Getting Started

Getting Started Guide for The Callisto Protocol

Welcome to Black Iron Prison

You are Jacob Lee, a cargo pilot transporting a mysterious outbreak. The introduction sequence will put you in the pilot seat, then a crash, and finally waking up in a cell. This guide covers your first hour, critical early decisions, and how to survive the horrors ahead.

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Character Creation

There is no character creation. You play as Jacob Lee — a fully voiced, pre-defined protagonist. Your choices affect story outcomes (especially in the final chapter), but you cannot customize Jacob’s appearance, gender, or backstory.

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First Hour Walkthrough (Spoiler-Free)

1. Prologue (5 mins): Control Jacob during the cargo ship flight. Follow prompts to check cargo and interact with AI companion. A crash sequence will start automatically — don’t fight it, just watch the cutscene.
2. Wake Up in Cell (10 mins): After the crash, you regain consciousness in a prison cell. Pick up the GRP (Grip) glove from the table. This is your first key tool for environment interaction and combat.
3. First Enemy Encounter (15 mins): You’ll encounter a biophage (mutant) in a hallway. Use the GRP to grab objects and throw them at the creature — this is your primary weapon until you get a baton. Do not try to melee without a weapon.
4. Get the Stun Baton (20 mins): Shortly after the first fight, you’ll find a stun baton on a corpse. Equip it (D-pad up on controllers, number keys on keyboard). This is your main melee weapon for a while.
5. Avoid the Blind Mutant (25 mins): A huge, blind, armoured creature will patrol a dining hall. Do not attack it. Crouch (L3 on controller, Ctrl on keyboard) and move slowly behind shelves to reach the exit. Make noise? It will one-shot you.
6. First Save Station (30 mins): You’ll reach a room with a Reforge station (save/upgrade point). Always use this when you see it.
7. Meet Elias (35 mins): A fellow survivor gives you a talking watch (holographic map). Learn to toggle the map (Hold select/back/ESC) — it highlights objectives.
8. First Real Combat Tutorial (40-45 mins): A room with a giant fan and multiple biophages. Use the GRP to pull them into the fan blades for instant kills. Saves ammo.
9. Pipe Weapon (50 mins): You can craft a makeshift shotgun (the "pipe weapon") at a workbench. Do this as soon as you have 3x Large Scrap and 1x Pipe (found in early lockers). It will help immensely.
10. End of First Hour: You should be past the fan room, have the pipe weapon, and be approaching the “Habitation Decks” area. Expect a boss encounter shortly after — use your baton and GRP combo.

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Controls (All Platforms)

#### PlayStation 5 / PlayStation 4

#### Xbox Series X|S / Xbox One

#### PC (Mouse & Keyboard)

Tip for all platforms: Dodge timing is crucial. Tap the dodge button (L1/LB/Left Ctrl) just before an enemy hits you — you’ll automatically backstep. You can dodge up to three times in quick succession before a short cooldown.

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UI Overview

1. Health Bar: Top-left corner. Red when damaged. Use health injectors to restore.
2. Ammo Count: Bottom-right. Shows current magazine and reserve ammo for equipped weapon.
3. GRP Energy: Bottom-center, below health. A glowing white circle — depletes when you use Grip to throw objects or enemies. Recharges over time.
4. Crosshair: Center of screen. Turns red when aiming at an enemy. White for objects.
5. Enemy Health Indicators: Occasionally appear above enemies as small red bars (especially bosses).
6. Objective Marker: A yellow diamond icon floating in the world — follow it for main story.
7. Map (Hold): Overhead view with objective waypoint, locked doors, and points of interest. Use it often.
8. Audio Cues: Use headphones. Enemy growls, breathing, and audio logs are critical for survival.

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Essential Early Objectives

• Find the GRP glove (first room after prologue)


• Pick up the stun baton (shortly after first enemy)


• Reach the first Reforge station (save and upgrade)


• Craft the pipe weapon (requires Pipe + 3 Large Scrap)


• Meet Elias (get the map watch)


• Disable the fan safety lock (to use fan as weapon)


• Escape the dining hall without alerting the blind mutant


• Unlock doors with GRP (pull on red handles)


• Find audio logs and data pads for lore and experience (used to unlock upgrades)


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What To Do First / What To Avoid



#### ✅ DO:

• Use the environment as a weapon: GRP enemies into spikes, fans, open reactors — saves bullets.


