The Callisto Protocol is a bloody, survival horror game that follows Jacob Lee, a prisoner of the Black Iron Prison located on one of Jupiter's moons. As if that wasn't a bleak enough setting, Jacob's fellow inmates have started to mysteriously transform into hostile creatures, leaving him to figure out what's happening and escape before it starts happening to him.
There's an intriguing narrative pushing The Callisto Protocol forward, but it's the brutal combat that's earned it legions of fans. As you try to escape Black Iron Prison, you'll unlock an assortment of weapons and other gear that'll help you tear through all the monstrosities that get in your way. Featuring a combination of melee, ranged, and gravity weapons, there's no shortage of ways to eviscerate everything that stands between you and freedom.
Dismemberment and gore are big parts of combat, and the oppressive atmosphere of Callisto only adds to the game's chilling ambiance. Whether you're exploring tight, crumbling corridors, or stepping foot into vast caverns, you'll rarely feel safe as you trek through Black Iron. The Callisto Protocol isn't for the faint of heart, but anyone seeking a thrilling survival horror game will find hours of nightmarish fun with its ultra-violent action.
Once you've wrapped up The Callisto Protocol's 13-hour campaign, there are plenty of other horror games to check out next. This includes everything from such bombastic AAA blockbusters as Resident Evil Village to horrifying indie adventures including The Forest.
Here are 10 games like The Callisto Protocol to play next, listed by Metascore.
Metascore: 84
Best for: Fans action-based horror games
Where to buy:
The Resident Evil series is known for producing high-quality scares, and the latest entry carries on that legacy. You'll once again play as Ethan Winter, who has finally established a quiet life for himself — until an unexpected visit from a familiar face thrusts him back into a haunting adventure. Resident Evil Village offers a bit more action that its predecessors, although you'll still be treated to legions of horrifying monsters, a cast of memorable characters, and a need to carefully manage your resources. And even when you're not face-to-face with a deadly beast, the foreboding atmosphere keeps the tension high and never gives you a moment to relax.
"In more ways than one, Resident Evil Village is a huge tribute to 25 years of tradition, and an important stepping stone to its future." — LevelUp
Metascore: 83
Best for: Fans of open-world survival horror
Where to buy: Steam
Also available on: PS4
After your plane crashes in the middle of a forest, you'll need to battle more than the elements as you fight for survival. The Forest takes place in a chilling land overrun with cannibals, and staying alive requires you to scavenge resources, craft new gear, and put together a shelter that can stave off unwanted visitors. Action plays out from a first-person perspective, and you are largely left to your own devices. Whether you want to sneak around enemies, confront them with deadly weapons you've crafted, or anything in between, The Forest gives you a haunting sandbox and free rein to play as you see fit.
"A triumph, both for the survival genre as well as gruesome horror. It gives players just the right amount of freedom to enjoy the challenge of this hellish nightmare." — Game Informer
Metascore: 80
Best for: Fans of found footage films
Where to buy: Steam
Also available on: PS4, XB1
Outlast might be the most disturbing game on this list. It puts you into the shoes of Miles Upshur, an investigative journalist that sets out to document the Mount Massive Asylum — which has been reopened by a mysterious corporation and is rumored to be carrying out gruesome experiments. As Upshur, you'll sneak into the asylum with your trusty camcorder to document what's really going on with the facility. Thankfully, the game only lasts a few hours, as its oppressive atmosphere, lack of combat mechanics, and nightmarish enemies make it difficult for anyone but the most hardened gamer to play Outlast for more than a few minutes at a time. But if you're looking for a truly horrifying adventure, Outlast is an easy recommendation.
"It's stressful and terrifying in a way that most recent horror games can't match. ... I say play it in a brightly lit room surrounded by pictures of kittens. The heart can only take so much." — GamesBeat
Metascore: 79
Best for: Fans of memorable narratives
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Alan Wake is a third-person horror game that's driven forward by a compelling narrative. You play as the eponymous Alan Wake, an author that's searching for his missing wife in the town of Bright Falls. But as he moves deeper into the search, he begins finding pages of a horror story that he's supposedly written, although he has no recollection of ever doing so. What follows is a psychological thriller that throws several twists your way before hitting the final credits. This remastered version offers everything from the original Alan Wake while adding enhanced graphics and two expansions (The Signal and The Writer).
