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.
Rebel Wolves and Bandai Namco Entertainment have revealed a fresh wave of details for The Blood of Dawnwalker, confirming its release on September 3, 2026.
The upcoming dark fantasy open-world action RPG is headed to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam, with pre-orders now live across digital storefronts and retail. The announcement came alongside the game’s “Road to Launch” event, which packed in new gameplay footage, story reveals, and system requirements.
Story, gameplay, and a deeper look at Vale Sangora
A new story trailer introduces key characters surrounding protagonist Coen, a Dawnwalker caught between humanity and vampirism. Set in the fictional Vale Sangora in the Carpathian Mountains, the game leans heavily into choice-driven storytelling, where allies, enemies, and outcomes shift depending on player decisions.
Rebel Wolves also showcased over 10 minutes of gameplay captured from a recent PC build. The footage highlights narrative-driven exploration, where uncovering secrets and completing activities can unlock abilities or alter how events unfold. The core idea is simple: every action carries consequences, shaping both the story and the state of the world.
Developers including Piotr Kucharski, Daria Bury-Zawada, Maciej Wiśniewski, and Dorota Rutkowska also broke down key systems and design philosophies in a new dev diary.
Motion capture, editions, and system requirements revealed
A behind-the-scenes segment featured former UFC champion Jan Błachowicz, who contributed motion capture work for Bakir, one of the game’s antagonists. His involvement adds a layer of realism to combat, with a focus on weight and impact in every strike.
Rebel Wolves also detailed multiple editions of the game. Alongside the standard digital version and retail Day One Edition, players can opt for the Eclipse Edition, which includes bonuses like a world compendium, soundtrack, and comic book. A Collector’s Edition will also be available in limited quantities.
Official PC system requirements were likewise shared during the event, giving players a clearer idea of what hardware they’ll need to run the game.
A dark fantasy journey shaped by choice
Set in 14th-century Europe during a time of war and plague, The Blood of Dawnwalker follows Coen’s struggle against Brencis, a powerful vampire lord ruling over Vale Sangora. As a Dawnwalker, Coen walks a fine line between two worlds, gaining unique abilities while dealing with the cost that comes with them.
Built on Unreal Engine 5, the game emphasizes player agency, blending open-world exploration with branching narrative paths. Whether forming alliances or facing off against enemies, every decision feeds back into how the story unfolds.
The Blood of Dawnwalker launches September 3 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is making its way to more players, and you can jump in right now.
Square Enix has released a free playable demo for the acclaimed RPG on Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox on PC. Better yet, your progress carries over to the full game when it launches on June 3, 2026.
The demo includes Chapters 1 and 2, giving players a substantial slice of the experience right from the start.
A look at the opening chapters
Chapter 1 revisits one of the most pivotal moments in the story — the Nibelheim incident. You take control of a younger Cloud alongside Sephiroth as they investigate a mysterious outbreak of monsters. It’s a story beat longtime fans will recognize, but still hits hard with its modern presentation.
Chapter 2 opens things up. Cloud and the crew step into the Grasslands, where the game starts to flex its scale. Expect a mix of combat encounters, exploration, side activities, and even the in-game card battler Queen’s Blood.
Combat blends real-time action with command-based strategy, now enhanced with Synergy Abilities. The demo also introduces “Streamlined Progression” options like unlimited HP/MP and faster ability unlocks, letting players focus more on the story if they choose.
Pre-orders and physical bonuses
Pre-orders are now open across platforms, with a 20% discount available until June 10, 2026.
Digital editions come with in-game bonuses like Summoning Materia, armor sets, and accessories. Meanwhile, early buyers of the Nintendo Switch 2 physical edition get a little extra — a collectible Magic: The Gathering–Final Fantasy Zack Fair card featuring variant art by Tetsuya Nomura, available while supplies last.
Preparing for the final chapter
Set beyond Midgar, Rebirth follows Cloud and his allies — including Tifa, Barret, Aerith, and Red XIII — as they pursue Sephiroth across a wider world. New companions like Yuffie and Cait Sith join the journey, adding more personality and dynamics to the party.
Already released on PlayStation 5 and PC, the game has racked up over 125 perfect review scores and more than 40 Game of the Year awards. With its arrival on Switch 2 and Xbox, the remake trilogy is now nearly fully playable across modern platforms.
That puts more players in position for what’s next: the third and final installment, which is currently in development.
Gaming
Level Infinite launches Gangstar Mirage City exclusively in PH
A blend of high-speed street racing, exploration, more
Level Infinite has launched a brand new mobile title exclusively available in the Philippines: Gangstar Mirage City.
Players can enjoy a blend of freedom, action, and dynamic gameplay in the free-to-play multiplayer open-world mobile game.
It is set in a near-future metropolis of Rooklyn, where thrilling action, player choice, and unpredictable moments collide.
Mirage City is the latest chapter in Gameloft’s renowned Gangstar franchise, with more than 250 million registered users.
It brings an expansive open-world gameplay to mobile, powered by high-fidelity graphics and detailed environments tailored for mobile play.
At its core, Mirage City is about freedom. As such, players can alternate between story-driven content and free-form exploration. They can navigate the city, build an empire, and define a personal journey.
There’s high-speed street racing, explosive encounters, and dynamic city events. Moreover, there is deep customization across vehicles, properties, and lifestyle, plus a wide range of activities in-game.
Being a Philippines-exclusive, title, the open-world RPG supports Tagalog text as well to bring the experience closer to its audience.
For now, the game is available for download via Google Play for Android devices.
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