Striking Distance has released updates planned for The Callisto Porotcol over the next six months.

Unfortunately, those expecting a new game+ or hardcore mode at launch will have to wait a little longer. They will appear on February 7, 2023 as part of a free update for all players. At the very least, NG+ was supposed to be the centerpiece of the launch day.

This is the end of the planned free updates, all the rest will require a season pass. These updates will run from February through summer 2023 and remain largely vague: the Outer Way skin collection will be available on February 7, along with NG+ and Hardcore mode, and the Contagion bundle will be available in March. This is an ultra-hardcore mode and should add permadeath in addition to the lack of ammo and strength. Jacob will also receive 13 more brutal death animations. No one should tell Fraser, the online editor, about this, as he has already seen too many gruesome death animations in "Callisto Protocol" (opens in new tab).

The Riot Bundle will be added in Spring 2023. This is a wave survival mode where players "step into an undiscovered area of Black Iron Prison"; it will add 12 new enemy death animations and yet another skin collection. A final update, due in the summer, will add a new storyline; the Steam page only says "delve deeper into the terrifying secrets of the Callisto Protocol," with no hint yet as to what is coming.

Additional modes should provide some replayability, if you're willing to pay extra. However, it is not clear how many will, at least on PC. At launch, most negative user reviews (open in new tab) lamented severe stuttering and frame drops; even before considering The Callisto Protocol's system requirements (open in new tab), which demand a lot from the hardware. Despite the performance issues, our Sean had a relatively good time. He gave it a 79 in his Callisto Protocol review (opens in new tab), stating that it "doesn't disturb the conventions of survival horror, but instead embraces every beat and cliché to tell a grim sci-fi tale with menace in the air."