ROUTINE

ROUTINE combines a retro-futuristic aesthetic with an unnerving sense of dread to create an incredibly engaging and highly atmospheric horror experience.

87%Game Brain Score

story, atmosphere

replayability, grinding

94% User Score Based on 3,570 reviews

Critic Score 80%Based on 14 reviews

Platforms

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About

ROUTINE is a single player action adventure game. It was developed by Lunar Software and was released on December 4, 2025. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

ROUTINE is a single-player first-person sci-fi horror action game set on an abandoned lunar base with an 80s retro-futuristic vibe. Featuring excellent graphics, a dense atmosphere, and a spectacular soundtrack, it combines intriguing storytelling with immersive exploration and stellar mechanics. Players must carefully observe their surroundings, solve mysteries, and survive intense encounters without waypoint markers, blending emotional depth with moments of humor.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 3,570 reviews

story406 positive mentions

replayability14 negative mentions

Incredible atmosphere and sound design that creates a constant sense of dread.
Unique retro-futuristic aesthetic that immerses players in a beautifully crafted world.
Engaging puzzles that require players to think critically and pay attention to their surroundings.

The game is relatively short, with a playtime of around 5-8 hours, which may not justify the price for some players.
The story can feel disjointed, especially in the second half, leading to confusion and unanswered questions.
Enemy AI can become predictable and less threatening over time, reducing the overall tension.

