Developer: Supermassive Games
Platforms: PC (Reviewed), PS5, Xbox Series X|S
Genre: Action, Adventure
Publisher: Supermassive Games
Directive 8020 is the latest cinematic sci-fi horror game developed and published by Supermassive Games, the same developers behind Until Dawn and The Quarry. This review was done on PC, but the game is also available for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. If you are already a fan of narrative-driven horror games where every decision matters, then Directive 8020 delivers that same thrilling formula while adding a tense deep-space twist.
I have always loved games that let you shape your own story and genuinely affect the outcome through your choices, and Directive 8020 does that really well. The game gives players plenty of freedom to unlock different scenes, alternate outcomes, and branching moments that make every decision feel important. What I especially liked was the addition of a timeline system, similar to Detroit: Become Human, that highlights major turning points and lets players rewind to explore different choices. It works perfectly for people who want to replay the game multiple times, but it’s also useful for players who are too curious to wait and immediately want to see what would happen if they chose differently.
The story instantly pulled me in. As someone who loves sci-fi and space thriller settings, the whole idea of a dangerous life form slowly taking over a spaceship crew was incredibly entertaining. You play aboard the Cassiopeia, where an asteroid strike after 4 years, right before landing on a new planet, unleashes a terrifying alien organism capable of shapeshifting into other crew members. This creates paranoia and mistrust between everyone onboard, and honestly, some of the tension during these interactions was stressful. The game does a great job of building suspense and constantly making you question who you can trust. There are also a few twists throughout the story that caught me off guard and helped keep the narrative exciting till the end.
That said, there were moments where I felt the pacing dipped a little. Some episodes jumped between characters a little too quickly, and I do wish certain members of the crew had more development or backstory. Even so, the overall narrative still kept me engaged because the creepy atmosphere and mystery surrounding the alien threat slowly crept up on me the more you play.
Directive 8020 is split into 8 episodes, each filled with branching paths and decision-making moments. Gameplay mainly revolves around dialogue choices, quick-time events, solving problems under pressure and stealth sequences where you avoid the alien creature. Overall, the game feels very cinematic, almost like you are controlling your own interactive Netflix sci-fi horror series rather than playing a traditional gameplay-heavy title, which I did not mind at all. However, the stealth sections were probably the weakest part for me. Early on, they were exciting and tense, but after a while, they started to feel repetitive. Most encounters involve sneaking around the alien, hiding behind objects, and using a scanner that outlines enemy positions. The problem is that later sections never really evolved much beyond that. Sometimes the alien felt too passive, which removed some fear factor. I really wish the latter stealth moments felt more intense and unpredictable.
The decision-making side of the game was definitely one of my favourite parts, though. I liked how the game clearly warned you when a major turning point was approaching because it forced you to properly think about what you would personally do in that situation. Sure, you can always rewind and change your choices, but honestly, I think the best experience comes from sticking with your decisions and accepting whatever consequences happen. That’s where these kinds of games shine the most.
The game also includes multiple difficulty settings ranging from Forgiving, Challenging, and Lethal, depending on whether you mainly want to enjoy the story or experience a more punishing survival-focused run. On top of that, players can choose between Explorer and Survivor modes, allowing them to either freely revisit turning points or fully commit to character deaths and consequences.
Visually, Directive 8020 is absolutely stunning. The sci-fi setting looks incredible, the character models are extremely realistic, and the ship itself slowly transforms into this grotesque, infected nightmare as the story progresses. The lighting and environmental design create such a moody atmosphere that some sections genuinely felt unsettling to walk through. The cinematic direction during chase scenes, stealth moments, and character interactions all felt polished and immersive. The voice acting was also fantastic across the board. Every crew member had their own personality, and the performances made the characters feel believable and alive. Honestly, there were times when it felt less like I was playing a game and more like I was watching an 8-episode sci-fi horror series where I controlled the outcome. The soundtrack deserves praise, too, because some of the unsettling audio cues and ambient sounds genuinely crawl under your skin and make certain scenes way more intense.
Interestingly, Directive 8020 also features shared split-screen multiplayer alongside Steam Remote Play support. We tested both local and online multiplayer and had no issues connecting or controlling the game. Players can choose between “Custom” mode, where characters are manually assigned, or “Round Robin,” where control swaps between players depending on the current scene. Even though one player is often watching while the other controls a sequence, the decision-making itself becomes a shared experience. Honestly, that made multiplayer surprisingly fun because every major choice turned into a discussion.
We are very thankful to have been given another code for the game, and Moody had a few thoughts as well. “In my opinion, Directive 8020 is exciting as it focuses much more on the atmosphere, especially with the build-up of tension rather than there being back-to-back action. The game creates a feeling of uncertainty where you never fully trust what’s happening around you, and that makes the experience much more immersive. I like how the choices and story elements feel important, since they add pressure to every decision you make. The sci-fi horror setting also makes the game stand out, especially with its darker tone and cinematic presentation. I also really enjoyed the little gameplay additions such as the use of the messenger app and cycling through the cameras, which at times did jump scare me. I would say that the game was just a bit slow at the beginning and started to pick up afterwards. I did like the second half of the game a lot more! “
Directive 8020 delivers a thrilling cinematic sci-fi horror experience packed with tense decision-making, creepy atmosphere and stunning visuals. The game does a great job immersing players in its interactive story, where every decision can shape the fate of the crew. If you enjoy cinematic games and choice-driven gameplay, then Directive 8020 is definitely worth checking out!
Overall: 8/10
This is S & S. We are world game explorers. We play games. We have played over 10,000+ games! We travel, we write reviews AND we play more games!!!!
