The story for Directive 8020 has been revealed along with when we can expect to play Directive 8020 with a release date
It feels like it has been forever since we had any updates for Directive 8020 out there, and now here we are with some massive ones. Almost as if Supermassive Games was in the background changing and tweaking things to add in things they have learned along the way. Hence why it looks as if we have lost the Dark Pictures part to the title so that Directive 8020 can be something to stand on its own. Not that we are losing some of that, but worth noting as we dive into the story that we have for the game as we wait for it to release on the PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC on October 2nd. Yes, we have a release date for it all too along with some new gameplay features that will further make this one stand out from the other titles that have been given to the world.
So, to say Directive 8020 is not in line with The Dark Pictures is a little off. It seems that making their other games in the mix has allowed the team to learn and grow, so only the basics like the branching story and QTEs are in there, while we get a list of new things to experience as we go through the story. A story that will place us all lightyears away from Earth and on a ship that is infested with an alien organism. One that can replicate DNA and possibly even take on the shape of others. A standard in the Sci-Fi horror genres but one that does look to have some different spins on it too. All while Directive 8020 gives us some new stealth mechanics to use in the mix of things and possibly other ways to handle some of the obstacles in our way. You can get a look at the new story that is coming and a list of how the different tools will be offering up some different styles to it all just a little lower down the page.
Directive 8020 — Official Story Reveal
Earth is dying and humanity is running out of time. Twelve light years from home, Tau Cetif offers a small sliver of hope. When the colony ship Cassiopeia crash lands on the planet, its crew soon realizes 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.
In space, death takes many forms.
Key Features
- Alien Invasion: The colony ship Cassiopeia is infected with an alien organism, capable of transforming into any member of the crew. While you may be human, others in your crew may not be, and killers can hide behind familiar eyes. New stealth mechanics have been added to help players evade these deadly foes: you must keep your wits about you as enemies can emerge from unexpected places, and you’ll need to sneak and hide to get past these deadly alien stalkers.
- Brave Recruits: Introducing the Cassiopeia’s crew. You’ll control five crew members over the course of this expedition, but as paranoia and fear build, so does distrust. With their lives in your hands, your decisions will determine not only the crew’s fate but all of humanity’s, too.
- New Mechanics: Directive 8020 introduces several new tools. Throughout the game, you can use these to locate secrets, solve puzzles, and overcome enemies. The mission is all about survival, so every tool has its purpose in helping you think on your feet and stay alive.
- The Flashlight: As is to be expected from our games, you’ll spend a lot of time creeping around in the dark! Just be careful when using your flashlight, as aliens can spot the beam.
- The Scanner: You’ll have a scanner at your disposal for detecting electronics and remotely activating systems, helping to distract enemies and overcome obstacles.
- The Messenger: Your messenger lets you communicate and strategize with crewmates while staying under the radar.
- The Wedge Tool: Made for opening doors… but as a last resort, can also be used as a weapon to temporarily stun enemies, giving you a chance to slip away and evade death.
Fans of Supermassive Games’ previous releases will be pleased to know that the DNA of The Dark Pictures is still present – in fact, everything you love about The Dark Pictures is still here, from branching plotlines to impossible choices and split-second QTEs. In addition, the gameplay has been redesigned, polished, and amped up to bring more of a threat when exploring the environment.
Directive 8020 is coming on Oct. 2, 2025, with pre-orders available starting June 2025.
How do you feel about Directive 8020 seeming to leave The Dark Pictures behind and will it only be the basic movie-watching structure that has left? Do you think that we will keep seeing things evolve like this in all of their titles going forward and will they not stick to the tried and true because it makes them money? Will the stealth gameplay and other tools function like we have seen in some of their more recent titles or will we be seeing new gameplay just for this game and that they might use for others? Float on down to the comment section to let us all know what you are thinking now that we have all of these fun and new details. We are certainly keeping our eyes open for Directive 8020 and will have those updates on the site as soon as we get anything to share. It looks like things are evolving in just the perfect way for their games and I cannot wait to see more.