllers.

The rest of the buttons and triggers have a very satisfying tactile feel. It also uses Hall Effect technology to get rid of any stick drift issues.

Up top, you’ll find the power button, MicroSD Card slot, Thunderbolt 4 USB-C port, audio jack, and the volume buttons. These are intuitively placed and just makes sense given the overall design approach.

As cliché as it sounds, you’ll really think you got your money’s worth once you hold, touch, press, and grip the MSI Claw.

Dragon Vision

Now, MSI isn’t really calling it that but I thought it sounds pretty cool. A big part of the whole gaming experience is the display. Balancing resolution and frame rates is always tricky but the MSI Claw does it convincingly.

With this gaming handheld, you get a 7-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate. Looks great on paper and it’s even better in real life. It’s the sweet spot in terms of both size and performance. There’s enough here to immerse you all while delivering a satisfying level of crisp and smoothness.

It’s comfortable to view whether you’re on the couch, on a desk table, or lying down getting a quick game in before you get some shut-eye.

Battery Life

At 53Whr, the MSI Claw has a 36% larger battery capacity than its contemporaries and promises 50% more play time.

MSI claims “elevated performance with extended endurance” using the Claw with faster charging capabilities.

These percentages are hard to measure in real life usage. What we can say for certain is that you get the expected performance and playtime typical of a handheld. That’s a little under two hours for graphically demanding titles, and close to four hours on less demanding ones.

The charging claim is legitimate. The MSI Claw juices up faster than most other handhelds, going from 20% to 100% in about a little over a K-Drama episode (roughly a little over an hour).

MSI Center M

Any self-respecting gaming handheld has its own software to make navigating the thing more manageable. While its direct competitors have an armoury crate and a space, MSI went with Center M.

The best part about MSI Center M is it puts your installed games front and center. Right when it launches, you get immediate access to the titles you have available on your machine.

MSI Afterburner is already the most commonly used app for taking a look at how your machine is performing while you play. That functionality is built-in to the MSI Claw. You can access it view the Quick Settings buttons.

Layout and functionality-wise, the MSI Center M is certainly one of the better Gaming Handheld softwares available right now.

Competitive Performance

A defining trait of the MSI Claw is that It’s the first gaming handheld to be powered by Intel Core Ultra. With it comes Intel XeSS tech. What it does is leverage AI upscaling to boost the fps of select titles.

As of launch, 50 notable games are supported. That number will certainly grow throughout the device’s lifespan. Some of the titles include Hi-Fi Rush, Dying Light 2, Forza Horizon 5, Call of Duty Warzone 2.0, Returnal, and many, many more.

Naturally, results will vary depending on the game mode you’re using. But in general, AAA games get anywhere between 10% to 45% better frame rate performance with Intel XeSS.

For our part we played TEKKEN 8 and the recently launched Horizon Forbidden West. Both graphically demanding games played relatively well on the MSI Claw. Frame rate performance on TEKKEN 8 is crucial and we got a relatively consistent fps, never dropping below 40.

Horizon Forbidden West is a much more graphically demanding game. We were able to run it in Medium Settings and while it doesn’t look as incredible, it still played relatively well with a frame rate surprising for a gaming handheld.

Extras

MSI made sure that if you wanted to, you could get some extra stuff with the MSI Claw. Its separately sold accessory set includes the Claw Travel Case, Nest Docking Station, Claw Lanyard, and Claw Keychain.

On paper, the MSI Claw lists its ergonomic design, AI Engine, and App Player as distinct advantages over its competition.

Whether it’s the Gaming Handheld that matches your needs is still ultimately up to you. If you have the opportunity to test drive the device, we suggest you do so. That might just solidify your purchase decision.