We tried Directive 8020 at this year’s Gamescom and reveal whether this chilling sci-fi horror game is worth the wait.
In the latest entry of The Dark Pictures Anthology, Supermassive Games takes players into a dark future in space for the first time. Directive 8020 blends moral dilemmas with tense survival horror, shaking up the series’ familiar formula in a big way.
A Dark Future Inspired by Sci-Fi Classics
It’s the year 2137. Stranded on the hostile planet Tau Ceti f, a five-person crew led by pilot Brianna Young struggles to survive. But the true threat doesn’t come from the outside world — it lurks among them: an alien organism capable of perfect mimicry, able to impersonate any member of the crew.
The story explores themes of mistrust, sacrifice, and moral boundaries. You’ll take control of all five crew members in turn as the situation grows increasingly desperate. Every choice has weight determining the fate of each individual and possibly humanity as a whole.
Even in its opening chapter, the tension is palpable, amplified by the claustrophobic station design and the constant sense of looming danger. Directive 8020 doesn’t just look fantastic—it sounds incredible, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of classics like Alien, The Thing, or the underrated 2017 film Life.
Real-Time Horror Under Pressure
One of the biggest innovations is the addition of “Real-Time Threats.” Unlike previous entries, danger no longer comes only through cutscenes or quick-time events. Threats can emerge organically from the environment—for example, when a supposed ally suddenly turns murderous or when an alien sound echoes down a dark corridor. In those moments, you’ll need to react: hide, run, or take a risk.
In our session, we had to flee from a “possessed” crew member, sneaking through shadowy corridors and storage bays to survive. These stealth sections definitely build tension, though they don’t yet feel as polished as in a game like The Last of Us 2. I never felt like I was truly about to be caught. Still, hasty decisions can quickly cost a character’s life.
Rewind Choices: The Turning Points System
Another key feature is the new “Turning Points” system. It allows you to rewind to crucial decisions and explore alternate story paths without starting over from scratch. This could be particularly useful for revisiting missed collectibles or testing different dialogue options.
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For those who prefer a purer experience, “Survivor Mode” makes every choice final, ratcheting up the tension even further. The decision tree remains visible, however, so you can still track your branching paths.
Between Tension and Tedium
As promising as the new features are, some sections still feel rough. Exploration sequences slow the pacing with sluggish movement and repetitive interactions. Certain interactive prompts also didn’t always respond reliably in our playthrough—something Supermassive has already pledged to improve.
The switch to a third-person perspective also stands out. While it provides better control and situational awareness in tense moments, it does sacrifice some of the cinematic flair that defined earlier entries. Visually, the new layout is closer to titles like Dead Space, giving it a stronger survival-horror feel, though it may alienate fans who loved the more movie-like style.
Directive 8020 First Impressions: Big Potential for Sci-Fi Horror Fans
After our first hands-on with Directive 8020, it feels like the series is pushing for a bold fresh start. The setting is thick with atmosphere, the alien threat is cleverly implemented, and new systems like Turning Points and real-time threats add both agency and suspense.
But there are still rough edges: exploration drags at times, and the mechanics need polish. Still, anyone who enjoys sci-fi horror with player choice—and has loved Supermassive’s past games—will likely find an intense experience here.
Directive 8020 was originally set for October 2 but has been delayed to the first half of 2026, partly due to studio layoffs and restructuring at Supermassive. The game is planned for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X.
