Supermassive Games’ ‘Directive 8020’ Strives for New Heights

Supermassive Games continues its intriguing narrative-driven game series, first celebrated with 2015’s hit Until Dawn. The studio’s latest endeavor, Directive 8020, marks a continuation of their mission to blend cinematic storytelling with interactive experiences.

Reviving The Dark Pictures Anthology

Introduced in 2019, The Dark Pictures Anthology faced mixed responses. Consisting of four unique horror games released over four years, it attempted to capture the branching narrative success of Until Dawn. Season 1 concluded, with Supermassive pausing the anthology only to return with Directive 8020, a fresh phase in the series.

This installment continues the anthology’s tradition by placing players in a horror scenario where decisions matter. The Curator, a recurring presence, now plays a minimal role, appearing as an almost hidden Easter Egg. Players focus on keeping five characters alive in a space setting where Earth is no longer habitable.

A New Setting and Mechanics

Directive 8020 propels players into deep space aboard the Cassiopeia, a scout ship on a colonization mission. This new environment introduces a mix of familiar influences, reminiscent of The Thing and Alien. While the story has derivative elements, a late-game twist provides a surprising and clever reimagining of the narrative.

Gameplay changes enhance engagement. Players now have full camera control during exploration, increasing immersion and discovery. Conversely, new stealth segments become repetitive and lack tension. While these additions may feel like filler, they showcase an effort to innovate.

Rewind Mechanic and Accessibility

A major feature is the ability to rewind and replay decisions, enhancing exploration of the narrative paths. This mechanic offers a way to understand the branching story without restarting the game. Enabled at any point, it allows players to experiment with different outcomes, providing a deeper narrative experience.

The absence of a Shared Story multiplayer mode, once a highlight, is noticeable. Nonetheless, the rewind feature adds significantly to the game’s appeal, helping articulate outcomes of player choices.

Technical Advancements

Directive 8020 is exclusive to current-gen consoles and utilizes Unreal Engine 5. Enhanced graphics options include 30, 40, and 60 frames per second, though 60 frames per second is advised for optimum fluidity. Despite graphical improvements, character animations sometimes fall short, contrasting with the high-quality voice acting from cast members like Lashana Lynch.

Conclusion

Directive 8020 reflects Supermassive’s ongoing exploration of interactive storytelling. Its mix of new and tried elements adds layers to the anthology while being familiar to returning fans. Those seeking a direct Until Dawn successor may find it lacking, but the evolving nature of the series promises future potential.

While Directive 8020 may not overhaul the existing formula, it’s more of what fans expect. If the Dark Pictures series intrigues you, this title is certainly worth a look, scoring a 6 out of 10 for its engaging, if imperfect, horror narrative.