A new update is live for The Callisto Protocol, adding a new Hardcore difficulty mode, new trophies and achievements, and a number of smaller fixes and tweaks to the game.
This free update for The Callisto Protocol, version 3.02 released on February 7th, adds a new top-tier difficulty mode, with more set to come in future updates and DLC. Hardcore mode tips the difficulty balance further, increasing enemy damage while decreasing that of your own Stun Baton, and reducing the ammo, health and credits available to you. It also increases the speed of enemy mutation, which will really push you in multi-enemy encounters.
There’s new trophies and achievements to hunt through this new difficulty mode, as well as a specific Hardcore Mode New Game+, which requires completion of a standard Hardcore Mode playthrough.
Though it might have now been thoroughly overshadowed by the Dead Space remake and missed sales targets, Striking Distance Studios is following through with the plan for updating and expanding on their new action horror game franchise. Those looking for a permadeath difficulty will have to wait for the Contagion DLC, which will add a new area of the prison to explore alongside this further tweak to the game’s challenge.
Here’s the v3.02 The Callisto Protocol patch notes:
Hardcore Mode
A challenging take on The Callisto Protocol’s survival-horror experience, intended to push you to your limits, Hardcore mode is not for the faint of heart. Here’s what you can expect;
- Ammo, health and credits are harder to come by and not every Biophage will drop loot.
- Increased enemy damage
- Decreased Stun Baton damage
- Increased enemy mutation speed
- Contraband value is reduced
- Hardcore Mode New Game+ (requires completion of standard Hardcore Mode playthrough)
- New Achievements / Trophies to hunt
Global
- Players that were not correctly granted the “The Protocol is About Life” achievement upon completing the game will be automatically granted the achievement
- Localization fixes for leveling and VO/subtitle mismatches
- Optimized enemy combat AI when player is surrounded by multiple enemies
Steam Deck
- Updated font rendering and UI elements for readability
- Created a rendering functionality profile specifically for Steam Deck with the best settings for smooth gameplay
- Updated control schemes for SteamDeck controls
PC Specific
- Ray tracing performance improvements
Source: Reddit
