Directive 8020 Review: Compelling Space Horror Better Watched Than Played
Mashable reviews Supermassive Games' latest title, Directive 8020, the fifth installment in the Dark Pictures Anthology, released for PlayStation 5. Set aboard the starship Cassiopeia during a mission to Tau Ceti, the game features a narrative heavily inspired by classic sci-fi horror films like The Thing and Alien. Players control a crew of scientists, including protagonist Brianna Young played by Lashana Lynch, who must survive an alien organism capable of mimicking humans. The review highlights a new rewind feature that allows players to explore different narrative branches without restarting, marking a significant quality-of-life improvement. However, the critic argues that while the story is engaging and atmospheric, the gameplay mechanics feel dated and tedious after a decade of similar titles from the developer. Ultimately, the article suggests that Directive 8020 is more enjoyable as a passive viewing experience, akin to interactive drama, rather than an active gaming session. Despite its gameplay flaws, the strong cast and compelling horror elements provide some entertainment value over its eight-hour runtime.
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Directive 8020 Review: Compelling Space Horror Better Watched Than Played
Mashable reviews Supermassive Games' latest title, Directive 8020, the fifth installment in the Dark Pictures Anthology, released for PlayStation 5. Set aboard the starship Cassiopeia during a mission to Tau Ceti, the game features a narrative heavily inspired by classic sci-fi horror films like The Thing and Alien. Players control a crew of scientists, including protagonist Brianna Young played by Lashana Lynch, who must survive an alien organism capable of mimicking humans. The review highlights a new rewind feature that allows players to explore different narrative branches without restarting, marking a significant quality-of-life improvement. However, the critic argues that while the story is engaging and atmospheric, the gameplay mechanics feel dated and tedious after a decade of similar titles from the developer. Ultimately, the article suggests that Directive 8020 is more enjoyable as a passive viewing experience, akin to interactive drama, rather than an active gaming session. Despite its gameplay flaws, the strong cast and compelling horror elements provide some entertainment value over its eight-hour runtime.
Mashable