story
1,323 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
64%
5%
The game's story is characterized by its intriguing environmental storytelling and a mix of engaging and confusing elements. While the initial premise captivates players, many reviews note that the narrative loses coherence in the latter half, leading to a disjointed experience that leaves some players feeling unsatisfied with the ending. Overall, the story is seen as a blend of familiar sci-fi horror tropes, with a strong atmosphere and immersive world-building, but it often requires players to piece together details from logs and environmental cues, which can be both rewarding and frustrating.
- “The story is interesting and the mystery keeps you wanting to learn more.”
- “The story is engaging, the puzzles never felt unfair, and the monsters were scary.”
- “The story is drip-fed via notes and audio-logs, and lots of environmental details.”
- “The story is a vapid mess that goes nowhere, explains nothing, all while still feeling ham-fisted because of their very poor use of analogies that they beat you over the head with and are devoid of subtlety.”
- “The game had some unique ideas and implemented them pretty well and there were some very scary moments, but the ending was kind of nothing and the story didn't really go anywhere even though it was initially interesting.”
- “The ending definitely tried to be philosophical and open-ended, but to me it just felt lazy and like the writer(s) didn't really know where to take the story, so they just ended it on a biblical reference and called it a day.”
atmosphere
1,142 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
61%
38%
1%
The atmosphere in "Routine" is widely praised as one of its standout features, characterized by an immersive and oppressive environment that effectively builds tension and dread. Players commend the game's exceptional sound design, retro-futuristic visuals, and attention to detail, which collectively create a haunting experience reminiscent of classics like "Alien: Isolation." While some critiques mention gameplay issues, the overwhelming consensus is that the game's atmosphere is masterfully crafted, making it a must-play for fans of atmospheric horror.
- “The atmosphere is incredible, and the sound design was genuinely the best I’ve experienced in a long time.”
- “The atmosphere, sound design, and quality are great.”
- “Routine is a masterclass in atmosphere, sound design, art direction, and making Unreal Engine 5 not run and look like complete dogshit.”
- “The atmosphere is unsettling and the enemies have interesting AI and did several things I didn't expect that were super creepy.”
- “The atmosphere, sound design, and overall vision are incredible.”
- “The atmosphere is very dense and creepy, the technology is really interesting and cool to interact with and look at.”
gameplay
997 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
67%
5%
The gameplay of "Routine" has garnered mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its immersive atmosphere and unique mechanics, particularly the diegetic UI and the use of the c.a.t. tool for puzzle-solving. However, criticisms often focus on the gameplay's simplicity and repetitiveness, with some mechanics feeling underutilized or abandoned in the latter half of the game. While the game successfully creates tension and engages players through exploration and environmental storytelling, it may not satisfy those seeking deeper gameplay complexity or a more varied experience.
- “Every inch of the game drips in so much detail, character, and atmosphere that I audibly gasped when the credits rolled. This combined with the simple but gripping stealth/horror gameplay creates some of the most intense heart-sinking moments in all of gaming.”
- “The gameplay is excellent in the sense that many things require you to figure out based on the environment and context. The mechanics are clever, polished, and genuinely rewarding once you get the hang of them.”
- “The gameplay focuses on dodging/escaping enemies while you solve puzzles in the dark. The atmosphere is amazing, the gameplay is solid, the tension is off the charts, and the visuals are outstanding.”
- “Chapter 4 is the worst piece of slugfest in terms of gameplay you will experience: this section would benefit from having a map + you need to balance out power a lot, which means a lot of backtracking, which means a lot of enemy encounters and it always sits in places you need to go.”
- “Overall: this is worse than Alien: Isolation, worse than Soma, it is not a survival horror, because you have a lot of resources, enemies are quite dumb and gameplay felt boring after a few hours.”
- “The gameplay is very story focused and there's some jump scares thrown in here and there, but the gameplay itself felt a bit too bare-bones.”
graphics
819 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
51%
47%
2%
The graphics of "Routine" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning retro-futuristic aesthetic, reminiscent of classic sci-fi films like "Alien" and "2001: A Space Odyssey." Players have praised the game's attention to detail, immersive environments, and high graphical fidelity, which contribute significantly to the overall atmosphere and tension. Despite some minor critiques regarding visual clarity and post-processing effects, the game's visuals are generally regarded as a standout feature, enhancing the horror experience and making it a must-play for fans of the genre.
- “Every corner of the environment is beautifully crafted, and the ultra-realistic graphics perfectly set the mood and atmosphere, not to forget the incredible scoring that sets the ambiance as the cherry on top.”
- “The retro-futuristic aesthetic, inspired by retro visions of space-age exploration turned cold, gives the lunar base a sterile, oppressive beauty.”
- “The graphics are breathtaking and they seriously look like real life, the designs for the enemies are horrific in the best way possible especially entity A, utterly terrifying.”
- “The graphics can be a pain.”
- “I cannot stress this enough: the visuals are absolutely awful.”
- “The graphics have this filter on it that puts a fuzz on it like you're watching through a camera which does make it a bit hard to see, there's also some design choices that are a bit frustrating.”
music
110 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
51%
3%
The music in the game is praised for its minimal yet impactful presence, effectively enhancing the atmosphere and tension without overwhelming the player. Composed by Mick Gordon, the soundtrack complements the eerie sound design, creating a sense of isolation and dread that immerses players in the experience. While some players noted the sparse use of music, they appreciated how it was strategically employed to heighten moments of danger and discovery, contributing significantly to the game's overall ambiance.
- “The sound design and music are great, but the spatial sound could use some work; it made it confusing to hear enemies' footsteps sometimes, even with headphones.”
- “The music never overstays its welcome and always pulls its weight - it lets you ramp up the tension in your own mind and then fizzles itself out when it knows it is no longer needed.”
- “The atmosphere, sound design, and music are phenomenal, and I was spooked many times.”
- “They are used sparingly though as silence is used in equal measure, especially given the lack of music in most of the game.”
- “No loud music to tell you of danger or what you are supposed to react to.”
- “There's very little in the way of music, but what there is is used effectively, like chapter transitions or a tension-building piece to let you know when something is getting close to you.”
optimization
90 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
37%
4%
Overall, the game's optimization has received widespread praise, with many players reporting flawless performance, smooth gameplay, and impressive graphics even on lower-end systems. While a few users noted minor performance dips in specific areas, the majority experienced no significant issues, highlighting the game's ability to run well on Unreal Engine 5 without stuttering or bugs. The optimization is considered a standout feature, contributing to an immersive and visually stunning experience.
- “The performance is totally flawless despite running on Unreal Engine, with zero stuttering or anything, and it supports ultra-wide out of the box. Nice!”
- “I will also give high marks for performance, as the game cranked to the max on my PC runs smooth as butter and avoids the standard Unreal Engine 5 struggle where my system sounds like it is about to blast off.”
- “The best optimized Unreal Engine 5 game with some of the best visuals I've ever seen, and it is a masterclass in horror and environmental storytelling.”
