Summary
Retrievalmay be shrouded in mystery now, but this only means that its potential is as great as the imagination can muster. The upcoming horror game might even have the chance to pick up the gauntlet dropped byThe Callisto Protocol, whoseconnection to the much-belovedDead Spacewasn’t enough to drag it out of mediocrity.
Fans of science-fiction and horror could be in for a treat withRetrieval, which seems to be taking major cues from the likes ofDead Space, if its early cinematic trailers are representative of its greater whole. The game is described as an atmospheric, high-fidelity horror action game set on an alien planet, which is seemingly overrun by monsters that look curiously similar to the Necromorphs ofDead Space. Indeed, anyone who followedThe CallistoProtocolahead of its launch may have some alarms ringing while viewingRetrieval’s promotional materials, as they are invoking a number of the same tropes as Visceral Games' once-legendary franchise.
A quick glimpse ofRetrieval’s elevator pitchreveals its similarity toDead Space; the game follows a small group of researchers stuck on an alien planet, where a terrifying force seems to be turning humans into bloodthirsty monsters. This alone is a clear connection toDead Space, but additional details ofRetrieval’s marketing suggest deeper parallels.
For one thing, the main character ofRetrieval, Hana Loshe, is described as a “commander of a research team,” not a soldier or other sort of trained combatant. The story trailer for the game shows Hana scared and out of her depth, which further supports the notion that taking on fatal, intelligent threats isn’t a common occurrence for her. This archetype is similar toDead Space’s Isaac Clarke, who is a man of thought and science rather than action or violence, thrust into a life-or-death situation against his will.
This unwilling, unprepared hero archetype can also be observed inThe Callisto Protocol, which stars a cargo ship pilot.
While no gameplay forRetrievalhas been revealed at the time of writing, the game’s trailers and website describe it as cinematic, with a focus on atmosphere, visuals, and immersive gameplay, as opposed to a more shallow or “gameplay-first” framework. This is yet another similarity betweenRetrievalandbothDead SpaceandThe Callisto Protocol, as those games put a premium on their tone, aesthetic, and cinematic storytelling, eschewing more avant-garde or experimental methods of presentation, exemplified by indie horror games likeSignalis.
How Retrieval Can Succeed Where The Callisto Protocol Failed
The Callisto Protocolwas obviously inspired by the firstDead Space, with the two even being spearheaded by the same man, but the greatest difference between the two is undoubtedly their critical reception.The Callisto Protocolis broadly considered a flop, underwhelming both players and critics due to its shallow gameplay and dearth of content. Crucially, the game’s failure can’t beboiled down to it being too much likeDead Space. If anything,it’s not enough likeDead Space.
Retrievalshouldn’t be aDead Spaceclone, but adapting what made the series so successful could work in its favor. Strong, deep combat with creative, futuristic weapons, for example, would go a long way toward makingRetrievala worthy spiritual successor toDead Space, as would complex, original lore. Narrative is another critical point to focus on:Hana Loshe may never be as iconic as Isaac Clarke, but her inherent vulnerability could be paired with an intriguing backstory and character arc, cementing the game’s story in the minds of players. Put simply,Dead Spacehas a lot of lessons to teach sci-fi horror games, andRetrievalshould perk up its ears and listen.
