PREVIEW – The team behind The Dark Pictures is working on a new, authentic sci-fi horror! Expect a blend of stealth mechanics and survival horror elements in Directive 8020, which ushers in a new era for the series.

Just when you think you’ve got a handle on The Dark Pictures formula, it’s time to brace yourself for some big changes. The upcoming Directive 8020 isn’t just the series’ first journey into outer space and cosmic horror; it also introduces brand-new gameplay elements that give players more control than ever. While your decisions still play a crucial role-whether or not the crew of the Cassiopeia makes it out alive is up to you-this time, choices alone won’t determine your fate.

A Colony Ship on the Edge of the Galaxy

The Cassiopeia is a colony ship that crash-lands on Tau Ceti f, 12 light-years from Earth. The game stars Lashana Lynch as Brianna Young, and follows her struggle to survive and save her crew when it quickly becomes clear they are not alone on board. Described by the developers as “John Carpenter’s The Thing set in space,” Young will face off against a mutating alien organism that’s sure to give you nightmares. While it might be too soon to call Directive 8020 revolutionary, the series certainly seems to be tapping into the kind of potential fans have been waiting for.

Supermassive Games is known for its sprawling narratives, and I honestly believe no one does it better. There’s something truly compelling about knowing the story unfolds based entirely on your choices and logical-or sometimes illogical-decisions. However, previous titles didn’t offer much freedom over our destinies. Yes, there were quick-time events that were enjoyable, but I felt it was time for the next evolutionary step.

It seems that this step has arrived with Directive 8020. The quick-time sequences and branching narrative choices remain, but this time Brianna and her team are equipped with four essential tools: a utility strap to remotely control mechanisms, a scanner to detect nearby entities, a communication app to stay in touch with crew members, and a versatile device that can both breach doors and stun unexpected enemies.

Stealth and Survival in Space

In its latest installment, The Dark Pictures now shifts its focus to stealth and survival horror elements. How you use the tools at your disposal is left entirely up to you. In fact, during an interview, the journalists were warned that using certain tools could prove fatal. For example, the scanner might help detect Directive 8020’s shape-shifting enemies, but use it too close, and you might just give away your position.

“We conduct a lot of research on what players want,” said Dan McDonald, the game’s executive producer, during the interview. “And we always strive to deliver more exciting and enhanced experiences.”

“We were given extra time to complete the game, and the company has been incredibly supportive, allowing us to experiment with new ideas. Since the very beginning of Dark Pictures, we knew we would eventually venture into space, but this was a much bigger leap forward than what we saw with The Devil In Me. There was never a true threat during exploration before, but now, genuine terror awaits us in these environments.”

In the gameplay demo, Brianna tries to locate some of her crewmates while avoiding an unknown, shape-shifting enemy. These creatures bear some resemblance to The Last of Us’ Clickers, with their otherworldly screeches and pus-filled growths, but that’s where the similarities end. Unlike the Clickers, these beings aren’t blind, and they can instantly transport themselves to a different location via a spore network that spans the ship.

This makes them incredibly hard to track. During the Gamescom presentation, we saw the developers only use the scanner when it was safe and the utility strap to create a distraction on a nearby screen. At the end of the segment, after several minutes of stealthy movement, the creature suddenly appeared, forcing Brianna to think fast: she used her gadget to stun the creature and make her escape. However, this is just one of many possibilities, and if you’re not careful, Brianna’s story could end quickly.

Everyone Can Survive, or Everyone Can Die

As with other Supermassive Games titles, every character can live, or every character can die. “Horror always has a bittersweet quality,” McDonald explained. “We approach it from many different perspectives. This mission is about hope-the hope of humanity coming together to create something better, which then gets twisted.” This suggests that the range of possible outcomes ensures replayability.

I’m thrilled that Directive 8020 is exploring new territory in horror, venturing into cosmic horror this time. Sure, there are the usual jump scares, but to me, there’s a deeper, more psychological fear present. The idea of space is so inherently claustrophobic; I felt it as Brianna crept through the tight confines of the Cassiopeia. Yes, space is vast and infinite, but here is a group of people trapped in a confined space, with no way to call for help.

“Space is claustrophobic, even though we know it’s infinite,” McDonald emphasized during the interview. “Think of sci-fi films where people drift away and can’t make it back. It’s a real fear, […] almost like drowning when you can’t fight against what’s pulling you under.”

“It’s a key fear factor, combined with the sci-fi element. There are plenty of vents, panels, and machinery you can sneak through, but shadows could hide anything. The fact that the ship crashes rather than lands opens up new opportunities as the ship’s situation evolves throughout the game.” Dan added that “we even get to step outside the ship a little, seeing this fantastical alien planet that’s hostile to us.”

A New Era for Horror is on the Horizon

The Dark Pictures: Directive 8020 is shaping up to be exactly the kind of title fans have been waiting for. With its incorporation of stealth and survival horror mechanics, Supermassive Games might just move beyond its established narrative focus to create a new horror classic. The claustrophobic tension of space, a more open-ended gameplay approach, and a compelling story only a Supermassive title can deliver-all brought to life by top-tier talent. If they don’t miss the mark, this could be a real game-changer.

The Dark Pictures: Directive 8020 is expected to release in 2025 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

-Gergely Herpai “BadSector”-

Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment

Developer: Supermassive Games

Style: Survival horror, stealth game, narrative adventure

Release: 2025