Ever since 2015’s Until Dawn, I’ve been a big fan of Supermassive Games. From wincing as Rami Malek meets a grizzly end at the hands of a buzzsaw in Until Dawn, to fleeing an undead monstrosity in Man of Medan years later, the Guildford-based team has always excelled in delivering thrilling, cinematic scares that I enjoy. It’s why I came into my preview session with high hopes for the studio’s fifth outing, Directive 8020. Yet after finally going hands-on with Supermassive’s first foray into sci-fi, my bizarrely brief demo left me feeling more underwhelmed than terrified.
Part of Supermassive’s ongoing anthology series, The Dark Pictures, Directive 8020 sees the studio swapping teen slasher tales for eerie interstellar intrigue. A spaceship named the Cassiopeia is sent to survey a mysterious planet, Tau Ceti, as part of a routine resettlement mission, but a mysterious disaster occurs mid-orbit, causing the ship to violently crash on the planet’s surface. Stranded and with no way to contact Earth, things only get worse as the crew quickly discovers they are not alone. As they encounter unsettling alien lifeforms that can mimic the appearance of their prey, the researchers find themselves stranded, not knowing who to trust.
This is essentially Supermassive’s homage to Alien and The Thing, with a sprinkle of Event Horizon for good measure. Loading into the game a couple of hours in–with details of the crash and their first encounter still kept tightly under wraps–I join the crew of the Cassiopeia after the mysterious crash has awoken them from hypersleep, but seemingly before true Kurt Russell-worthy paranoia has hit.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on Directive 8020! It’s interesting to hear your perspective, especially as a long-time fan of Supermassive Games. Looking forward to seeing how the game develops from here!
Thanks for your comment! I completely understand your feelings about the demo. It’s worth noting that Supermassive Games often excels in narrative depth, so I’m curious to see how they might expand on the story elements in the final release.
Thanks for your reply! I agree, the demo didn’t quite capture the tension I was hoping for. It’s interesting to see how Supermassive is evolving their storytelling techniques, though; maybe future updates will bring more suspense.
I totally understand your feelings! The pacing in the demo did seem a bit off compared to their previous titles. It’ll be interesting to see if they can build that suspense in the full game. Let’s hope they bring back the gripping atmosphere that made Until Dawn so memorable!
I appreciate your perspective! It’s interesting how pacing can significantly affect our immersion in a game. Supermassive has a knack for building tension, so I hope they find a way to recapture that in the final release.
Thank you for your thought! I agree that pacing plays a crucial role in building tension, especially in horror games. It’s fascinating how a well-timed scare can elevate the experience, making us feel more connected to the story and characters.
You’re welcome! I think you’re right about pacing; it can really make or break the atmosphere in a game. It’s interesting how Supermassive Games often uses slow reveals to keep players on edge, but sometimes it feels like they hold back too much. It’ll be exciting to see how they evolve this in future titles!
Absolutely, pacing is crucial for building tension. It’s interesting how Supermassive Games has evolved their storytelling techniques since Until Dawn, but maintaining that suspenseful rhythm is definitely key to keeping players engaged. Looking forward to seeing how they balance it in future titles!