Horror Sci-Fi
Ongoing coverage on Horror Sci-Fi.
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Directive 8020 Interview – Sci-Fi Horror, Couch Co-Op, Turning Points, and More
Supermassive Games' creative director Will Doyle discusses the studio's latest title, The Dark Pictures Anthology: Directive 8020, highlighting its shift to sci-fi horror, new gameplay mechanics like 'Turning Points' for replayability, and the return of couch co-op. Doyle explains how the team drew inspiration from classic sci-fi horror films and aimed to balance intense action with narrative drama, while also addressing the importance of visual fidelity for the horror genre on platforms like the PlayStation 5.
Directive 8020 review: A new breed of sci-fi horror
Directive 8020 is a new sci-fi horror game that marks a positive return for The Dark Pictures Anthology series. The game offers a fresh take on the genre.
New PS5 Sci-Fi Game Gets Strong Reviews Ahead of This Week’s Release
Supermassive Games' upcoming PlayStation 5 sci-fi horror title, Directive 8020, has received strong reviews ahead of its May 12, 2026 release. Critics have praised the game's setting, atmosphere, and story, with IGN calling it a "step forward" for the studio and its Dark Pictures Anthology series.
Review: Directive 8020 (PS5) - Dull Sci-Fi Thriller Is a Supermassive Letdown
Directive 8020, a sci-fi horror interactive drama from Supermassive Games, fails to live up to its potential despite a compelling premise inspired by Alien and The Thing. While the game offers numerous choices and branching narrative paths on the PlayStation 5, it suffers from a dull setting, uninteresting characters, and simplistic gameplay segments, ultimately leaving the reviewer underwhelmed.
Directive 8020 review: One giant leap for sci-fi body horror
Directive 8020 is a sci-fi horror game that delivers body horror and a sense of cosmic insignificance, featuring a unique 'Turning Point' system that allows players to undo decisions. The game, developed and published by Supermassive Games, is available on PC and is expected to release on May 12, 2026, for $50. The review highlights the game's branching narrative, complex characters, and gruesome death scenes, noting its improvements over previous Supermassive titles.
Directive 8020 Review – Strong Sci-Fi Horror Dragged Down by Weak Stealth
Directive 8020 is a sci-fi horror interactive story game that excels in atmosphere and narrative intrigue but is hampered by pacing issues and excessive stealth sections. While the game explores thought-provoking themes and features a compelling antagonist, the stealth gameplay often feels like dull filler, detracting from the overall experience. The rewind mechanic for exploring different story routes is a positive, but the reliance on bland stealth may deter players from replaying.
Directive 8020 Review: Dark Pictures Returns With Scariest Game Yet
Directive 8020 marks the return of The Dark Pictures Anthology with a sci-fi horror theme inspired by Alien and The Thing. This installment shifts focus from exploration and QTEs to more stealth-based gameplay, making it a more solo-centric experience. Despite changes like the removal of co-op, the game is praised as Supermassive's scariest yet, offering genuine chills and improved visuals on platforms like the PlayStation 5.
Directive 8020 review - Supermassive reinvents its cinematic horror anthology with mixed results
Directive 8020 offers a cerebral, slow-burn sci-fi horror experience that shifts away from Supermassive Games' usual popcorn thrills, featuring a stellar cast and a more sophisticated tone. While the game's narrative plot and stealth mechanics are considered derivative and perfunctory respectively, its patient build-up, character development, and the performances of actors like Anneika Rose and Lashana Lynch make it a compelling, albeit imperfect, entry in the Dark Pictures Anthology.
Directive 8020 review – Until Dawn in space
Directive 8020 is Supermassive Games' latest interactive sci-fi horror title, drawing inspiration from films like The Thing and Aliens. While featuring excellent graphics, solid voice acting, and an innovative 'Turning Points' system allowing players to revisit decisions, the game is hampered by a lack of context for choices and a rigidly linear structure. The narrative, set on an exoplanet as humanity's last hope, suffers from character development issues and excessive walking through dark corridors, ultimately scoring a 6/10.
