ROUTINE stands out as a first-person sci-fi horror game that drops players into a retro-futuristic lunar base shrouded in mystery and dread. Developed by Lunar Software, this title emphasizes exploration and survival in a setting inspired by 1980s visions of space, where silence and isolation amplify every shadow and sound. Released in late 2025 after over a decade in development, it challenges you to uncover what happened to the base's inhabitants without hand-holding guides or maps.
Gameplay
In ROUTINE, the core loop revolves around careful navigation through the lunar base's varied sectors, from rundown living areas to forgotten malls and tram systems. You control a character equipped with the Cosmonaut Assistance Tool, or C.A.T., which serves multiple purposes like hacking terminals, scanning environments for clues, and even acting as a makeshift defense in desperate situations.
Progression depends on observation and deduction, as there are no waypoint markers to follow. Players must examine surroundings, collect data logs, and piece together the narrative from environmental storytelling. Encounters with hostile entities force decisions to run, hide, or confront, adding tension to the stealth and survival mechanics. The game's full body awareness and diegetic audio contribute to a sense of vulnerability, making every step feel deliberate and risky.
Puzzles integrate seamlessly with exploration, often requiring interaction with retro technology and logical reasoning to unlock new areas or reveal plot details. This hands-off approach can lead to moments of frustration, but it rewards patience and attention to detail, creating a deeply engaging experience for those who enjoy methodical horror gameplay.
Game Modes
ROUTINE is designed as a single-player experience, focusing on a solo journey through its horror-laden story. There are no multiplayer components or competitive modes; instead, the game offers a linear yet open-ended campaign where your path emerges from personal discovery.
Without distinct modes like survival challenges or speedruns built in, the emphasis remains on the main narrative playthrough. Players can revisit sections for missed details, but the structure encourages a single, immersive run to fully appreciate the unfolding mysteries.
Setting and Story
The game unfolds on an abandoned lunar research base, styled with 1980s aesthetics including floppy disks, CRT monitors, and analog interfaces. This retro sci-fi backdrop contrasts with the horror elements, building an atmosphere of isolation and unease as you delve into what caused the crew's disappearance.
Story details emerge through found footage, audio logs, and environmental cues, revealing a tale of technological hubris and unknown threats. The narrative drives forward-only progression, with discoveries heightening the stakes and pushing you deeper into the base's secrets.
Is It Worth Playing?
For fans of atmospheric horror and puzzle adventures, ROUTINE delivers a tense, unscripted experience that stands out in the genre. Reviews highlight its strong environmental storytelling and stealth mechanics, with outlets like IGN noting its terrifying chases and PC Gamer praising the balance of pressure and relief. Player feedback on platforms such as Reddit emphasizes the game's ability to evoke curiosity, suspense, and loneliness, though some mention frustration from its challenging navigation.
As of early 2026, the game remains supported with its initial release content, available at a discount on digital storefronts. If you thrive on exploration without guides and enjoy retro-inspired sci-fi horror, it's a solid pick that rewards persistence. However, those seeking fast-paced action or clear directives might find it too opaque. Overall, its decade-long development culminated in a focused, memorable title worth trying for horror enthusiasts.