- “Performance is shockingly bad.”
- “One of the more important areas had tremendous performance issues, hampering some important story beats and overall gameplay.”
- “The game runs well maxed out on my machine, but for some reason, the shadows setting causes a lot of stuttering if set to high.”
emotional
53 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional impact of the game is profound, with players experiencing a range of feelings from primal terror to deep sadness, often triggered by the game's eerie atmosphere, sound design, and storytelling. Many reviewers noted moments of genuine dread and unease, alongside unexpected emotional connections to characters and narrative elements, making it a standout experience in the horror genre. Overall, the game successfully immerses players in a haunting journey that resonates long after the experience ends.
- “This game is a very emotional experience; the sound design, the aesthetic, the story, it all creates a very immersive experience. The sudden shock of jumpscares, the anxiety of being stalked and watched, the misled relief when you think you're in a safe space, and the unexpected feelings you have for a certain person, place, or object.”
- “The end was satisfying and emotional; overall it was a more cerebral and experimental story than it first appeared.”
- “I just wanted to get my thoughts out there because this game made me feel things, and I can't say that about a lot of games anymore.”
replayability
41 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
44%
34%
Overall, the game is widely criticized for its lack of replayability, with many players noting that it can be completed in a short time frame of 4 to 7 hours and offers little incentive for multiple playthroughs. While the atmosphere and experience are praised, the linear gameplay and absence of varied endings or unlocks contribute to a consensus that replay value is nearly non-existent. Despite this, some players still recommend it for its immersive qualities, albeit with the understanding that it lacks depth for repeated enjoyment.
- “Codes and puzzle solutions are randomized per playthrough to add some replayability.”
- “This would make multiple playthroughs far more interesting and improve replayability significantly.”
- “Even though I am yet to finish it, I can tell the replay value will be little to none, but I don't know if that's something I care about, as the whole atmosphere and creativity is an absolute masterclass in horror design that puts it up there with the all-time greats in this genre.”
- “I beat the game in around 5 hours and there is zero replay value.”
- “In any case, the game has little to no replayability and a consistent runtime.”
- “There's not much (really anything) to offer in terms of replayability since most of the game is a linear experience carefully crafted around the fear of the unknown.”
grinding
40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
4%
93%
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, particularly in later chapters where puzzles and navigation become frustratingly slow and unengaging. While some appreciate the atmospheric elements and challenge, many feel that the gameplay loop is marred by excessive backtracking and convoluted mechanics, detracting from the overall experience. Despite some positive notes on level design and initial engagement, the consensus leans towards a lack of enjoyment due to the grindy nature of the gameplay.
- “Enemies so far strike a nice balance of being threatening but not tedious to deal with.”
- “The sheer tediousness of the puzzles killed any horror.”
- “It’s a tedious puzzle slog where you run from room to room, stare at muddy text, try to figure out which door opens next, and repeat.”
- “Once you understand the rules of this game, e.g. puzzle types and enemy patterns, everything just becomes so tedious and slow.”
stability
29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
48%
Overall, the stability of the game is a mixed bag; while many players report a smooth experience with no crashes or major bugs, others have encountered frustrating glitches, particularly with puzzles and certain gameplay elements. The game performs well on various platforms, including Steam Deck and Linux, but some users have noted issues with save file compatibility between systems. Despite these inconsistencies, the majority agree that the game runs beautifully and offers an engaging experience.
- “It didn't stutter or crash either and the experience was bug free.”
- “Routine, however, is living proof that with enough will, passion, and know-how, one really can make an amazing game that runs incredibly smooth and bug free in this day and age!”
- “This game looks and sounds amazing, clearly had a lot of love put into it, and is not buggy.”
- “The game is alright but very vague, and some of the puzzles, especially the codes (even though they are randomized), are very buggy. Sometimes I enter a code and it doesn't work, and sometime later when I try the same code, it somehow works.”
- “It's pretty buggy, pretty derpy, and it frankly drags along too slowly.”
- “It is a horrifically buggy mess that breaks so often that an entire 3 hours of my 7-hour playtime was spent dealing with them.”
humor
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by a mix of absurdity and dark comedy, with players finding amusement in quirky minigames, unexpected character designs, and ironic situations, such as a tourist's remark about a nightmarish hotel room. The presence of a funny little robot and the absurdity of certain game mechanics, like the overtuned monsters and convoluted puzzles, contribute to a lighthearted tone amidst the horror elements. Overall, the humor serves as a delightful distraction, enhancing the experience for players who appreciate a blend of comedy and tension.
- “The little robot was a lovely addition, adorable and funny and tragic.”
- “One moment that made me laugh out loud was when a tourist remarked through a text log that his room was 'comfortable as advertised.' The room in question was an Orwellian nightmare of bare orange windowless walls, more like a sanitarium cell than a hotel room.”
- “The designers of these spaces were clearly possessed with a sick sense of humor, mounting low-res 5 fps CRT screens to guns and flashlights as scopes, putting monster teeth on their ostensibly peaceful maintenance robots for no discernible reason, and constructing the most sterile, claustrophobic, threatening tourist resort imaginable.”
monetization
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
83%
The game's monetization strategy is notable for its absence of microtransactions, which is a positive aspect for players. However, some users feel that the advertising misrepresents the game's content, focusing heavily on a retro aesthetic and themes of totalitarianism, which may lead to disappointment in a market saturated with low-quality titles. Overall, while the atmosphere and details are appreciated, the misleading ads detract from the experience.
- “There are no microtransactions, which is a refreshing change in today's gaming landscape.”
- “I appreciate that the game doesn't include any microtransactions, allowing for a more immersive experience.”
- “The absence of microtransactions makes the game feel fair and enjoyable without any pay-to-win elements.”
- “However, this game is pretty misleading in its ads.”
- “Ultimately, it is through this excessive dedication to not just a 'retro' vibe, but a bizarre Reaganomic totalitarianism that routine leaves its mark in a market filled with second-rate demakes and low-res cash grabs.”
- “A shame, considering this game's advertising was always focused on robots and how it's a 'robot horror game'.”
character development
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
Reviewers praise the character development for its integration into an interesting narrative and immersive atmosphere, highlighting the attention to detail in character design and voice acting. The combination of nostalgic visuals and fair puzzles enhances the overall experience, making it a standout in the horror genre. However, some express a desire for deeper intellectual engagement, suggesting that without a strong atmosphere, character development can feel lacking.
- “I enjoy an intellectual narrative and character development, and I know we're all tired of cheap cop-out plots left up to the viewer, but more times than not, without the right atmosphere, things fall flat even when it is clear.”
- “And it shows, from the extremely detailed environmental design to the voice acting, music, story, and character design.”
- “As a designer myself, I can say the visuals, sound, character design, and just the attention to detail in general are all next level.”