"Whether you're a new fan of Remedy's work, or a long-time player, there's never been a better excuse to visit or return to Bright Falls." — Press Start Australia
Metascore: 79
Best for: Fans of the iconic Alien movies
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Alien: Isolation takes place nearly two decades after the original Alien film and follows Ellen Ripley's daughter — who is on a quest to discover what really happened to her mother. The game sees you scraping together resources as you forge new gear and gadgets to help fend off monsters that seem to be hiding around every corner. Fans of the franchise will find plenty of connections between Isolation and the films, although even newcomers will appreciate its tense gameplay and intriguing story. It's starting to show its age (having launched in 2014), but the game remains one of the most compelling horror titles on the market.
"Isolation does an amazing job of capturing the essence of a classic film and recasting it as a video game." — USgamer
Metascore: 79
Best for: Fans of immersive sims
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As an immersive sim, Prey lets you interact with its world on your own terms. The first-person shooter takes place on a space station that's been overrun by a mysterious (and hostile) alien organism. It'll be up to you to fend off the threat and try to make it home in one piece. How you accomplish this task is largely left up to you. Whether you want to harness alien powers, craft useful new gadgets, or simply sneak around enemy encounters, Prey gives you a wide degree of freedom, making it a game that's worth playing again after the credits roll.
"Prey combines the sheer inventive spirit of the Bioshock and System Shock saga with the ruthlessly difficult pace of a hardcore shooter." — GameOver.gr
Metascore: 78
Best for: Fans of gory survival horror
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The Callisto Protocol draws a lot of inspiration from the Dead Space series, so it should come as no surprise that Dead Space 3 is an excellent alternative. You'll play as Isaac Clarke as you set out to find (and destroy) the source of a Necromorph outbreak. These hostile enemies pose a serious threat to Isaac, although his arsenal of makeshift weapons allow you to sheer through them in a variety of ultra-violent ways. There's also an impressive upgrade system that lets you modify your weapons to augment your playstyle. Dead Space 3 is fine to plan on its own, but you can also check out the first two games (Dead Space and Dead Space 2) if you need more sci-fi horror.
"Dead Space 3 capitalizes on everything that made its predecessors great, and expertly executes everything new." — Gaming Nexus
Metascore: 76
Best for: Fans of haunting atmospheres
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The Evil Within 2 is a haunting survival horror game that follows detective Sebastian Castellanos as he tries to save his daughter. There's an intriguing story at the heart of the adventure, but it's the unsettling atmosphere and tense third-person gunplay that make The Evil Within 2 a great choice for fans of The Callisto Protocol. You'll have plenty of ways to navigate all the obstacles in your path (such as crafting traps, upgrading your gear, or hiding from overpowered enemies), and regardless of which option you choose, you'll be in for a chaotic experience that never lets off the gas.
"The wonderful story, the blood-freezing atmosphere, the big variety of horrific monsters and the great progress systems make The Evil Within 2 one of the best survival-horror games." — Vgames
Metascore: 70
Best for: Fans of nightmare-inducing adventure games
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Scorn isn't just one of the newest games on this list, it's also one of the most innovative. Instead of giving you map with an objective on it, you're left to explore its grotesque world with little handholding. Scorn also makes heavy use of puzzles and self-discovery to drive home its narrative. And instead of jump scares, the game simply makes every environment as macabre and gory as possible. Scorn doesn't shy away from puzzles, and solving these cryptic riddles is just as important as combat. It's certainly not your typical horror game, but if you don't mind venturing off the beaten path, you'll find plenty to love about this surreal experience.
"A feast for the eyes, a buffet for the mind but not for those of a weak stomach. It satisfies the morbid and the curious with its odd forms and somber tapestries." — WellPlayed
Metascore: 64
Best for: Fans of asymmetrical multiplayer games
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Dead by Daylight is an asymmetrical multiplayer game that has a group of survivors trying to escape from the clutches of a singular killer. The survivors will need to sneak around the map and find a way to open the exit, while the killer will employ a variety of useful abilities to track down and eliminate their prey. The popular title has seen a number of collaborations over the years, and if you jump in today, you'll be able to play as Michael Myers, Freddy Krueger, and other horror icons.
"[Dead by Daylight] delivers a thrilling experience as both survivor and murderer. Playing with friends is mandatory, as it greatly enhances the overall experience." — XGN