Directive 8020 from Dark Pictures Set for May!
Back in 2024 we wrote about the next installment in the super popular horror anthology The Dark Pictures, which already had a fantastic look back then. Well, now we have fresh news: Supermassive Games has announced that Directive 8020, the new game in the franchise, will finally arrive in stores on May 12 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC via Steam. To celebrate the announcement, the company has shared a new trailer nearly two minutes long in which we are shown various sequences from the adventure that present some of the tough decisions we will have to make to survive.
Directive 8020 is a narrative driven horror game that this time aims to take us to a very distant future, where Earth is dying. As members of the crew of a spaceship that has crashed on the planet Tau Ceti f, we will have to face an alien organism capable of mimicking its prey, so it will not hesitate to adopt the forms of our companions to replace them, a premise that easily calls to mind John Carpenter’s The Thing. Below you can watch the new Directive 8020 trailer, shared from Supermassive Games’ official YouTube channel:
The Many Faces of Terror
Directive 8020 elevates the gameplay of The Dark Pictures Anthology to new heights by integrating innovative mechanics that intensify the terror and survival. For the first time in the series, players will face real time alien threats that stalk the dark corridors of the spaceship Cassiopeia, requiring quick decisions and careful strategies. These creatures, capable of mimicking humans, introduce a psychological element that increases tension and paranoia among the characters, compelling players to constantly question who to trust. Additionally, the game deepens its branching narrative, characteristic of the series, allowing decisions to not only impact the main story but also the relationships and fates of the characters, fostering significant replayability.
On a technical level, the game utilizes Unreal Engine 5 to deliver advanced graphics and a visually stunning atmosphere, from realistic lighting to meticulous details in settings. Enhancements also extend to the cooperative multiplayer mode, now allowing groups of up to five players to collaborate and experience the narrative from different perspectives. Furthermore, stealth mechanics and managing limited resources add depth to the experience, challenging players to adapt and survive in a hostile environment. These innovations blend elements of psychological horror, action and survival, positioning Directive 8020 as a fresh and thrilling proposal within the genre.
Now, although the narrative, decision making and QTEs remain an integral part of the experience, this time Supermassive Games has decided to introduce new mechanics to make the game more interactive, meaning we will be able to explore our environments using different tools and paths. The studio has also confirmed local cooperative mode, which will be available at launch, while the online mode will arrive later, on a date to be confirmed.
So…
Okay, I am sure we are all looking forward to this new entry in the franchise that has given us so many scares. Now at least we know there are only a few months left until we finally get our hands on it. Personally, I cannot wait to try the online coop, and I even know exactly which of my friends will be my guinea pigs XD. I imagine Directive 8020 has been on your Wishlist for a while now, but if not, what are you waiting for? The links are where they always are! And since we have to wait anyway, how about stopping by the comments and telling us what you think about this new proposal from Supermassive Games? You know gamer, we’ll be reading you! 🙂
Images Source: Supermassive Games Official YouTube Channel, Directive 8020 on Steam