Directive 8020 is Now Available to Pre-Load, Global Release Timings Revealed
Supermassive Games' sci-fi horror title, Directive 8020, is now available for pre-load on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC, with a global release set for May 12th at 7 AM PST. The game features five playable characters navigating a colony ship crash and encountering a shape-shifting organism, with new mechanics like Turning Points allowing players to revisit critical decisions. Enhancements such as PS5 Pro compatibility and ray tracing are also highlighted.
Game Reviews
Reviews for Dead as Disco and Industria 2 have been released. Dead as Disco is an Early Access title that blends rhythm-based combat with music videos, while Industria 2 is a Resident Evil-inspired sci-fi horror game.
Aphelion review: Hope is all we have
Aphelion is a narrative adventure game that draws heavily on classic sci-fi horror themes. Developed by Don't Nod, the game focuses on delivering a compelling story within this genre.
Directive 8020's Brief Demo Left Me Underwhelmed, Not Terrified
Supermassive Games' upcoming sci-fi horror title, Directive 8020, part of The Dark Pictures anthology, aims to deliver interstellar scares. The game follows the crew of the spaceship Cassiopeia after a mysterious disaster crashes them onto an alien planet, where they encounter unsettling lifeforms. Despite high expectations, the brief demo left the reviewer feeling underwhelmed rather than terrified.
Until Dawn dev's new sci-fi horror builds on Alien and The Thing's coworker paranoia: "It's a…
Supermassive Games' upcoming sci-fi horror title, Directive 8020, aims to blend cinematic narrative with survival horror elements, drawing inspiration from films like 'The Thing' and 'Alien'. The game focuses on workplace paranoia among adult professionals aboard a spacecraft, featuring stealth mechanics and player choices that impact relationships and survival. It is set to release on May 12, 2026, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X.
Retrospace announced for Nintendo Switch 2
Kwalee and The Wild Gentlemen have announced that the disco-punk sci-fi horror immersive sim Retrospace will be released on the Nintendo Switch 2 in 2026. Players will navigate a space station consumed by a black hole, facing mutated enemies and environmental hazards. The game emphasizes player choice in solving problems through stealth, combat, or environmental manipulation.
Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss Review | TheXboxHub
Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss is a first-person sci-fi horror game that focuses on investigation and puzzle-solving, set in the deep ocean. Players control an occult investigator named Noah, uncovering mysteries at a mining station. While praised for its striking visuals and impressive mechanics like clue analysis and sonar, the game can sometimes feel confusing with aimless wandering and a familiar Lovecraftian presence.
Galaxies Spring Showcase: how to watch and what to expect
The Galaxies Spring Showcase 2026 will take place on April 16, 2026, featuring over 50 games and seven world premieres. Hosted by Jane Douglas, the 60-minute event will include updates and trailers for titles like Sword Art Online JRPG Echoes of Aincrad, Atomic Heart's DLC Yerba Buena, and MOUSE: P.I. For Hire. Chris Thomas, Galaxies Founder, stated the event aims to give gamers a reason to be excited by showcasing a diverse range of titles.
Sci-fi horror adventure Directive 8020 from Supermassive Games arrives in May
Supermassive Games announced that its sci-fi horror adventure Directive 8020 will be released on May 12, 2026. The game features Hollywood actress Lashana Lynch and involves surviving an alien organism on a distant planet. It will include cinematic storytelling, couch co-op, and five-player online multiplayer post-launch.
New Details On Unreleased Breaking Bad VR Game Emerge
New details have emerged regarding an unreleased Breaking Bad VR game that Sony's Firesprite studio was developing for PlayStation VR around 2017-2018. The project, described as an 'experience' rather than a full game, would have allowed players to visit iconic locations from the TV series. Creator Vince Gilligan had previously alluded to VR game concepts but cited quality concerns as a reason for their cancellation.
Report: PlayStation's Firesprite Studio Almost Made Breaking Bad VR, as Well as a Sci-Fi Horror Game
A report details two unreleased projects from PlayStation's Firesprite studio: a canceled Breaking Bad VR experience and an unannounced sci-fi horror game. These titles were reportedly in development before being shelved.