Pre-orders are now open for Directive 8020, a cinematic sci-fi survival horror game from Supermassive Games, launching May 12 on Xbox Series X|S.
Want the full breakdown fast? Watch our “Everything You Need to Know in 60 Seconds” trailer below:
1. Cinematic Performance Led by Lashana Lynch
Directive 8020 features Hollywood actor, Lashana Lynch (“Bob Marley: One Love,” “The Woman King”) as the ground-breaking astronaut, Young, battling to save her crew from an alien organism that is slowly taking over the ship and her crew mates! Experience immersive cinematic storytelling and edge-of-your-seat horror on a deep space mission to save humanity.
2. A Mission Where Every Choice Matters
Earth is dying and humanity is running out of time. Twelve light years away, the planet Tau Ceti f offers a small sliver of hope, but when the colony ship Cassiopeia has a disastrous malfunction and crashes onto the planet, the crew soon realize they’re far from alone.
Hunted by an alien organism capable of mimicking its prey, the crew of the Cassiopeia must outwit their pursuers to make it home alive. As they battle to survive, they are confronted with the hardest choice of all: to save themselves, they must risk the lives of everyone on Earth.
As you may have come to expect with a Supermassive Game – choices really do matter in Directive 8020. Live, die, save, shoot, run, confront – what you choose to do matters, and will determine how your game pans out. For instance, early in the game you need to reroute power from either the landing computer or the fire suppressant system. Both have implications for your playthrough – not all of them good! This is just one such choice in a game full of difficult dilemmas and tough moral choices, so choose wisely.
3. Trust No One
Directive 8020 is inspired by classic sci-fi horror film “The Thing,” but is set in deep space. The crew will encounter an alien lifeform that perfectly imitates its prey. Years of training and trust are lost among the crew when their enemy hides in plain sight. Who is human and who is not – how will you be able to tell?
The threats have 3 different stages to look out for. At first, they look identical to humans, so it’s quite hard to spot – this is where the ship’s scanner may come in useful! As they start to mutate, they take a hybrid form – grotesque half-human, half-monster abominations – and from this point you really don’t want to meet them! The final stage is ‘the hunter’ – fast, violent and very deadly. We suggest you avoid contact and run…
4. A New Kind of Threat
Players of our previous games will know that exploration forms an integral part of the experience but, new for Directive 8020, exploration can now come with a deadly twist.
For the first time, Directive 8020 introduces stealth gameplay to certain sections of the game, adding an extra layer of tension to an already scary and hostile environment. This is where you will meet mimics and hunters!
You will need to take extra care as you move through the Cassiopeia. Try to avoid being seen and watch where you step, as the mimics and hunters are sound and light sensitive – stepping on glass or turning on your flashlight will alert them to your presence.
To give you a fighting chance, your character is equipped with a scanner which can identify organic matter through walls and solid objects. This tool becomes indispensable in helping you avoid the horrors that lie in wait for you on the stricken Cassiopeia.
5. Rewind Your Fate with Turning Points
Directive 8020 features lots of tough choices and difficult dilemmas. However, for the first time in The Dark Pictures, Directive 8020 introduces Turning Points: a brand-new feature that allows players to revisit pivotal decisions using a visual branching story tree.
The game has two playstyle modes – Explorer and Survivor. Explorer mode includes Turning Points and allows players the ability to rewind their decisions at pivotal moments in the game. With Turning Points, you can revisit the sections that you missed, change your choices, explore a different branch or simply rewind because the character you loved is now a squashed mess!
However, if you prefer to live life on the edge and accept the consequences of your actions, then Survivor mode is for you. In this mode, there is no turning back if a character dies or a “wrong” choice is made; you’ll have to live with your actions.
In group settings – especially in Movie Night mode – Turning Points can add a new layer of social tension and excitement. If a character dies that the group has grown attached to, players can collectively decide whether to accept the consequence… or rewind and attempt to save them.
6. Don’t Play Alone
You can brave the mission alone in single player or recruit up to four other players and play together in Movie Night mode. This mode brings people together for an immersive horror experience as you pass the controller and make decisions together, taking turns to play different characters through the story.
Online Movie Night multiplayer will arrive in a free post-launch update.
7. Pre-order Now and Get the Digital Deluxe Upgrade
So, with less than one month left until launch, pre-purchase Directive 8020 now to get the Digital Deluxe upgrade at no additional cost. (Available separately after launch)
The Directive 8020 Digital Deluxe Upgrade includes:
- The Dark Pictures Outfit Pack
- The Dark Pictures Collectibles
- Cinematic Filters Pack
- Digital Artbook
- Digital Soundtrack
Pre-order Directive 8020 on Xbox Series X|S!
In space, death takes many forms.
Directive 8020 Pre-order
Supermassive Games
$49.99
DELUXE UPGRADE INCLUDED
For a limited time only, receive with every purchase: The Dark Pictures Outfit Pack, Additional Dark Pictures Collectibles, Cinematic Filter Packs, Digital Artbook and exclusive soundtrack
From the creators of UNTIL DAWN and THE QUARRY, an all-new cinematic sci-fi horror adventure that blends intense survival gameplay with meaningful choices and a branching storyline.
Earth is dying and humanity is running out of time. 12 light years from home, Tau Ceti f offers a small sliver of hope. When the colony ship Cassiopeia crash lands on the planet, its crew soon realize they are far from being alone.
Hunted by an alien organism capable of mimicking its prey, the crew of the Cassiopeia must outwit their pursuers to make it home alive. As they battle to survive, they are confronted with the hardest choice of all: to save themselves, they must risk the lives of everyone on Earth.
NEXT-GEN CINEMATIC SURVIVAL HORROR
Featuring Hollywood actor, Lashana Lynch (Bob Marley: One Love, The Woman King) as the ground-breaking astronaut, ‘Young’, experience immersive cinematic storytelling and edge-of-your-seat horror on a deep space mission to save humanity.
REAL-TIME ALIEN THREATS
Evade a deadly alien threat that roams the dark corridors of the ship, intent on eradicating human life. Overcome your enemies using improvised weapons, lightning reflexes, and stealth.
TRUST NO ONE
Encounter an alien lifeform that perfectly imitates its prey. Years of training and trust are lost among the crew when their enemy hides in plain sight. Who is human and who is not? Your choices are now more important than ever!
DON’T PLAY ALONE
Recruit up to five players to join you on your mission in couch-co-op movie night mode. Choose which crew members to control and work together with your friends to survive alien infiltrators, deadly dilemmas, and catastrophic system failures.
In space, death takes many forms.