The first official title released by Striking Distance Studios,The Callisto Protocolhit shelves and online stores early in December. Developed byDead Spacecreator Glen Schofield, his latest title further explores the terrifying nature of being trapped in a remote corner of the solar system while horrifying monsters hunt the player at every turn. While this latest game takesa more melee-focused approach to combat,theDead Spaceinfluence is still present and noticeable throughout its campaign.
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One way that influence shows itself is through the many hidden secrets and Easter eggs that are hidden throughout Black Iron Prison, whereThe Callisto Protocolis primarily set and where its hero, Jacob Lee, is trying to escape from. There are hidden rooms with bits of lore, nods to the previous voice work done by the game’s lead actors, as well as references to some other classic sci-fi horror films. Here are all the hidden secrets lurking inthe darkest corners of Callisto’s prison colony.
8Bloody Graffiti
Right off the bat, there isa fairly obviousDead SpaceEaster eggin the early goings of the game. This bloody graffiti also made an appearance in a trailer forThe Callisto Protocol, but for those who didn’t catch it; yes, it’s a reference to the firstDead Space.
InThe Callisto Protocol, the graffiti reads “Shoot the tentacles,” but it refers to a similar bit of bloody graffiti that appears at the beginning ofDead Spacewhich reads “shoot their limbs.” In both cases, the graffiti doubles as a bit of advice for players to follow when facing off against the game’s horrifying enemies.
7The PUBG Connection
When it was first announced,The Callisto Protocolwas intended to be set in the same universe as the groundbreaking battle royale shooterPlayer Unknown’s: Battlegrounds.About half a year before its release, those plans fell through, andthe two games separated their universesas Striking Distance felt they had a potential franchise on their hands.
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However, that didn’t stop them from including a nod to their original universe buddies in their game. About a third of the way in, players will come across a crafting bench that has the iconicPUBGhelmet resting on it. The helmet is in rough shape, which is understandable given it’s been sitting around for around 300 years by the timeThe Callisto Protocoltakes place, but there’s no mistaking it.
6Clarke City
AnotherDead SpaceEaster egg, although this one is both harder to spot and much less direct. Only the most eagle-eyed players will spot this little detail without walking right past it. Heck, it’s possible to look right at this Easter egg and not see it.
5Supply B426
This is one of two secret rooms hidden throughout Black Iron Prison. The first room is found in Chapter 3: Aftermath. When players enter a room called Workshop B415 they’ll notice a door inside labeled Supply B426. However, the door to that room will be locked.
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There is a way inside Supply B426, but it takes a bit more exploring to get there. Next to the Supply B426 door is a trail of blood leading to a vent. If players follow that trail through the vent and down a corridor, they can drop to a path that leads to the back entrance to Supply B426. Inside are some supplies and an audio log with some story details.
4Below The Power Reactor
The game’s other secret room is found later on, in Chapter 6: Below, as players make their way to the prison’s power reactor. Before entering the control room, players will notice an opening in a nearby destroyed wallmarked by a Kallipolis symbol.
Players can head through that opening and drop down until they enter ahallway covered in some gross mutations.Be cautious here; there are a group of blind enemies just waiting for the player to make a sound. At the end of that corridor, players will find the entrance to the second secret room. Don’t rush in; there is a hidden alien nest underneath the room’s central table. Shoot that, and players can collect more resources and another audio log, and will unlock The Commonality achievement.
3Predator In The Jungle
About midway through Chapter 4: Habitat, Jacob will find himself in a jungle-like area that makes up the titular habitat. Almost as soon as they enter, players will hear enemies growling and roaring in the trees. It’s pretty terrifying since these enemies can’t be seen until they jump out of the foliage.
However, a little way through the area, players who are paying attention will pick up on a different sound emanating from the jungle. It’s similar to the sounds the monsters make but not identical. What it actually sounds like isthe growl of a Yautja,the alien species that make up the hunters in thePredatorfranchise. The idea that a Predator is lurking somewhere in Black Iron Prison is almost more terrifying than any of the monsters that Jacob actually encounters.
2Five By Five
This is another reference to a classic sci-fi horror monster, but in this case, we’re talking about Xenomorphs. Or at least, we’re talking about the movies they appear in, specifically about 1986’sAliens.
The Callisto Protocol has an achievement for reaching the Hangar deck titled “In the Pipe, Five by Five,” which just so happens to be a direct quote from Ferro, a dropship pilot inAlienswho says this exact line as she begins her descent to LV-426, the planet on which the film takes place. A good rule of thumb: if something is sci-fi,it probably contains anAlienreference.The series is just that iconic.
1Darth Maul
One of the lead actors inThe Callisto Protocol isSam Witwer, who has his fair share of sci-fi acting credits. There is the cult classicDays Gone, but Witwer has also made appearances in severalStar Warsentries. He played Starkiller inThe Force Awakensgames, but he also voiced Darth Maul onThe Clone WarsTV series.
Witwer’s character inThe Callisto Protocol, Leon Ferris, has a connection to hisClone Warscharacter. According to his biodata log, Ferris was born in the city of Rimohtad, Iowa. That city doesn’t actually exist, but it just so happens to be the reverse spelling of Dathomir, which is the birthplace of Darth Maul. It’s a cool nod to Witwer’s past sci-fi work as he continueshis expansive acting careeracross films, TV, animation, and video games.
The Callisto Protocolwas released on December 2nd, 2022, and is available on PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and PC.
