Directive 8020 Lands with Mixed Reviews — Is It Worth Playing?

Supermassive Games dropped Directive 8020 on May 12, and the verdict is in: it's complicated. The fifth entry in The Dark Pictures Anthology sends players aboard the colony ship Cassiopeia, where a shapeshifting organism is hunting the crew one by one. It's the studio's most ambitious project to date — and also its most divisive.

What the Game Actually Does

Directive 8020 stars Lashana Lynch as pilot Brianna Young, and this time Supermassive went well beyond their usual dialogue-tree formula. The game introduces actual stealth sections where you need to hide from monsters and sneak through corridors, plus more action-oriented sequences throughout. It's a noticeable departure from the slower, decision-heavy pacing of earlier entries like House of Ashes and The Devil in Me.

Multiplayer fans will be happy: the game supports up to five players in couch co-op Movie Night mode, letting your whole group make decisions together and share the chaos. Online play is also available for those who want to scare their friends remotely.

What Critics Are Saying

The reception has been mixed, which is something of a pattern for this series. On the positive side, TheXboxHub awarded it a strong 4/5, praising the expanded gameplay and cinematic production quality. The sci-fi setting gives Supermassive room to do things they couldn't in their supernatural or historical entries, and the space horror atmosphere lands effectively.

However, player sentiment has been harder to crack. Several reviews note that while critics appreciate the ambition, audiences are less impressed — a frustrating split that suggests the new mechanics might not fully pay off for everyone. The stealth sections, in particular, have drawn criticism for feeling tacked on rather than integral to the experience.

"Supermassive's Darkest Sci-Fi Horror Yet" — TheXboxHub

The Easter Egg That Has Everyone Talking

One thing the community is excited about: a hidden Easter egg that teases the next Dark Pictures game. TechRadar reported discovering a secret that requires a specific unlock sequence to access. Supermassive has a history of hiding future game teasers in their releases, and this one is apparently a meaningful hint — not just a throwaway reference. If you're a series fan, there's a real reason to dig into the game's secrets beyond just finishing the story.

Should You Play It?

If you're already a fan of the Dark Pictures Anthology, Directive 8020 is worth your time. The sci-fi setting is fresh, Lynch is great in the lead role, and the multiplayer mode remains one of the best ways to experience this kind of interactive horror with friends. Just go in knowing the stealth sections are rough around the edges and that the game isn't a universal slam dunk.

If you're new to the series, there's no better starting point — each entry is standalone. But given the mixed reception, you might want to watch a playthrough first before committing.

Directive 8020 is available now on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC via Steam.