Directive 8020 Is Out Now on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC

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This article first appeared on Game Empress, covering the release of Directive 8020 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. You can find more gaming news at gameempress.com.

The latest installment in the Dark Pictures series, Directive 8020, is now available. Developed by the creators of Until Dawn and The Quarry – Supermassive Games – this interactive horror game takes the series to space for the first time, appearing on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. Publisher Bandai Namco calls it a sci-fi survival horror experience inspired by ‘The Thing.’ It builds on the Dark Pictures format with new features like real-time dangers, stealth gameplay, and a ‘Turning Points’ system that lets players rewind and change decisions. Initial reviews are generally mixed-to-positive, praising the game’s immersive atmosphere but noting some inconsistencies in its overall execution.

What Is Directive 8020?

Directive 8020 takes place in a bleak future where the colony ship Cassiopeia has crashed on Tau Ceti f, a planet 12 light years from Earth and humanity’s final chance at survival. But the crew soon discovers they aren’t the only inhabitants – a shape-shifting alien has infiltrated the ship. As trust erodes and crewmates turn against each other, the player’s choices will determine who lives and who dies.

Okay, so the game’s atmosphere is totally inspired by two classics: Alien and John Carpenter’s The Thing. In fact, the game developers even said The Thing was a big influence! You’ve got that same feeling of being trapped on a tight, scary spaceship, and a constant sense of dread because you never know who – or what – you can trust. It’s like the alien can copy people, just like in those movies, and that makes everything super tense and paranoid. It really nails that vibe.

Similar to other games in the Dark Pictures series, Directive 8020 features a story where your choices matter, with quick reactions needed during events, and characters who can die permanently. This time, the game introduces ‘Turning Points,’ which let you rewind to certain decisions and see what happens if you choose differently, without having to start the whole game over. The developers see this as a way to discover all the different endings and hidden secrets the game has to offer, even after you’ve finished it once.

Directive 8020 stars Lashana Lynch (known for her roles in films like No Time to Die, Bob Marley: One Love, and The Woman King) as pilot Brianna Young. This installment is being promoted as the most visually impressive and focused on character development of the series so far.

Will Doyle, Creative Director, explained the launch of Directive 8020 as an evolution of their established horror style, blending it with the techniques of cinematic storytelling. He expressed immense pride in the team’s work, highlighting the exciting move into a science fiction setting for the first time.

Platforms and Release Details

Directive 8020 is now available to play on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC through Steam. Developed and published by Supermassive Games, it was released on May 12, 2026. The game costs $49.99 in the U.S., but prices on PC may differ depending on the store and where you are located.

No PS4 or Xbox One versions have been announced or confirmed.

Does Directive 8020 Have Multiplayer?

Yes, with a distinction worth understanding before you buy.

At launch, up to five players can play together locally in a mode called Movie Night. Each player controls a different member of the spaceship crew, which builds tension and suspicion since the alien could be disguised as anyone. This style of gameplay fits perfectly with the game’s central idea.

The game will have online multiplayer, but it won’t be available when the game first releases. It’s coming in an update afterward, and there’s no confirmed date for when that update will arrive. If playing online is the main reason you’re interested in the game, it’s best to wait until that feature is available.

What Critics Are Saying

As of today, Directive 8020 has a Metacritic score of 71, based on 47 reviews for the PlayStation 5. This is considered a “Mixed or Average” rating. On OpenCritic, the game has a score of 76, with 62% of critics giving it a recommendation. These scores are subject to change as more reviews come in. Overall, the game’s reception is similar to past entries in the series, which have generally received mixed to positive feedback.

PC Gamer praised Directive 8020, calling it a significant step forward for sci-fi body horror. Their review highlighted how the game’s branching storyline and difficult choices perfectly suit Supermassive Games’ style of tense, interactive horror.

TechRadar described the latest installment as a solid, though not groundbreaking, addition to the Dark Pictures series. They highlighted the enhanced graphics, the introduction of stealth gameplay, and a more accessible difficulty thanks to the Turning Points system. However, they also pointed out that while the game embraces classic survival horror, it doesn’t quite reach the same level as some of the top sci-fi horror titles. TechRadar advises players to use the Turning Points feature – which allows you to rewind and change decisions – cautiously, as relying on it too much can lessen the impact of your choices.

GamesRadar gave a mixed review, noting plenty of exciting moments but also problems with the story’s speed, how easily characters survived, and the uneven use of stealth. They ultimately felt it wasn’t the standout or the weakest entry in the Dark Pictures series.

Creative Bloq was the most critical of the four reviewers. They praised the realistic virtual actors and the game’s blend of familiar and new sci-fi horror elements. However, they felt the game’s emphasis on basic survival horror, rather than a story shaped by player choices, weakened what made Supermassive’s previous horror games so special.

Is Directive 8020 Worth Playing?

Directive 8020 is a good choice if you’re a fan of other games from the Dark Pictures Anthology or Supermassive. It delivers a sci-fi horror experience focused on suspense, player choices, and atmosphere, rather than action. Be aware that the stealth gameplay isn’t the strongest part of the game. However, the new Turning Points system makes it easier to explore different decisions, and the setting on the Cassiopeia is particularly well-done.

If you’re not already a fan of Supermassive Games’ style, this game is a tough sell at full price. Playtime seems to vary quite a bit, with most players finishing between five and eight hours. Critics are divided because the game is inconsistent – the stealth sections get repetitive, the pacing can be uneven, and while the ideas are good, some parts don’t quite work as well as they could.

Directive 8020 really shines as a local, five-player couch co-op game. The idea of one player secretly being a shapeshifting alien fits perfectly with how the game is designed, making it the most enjoyable way to experience everything it offers.

If you enjoy Supermassive Games’ style of interactive horror, Directive 8020 might be worth checking out. It puts that formula into a sci-fi setting with themes of paranoia and aliens who can change shape, and your choices really matter. While reviews suggest it’s a bit of a mixed bag – with a great atmosphere and branching story, but some issues with stealth and the game’s flow – it seems like a good choice for fans of The Dark Pictures Anthology. However, if you’re looking for a deep, intense survival-horror game like Alien: Isolation, this might not be for you.

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2026-05-12 19:29