The Callisto Protocol launched this past Friday and it saddens me to say that it’s a huge disappointment. Even without the legacy of Dead Space to live up to, it’s not all that great. The sci-fi environments are spectacular, and the character models might be realistic, but there’s no substance behind them. The combat is weighty and responsive, though it requires more depth to take advantage of its heavy focus on melee. The best part of the game, by far, is its use of the PS5’s DualSense controller.

Features Editor Andrew King noted this in his review, but it bears repeating and exploring in more depth. The controller acts as a physical link to the digital world of video games. It’s the tool that grounds us within them. Press a button here, an action occurs there. With one in our hands, we’re cyborgs, digital adventurers, and while Xbox has generally held the title of most comfortable controller, Nintendo and PlayStation have been using them to blur the lines between the real world and virtual ones more with each new console generation.

RELATED: The Callisto Protocol Somehow Has A More Boring Protagonist Than Ethan Winters

Since the DualShock 4, PlayStation games have utilised built-in lights and speakers to bring video games out of our TVs and directly into our hands. When the cops chase you in GTA 5, the rear flashes red and blue, if you pick up an audio log or get a telephone call, it comes through the controller’s speaker, and vibrations provide a sensuous feeling of the action and movement playing out on the screen. These features immerse you into the world of a game without you realising what’s going on. They bypass your critical thinking and go straight for the senses.

The Callisto Protocol Screenshot Of Jacob In Ice With Baton

The Callisto Protocol is a best-in-class example of a PS5 game that uses the DualSense beyond the haptic feedback in the rear triggers or the motion controls. The subtle vibrations are constantly helping me to feel what Jacob Lee does. As he climbs a ladder, each step and handhold sends a pulse through the controller as though you’re traversing Black Iron yourself. When elevators are called, you feel the rumble work its way up or down your hands before you hear or see it.

The machinery is where this feature truly shines though. Whirring fans and rapidly spinning grinders are abundant in Black Iron - apparently OSHA doesn't visit too often. When you approach one of these death traps, you can feel the thunk, thunk, hunk ripple through the controller. Combined with the excellent sound design, I could close my eyes and actually be on that moon. Fortunately, my house doesn’t smell as bad as I reckon Black Iron Prison does though, even with all the guinea pigs.

The Callisto Protocol Proves That Crunch Isn’t Worth It zombie

I do wish the game would go further - some haptic feedback when an enemy blocks an attack would be wonderful - but the precision of the rumble feature is masterful and the highlight of Callisto. The DualSense bridges the gap between worlds brilliantly, it’s just a shame this isn’t a world worth diving into.

Next: Cyberpunk 2077 Modder Creates A Whole New Romance And Storyline