• Dodge, dodge, dodge: Enemies telegraph attacks. Tap dodge (L1/LB/Left Ctrl) sideways when they lunge.


• Check every corner: Scrap, health injectors, and ammo are scarce but often hidden in lockers, under desks, or behind breakable containers.


• Upgrade GRP capacity first: It helps in combat and puzzles.


• Save at every Reforge station: The game auto-saves only at checkpoints — manual saves prevent long backtracking.


• Listen to audio logs: They provide background and occasionally hint at secret paths.


#### ❌ AVOID:

• Do not rush into groups of enemies: Even two biophages can kill you in seconds. Use GRP to separate them.


• Do not waste large scrap on the stun baton: Save for the pipe weapon and later upgrades.


• Do not attack the blind mutant in the dining hall: You cannot kill it. Stealth is mandatory. Crouch and move slowly.


• Do not ignore quick heals: D-pad Left (or Q on PC) uses a health injector instantly. Health packs take longer but are more efficient.


• Do not forget to reload: Ammo is scarce; you cannot afford to get caught empty.


• Do not stay in the open when a swarm is near: Find narrow corridors where enemies must funnel.

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Early Resource Priorities

Tip: Break wooden crates and yellow barrels with melee to find scrap and ammo. Use GRP to pull metal doors off hinges — they often hide resources.

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Common Beginner Mistakes

1. Trying to melee without timing dodges: The stun baton combos are powerful only if you dodge and counter. Spamming attack will get you killed.
2. Ignoring the GRP: It’s not just for puzzles — throwing heavy objects at enemies stuns them, and throwing them into hazards kills instantly.
3. Wasting ammo on weak enemies: Use the baton for basic biophages; save bullets for harder ones.
4. Not reading logs: Story progression often depends on finding keycards or codes hidden in emails/audio logs.
5. Rushing through rooms: Hostiles are often placed where you can’t see them — move slowly and listen.
6. Forgetting to upgrade at Reforge stations: You can upgrade weapon damage, melee speed, and GRP range. Check every station.
7. Using quick heal in front of enemies: The animation leaves you vulnerable. Only heal when behind cover or after dodging.

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Day-One Checklist

• [ ] Complete prologue and reach the prison cell.


• [ ] Equip the GRP glove immediately.


• [ ] Pick up the stun baton.


• [ ] Craft the pipe weapon before the first major combat area.


• [ ] Save at the first Reforge station (and every subsequent one).


• [ ] Learn to dodge (practice with the first enemy in the hallway).


• [ ] Check all lockers and breakable objects in the first three rooms.


• [ ] Read the audio log about “The Outbreak” and “Prisoner 234”.


• [ ] Use the map to locate the yellow objective.


• [ ] Avoid the blind mutant in the dining hall — crouch and sneak.


• [ ] Upgrade GRP capacity at the first Reforge station (if you have enough scrap).


• [ ] Familiarize with the inventory system — D-pad down or Tab to see items.


• [ ] Set brightness/gamma as recommended (ensure dark areas are visible but not washed out).


• [ ] Adjust audio: enable 3D audio if supported, increase dialogue volume.


• [ ] Play with a controller for best dodge experience (PC players note that keyboard dodging feels less fluid).


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Final Pro Tips for Newcomers




• Crowd control: Use GRP to throw one enemy into another to knock both down.


• The pipe weapon has a unique alt-fire: Keep aiming (LT/L2/RMB) while holding the button to charge for a more powerful shot (uses 2 ammo).


• Revisit earlier areas after getting new abilities: Some locked doors can be opened later with higher GRP levels.


• If you die often, lower the difficulty — the game’s combat is unforgiving even on normal. You can change it in options without losing progress.


• Turn on “Auto-Quick Heal” if you panic — found in options > gameplay. It will automatically use a health injector when health is critical (but wastes resources).

Welcome to Black Iron Prison, Jacob. Make it out alive.

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For more detailed combat, exploration, and boss strategies, see our other guides.