Supermassive Games earned acclaim for their outstanding horror title, Until Dawn. Since then, the studio has consistently launched new narrative-centric horror games, and their latest project is Directive 8020. In addition to titles like Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet and Saros, there's a wave of upcoming PS5 games set in space on the horizon, but none offer the unique combination of horror and player-driven narratives like this one. With Supermassive exploring sci-fi horror for the first time, we are eager to dive into Directive 8020 and ensure survival by making the right choices.
A plethora of games has been announced this year, so make sure to follow our lists for the latest upcoming titles on Xbox Series X, Switch, and PC.
Release Date
Although it was just announced this year, Directive 8020 is set to release on October 2, 2025. Supermassive Games often aligns their releases with the Halloween season, making this game a perfect pick for that time of year.
Platforms
Directive 8020 will be available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. While there is potential for it to come to Switch 2, no other Supermassive titles have launched on that platform, so we wouldn’t count on it.
Trailers
The story trailer for Directive 8020 premiered during the February State of Play event, revealing both the game and its release date. Set aboard a ship named Cassiopeia, this mission aims to survey a new planet as Earth approaches uninhabitability. Initially staffed with only essential crew members, the mission takes a dark turn as the crew awakens four years into their journey due to a hull breach. The plot thickens with a murder and an unexpected crash landing, compounded by an alien entity that can mimic any crew member, reminiscent of The Thing.
The named characters confirmed so far include Brianna Young and Commander Staford, portrayed by Lashana Lynch and Danny Sapani, respectively.
Gameplay
The gameplay in Directive 8020 isn’t drastically different from earlier titles by Supermassive. It remains a third-person narrative adventure game where players control multiple characters—five in this case—while exploring environments, interacting with others, and making pivotal choices that may lead to serious consequences. As with previous titles, decision-making is a core element, promising some of the most challenging dilemmas yet.
In addition to exploration and interaction, Directive 8020 will introduce new mechanics. Characters will utilize a utility strap equipped with a flashlight great for navigating darkness, but be warned as it may reveal your position. Stealth will play a larger role, aided by a new scanner that allows remote interaction with various electronics, enabling distractions or communication with fellow crew members.
Another tool, known as the "wedge tool," assists in prying open doors and can be employed to momentarily incapacitate the alien threat. However, a brute-force approach won’t work, and players should treat its use as a means to escape rather than eliminate the enemy.
Preorder
Interestingly, Directive 8020 is currently not available for preorder, despite having a confirmed release date. We will keep this article updated with any new information regarding preorder options as it becomes available.
