Directive 8020 has been in the works for a while, with a three-year gap between the new arrival and the developer’s previous game, Switchback VR. The wait is almost over, though, as players will get to experience the next chapter of The Dark Pictures Anthology on May 12.
Marking the first time a Dark Pictures story has been set in space, this is an exciting new chapter for Supermassive Games. Space exploration has been one of my favorite themes in horror gaming recently, especially when I look at titles like the brilliant Mouthwashing and Iron Lung, the latter of which got a record-breaking movie adaptation by YouTube star Markiplier.
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If I could turn back time…
Directive 8020 introduces a new feature that might provide some reassurance if you’re the kind of person who gets emotionally attached to video game characters. Turning Points is a new and valuable addition to the game where you can rewind your decision, similar to Life is Strange.
I asked Executive Producer Dan McDonald about the decision to include Turning Points, and he said: “We know a lot of our players, the first time they play through, they want to keep everyone alive. And it can be really disheartening when you mess up, and your favourite character has died.
“Whilst we want you to experience that loss, in fact, one of my favourite things is making players cry as well as jump, we also want you to play a game that you want to experience. And so if you want to be able to turn it back and undo it, we want to enable that and let you experience the game the way you want.”
This may soothe your worries, but if you find Turning Points to be frustrating, you can continue on with your decision, no matter how painful it may be. Including this ability keeps everyone happy, giving you a second chance, but only if you want it.
When I played Directive 8020, I got to experience one of the most stressful chapters of the game, which involves venturing inside vents to track down a threat. Closed spaces and jump scares galore follow, and you’ll have to hold your nerve if you want to get out of there alive.
You can’t just shoot your way out of this, but you do have plenty of tools at your disposal. Think Alien: Isolation or Amnesia: The Dark Descent in terms of how you’re tasked with dealing with the threat. The game rewards stealth, patience, and, honestly, creativity too. If you don’t have a gun, how are you going to keep yourself safe? That’s up to you to figure out.
Characters have a multifunctional utility strap, which features a shoulder-mounted flashlight, a scanner that can scan for electronics or be used to spot an alien, a “wedge tool” that can be used to open a door as a last resort or to stun an enemy, a text messenger, and a remote control that lets the player hack computers from a distance. You have everything but a gun, because that would be too easy.
Communication issues
Since you’re on board a spaceship, it may not surprise you to know there’s a comms system where you can discuss things with other characters. Throughout the game, you can send text-based messages to others, which include choices that will impact the game, so choose your words carefully.
To keep things interesting, though, the alien threat is able to mimic humans, so there’s no guarantee you’re talking to who you think you are. Be careful when and where you divulge information, as it could come back to bite you later.
As someone who loves reading in video games, I enjoyed having a nosy at everyone’s conversations to see what the dynamics were like so far. There’s a really well fleshed out cast here, with tropes like father-daughter bonds that if you’re not careful, you could ruin for good.
Choices are everywhere in this game, as are the consequences of those actions. You find yourself suspicious at every turn, and I haven’t felt this stressed in quite some time. That’s a huge compliment, by the way.
Directive 8020 has everything you know and love about the Supermassive Games name, with some fun new additions too. Whether you play it alone or with a friend, there’s lots to enjoy here. It was worth the wait, and I can’t wait to play the full release when it comes out on May 12, 2026, for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
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lucy.buglass@futurenet.com (Lucy Buglass)
