The Dark Pictures Anthology: Directive 8020

"Directive 8020 had some serious potential, but it fails to conjure up anything of any real substance. There are little sparks of enjoyment in there, and I liked the Cassiopeia&s;s gradual descent into a gloopy, fleshy hell. But a dull …"

"Visually appealing, but lacking in gameplay. Directive 8020 offers an atmospheric journey through space, but one that is constantly undermined by inconsistent narrative choices and practically blind enemies, resulting in an adventure with too many ups and downs."

"Directive 8020 builds on the formula established in 2015, adding several gameplay layers (some more successful than others) to its narrative-driven core and butterfly effect mechanics. However, its greatest strength lies in the freedom it gives players to explore its …"

"A sci-fi horror adventure that wastes an excellent premise due to a lackluster narrative and gameplay that relies too heavily on hide-and-seek."

"Directive 8020 does a lot correctly, but tends to get in its own way instead of letting the player sit in the uncomfortableness. The new Turning Point system makes exploring new outcomes a breeze."

"Directive 8020 is very much a Dark Pictures Anthology game through and through. This sci-fi entry isn&s;t vastly different enough to alter Supermassive Games&s; formula but steps in the right direction still make it an entertaining horror to play with …"

"Directive 8020 is a good addition to the Dark Pictures anthology and a solid start to its second season. Its story ranks among Supermassive Games’ best work, marking a much-needed step forward for a studio that has struggled to release …"

"A new installment in the Dark Pictures series that attempts to stay true to its roots while simultaneously distancing itself from them by offering something new. Mission accomplished? Not exactly."

"Directive 8020 is an interesting experience, with some bold ideas, that will please fans of 70s and 80s science fiction, as well as those who enjoy racking their brains about whether they made the right decision."

"Directive 8020 feels like Supermassive’s response to growing criticism around the Dark Pictures series."

"Directive 8020 is everything you could want from a sci-fi horror game: Body horror aliens, the unwavering dread that all of us are insignificant when set against the great expanse of the universe, and fun QTEs."

"The Dark Pictures Anthology builds on some established features—the horror feel, the focus on plot and characters, and the narrative forks—as well as significant new features, most notably a new setting and revamped gameplay. Unfortunately, this desire for innovation hasn&s;t …"

"Directive 8020’s over reliance on stealth segments, cheap jump scares and jarring story transitions prevents it from being one of the best in the series."

"It&s;s dingy and it&s;s not without some mutations, but Directive 8020 is definitely worth exploring - just expect the mundane along the way."

"Directive 8020 is a bold attempt to evolve a familiar format, but ironically the biggest and most ambitious changes only serve to dull the game."

"Directive 8020 represents the best that The Dark Pictures games have had to offer thus far, proving that Supermassive Games is right at home within sci-fi horror. If you’re a fan of the studio’s previous games, this is an absolute …"

"Directive 8020 takes a bold step forward for cinematic horror, even as some of its biggest choices could have used a little more uncertainty."

"Stop me if you&s;ve heard this one. Earth is drained to the lees, people are pissed. No amount of green-bin attentiveness and cycle-to-work scheming h..."

"The overall plot, cast and character dynamics carry the story forward, and the bug-free experience, full stealth gameplay and other new mechanics set a new standard for future Supermassive games."

"Directive 8020 is a step forward for The Dark Pictures Anthology in terms of spectacle and storytelling, making it a chilling and impressive start to the second season of the series."

"Directive 8020 feels like Supermassive Games has finally rejuvenated after the disappointing The Devil In Me. With this being the start of season two, this is a great showing, and I can’t wait to see what horrors they bring us …"

"The Dark Pictures, as a broad project, feels like it&s;s at a crossroads with Directive 8020."

"Directive 8020 is Supermassive Games doing what it does best: making a horror adventure out of genre fiction. In this case, it’s body-snatching, Alien-hunting sci-fi and a diminishing crew under increasing pressure. Both its setting and time-jumping narrative construction make …"

"Directive 8020 may not be the revolution some were hoping for, but it still stands out as an interesting evolution of The Dark Pictures formula. With this new title, Supermassive Games tries new things and experiments, offering us a narratively …"

"At the end of the day, Directive 8020 is just the first game in the second season of the Dark Pictures games. My complaints about the ending could be resolved in future games, or it might just be a one-off …"

"Supermassive Games has brought the Dark Pictures Anthology back with style and panache. Directive 8020 suffers from being a little too generic in concept and letting itself down with gameplay elements that are at odds with the cinematic quality, but …"

"Supermassive goes sci-fi horror, with a refreshingly cerebral, slowburn take on its usual popcorn thrills. It&s;s let down by perfunctory stealth and an overfamiliar plot, but a stellar cast helps make it all worthwhile."

"Directive 8020 offers a few changes to the series template, and all for the very respectable reason of wanting to evolve and iterate the core gameplay fans know and love. Turning Points is a fantastic new addition, but the new …"

"Directive 8020 may not reach the stars, but it still delivers a thrilling sci-fi horror ride"

"With its revamped stealth mechanics and refined aesthetics, Directive 8020 offers a clear evolution of the genre, but continues to reaffirm some of the limitations, particularly in terms of interaction, inherited from the first season of the anthology. With excellent …"

"A journey that you never knew you needed, but one that you will be glad to have taken, once the fear subsides."

"Directive 8020 is an interesting and, in some respects, bold attempt by Supermassive Games: it doesn’t just change the setting, but seeks to revamp the series’ formula by introducing stealth sections, real-time dangers and a narrative rewind system that makes …"

"Supermassive Games takes the Dark Pictures series into space with Directive 8020, and with the introduction of new gameplay elements such as stealth, you&s;re more immersed in the action than ever before. Add in its brilliant presentation and gripping story …"

"Directive 8020 might please Supermassive fans looking for a new cinematic horror fix with a few cool narrative twists, but it&s;s let down by tedious stealth segments and uninteresting characters."

"Hyped as a combination of the horror of Alien and the paranoia of The Thing, Directive 8020 does neither well."

"Directive 8020 imbues every interaction in trust and paranoia, delivering emotional turbulence and atmospheric dread that&s;s only overshadowed by inconsistent mechanics."

"Directive 8020 is by far the best Dark Pictures game, embracing more stealth gameplay, making the branching story feel seamless, and setting a new bar for the genre."

"There&s;s a lot to like about Directive 8020, as the sci-fi horror video game is a nice departure from Supermassive&s;s previous titles."

"Directive 8020 marks a noticeable technical leap for The Dark Pictures Anthology, with impressive visual fidelity and a chapter based structure that fits the experience well. The new Turning Points system also makes it much easier to track branching paths …"