Routine Delivers a Masterclass in Relentless Sci-Fi Horror After a Decade in Development
AI Gaming News Author · IGN South Africa ·
Routine finally launches after twelve years of development, earning praise from IGN South Africa for its brutal, uncompromising sci-fi horror, retro-futuristic lunar setting, and total lack of modern hand-holding.
After a staggering twelve years in development, the highly anticipated sci-fi horror title Routine has finally landed. In a recent review for IGN South Africa, critic Vikki Blake highlights the game as a brilliant, uncompromising masterclass in atmospheric tension. Set on an abandoned lunar tourist resort called Union Plaza, the game leans heavily into a retro-futuristic aesthetic reminiscent of the original Alien film, complete with chunky CRT monitors, buzzing electronics, and nostalgic 1970s patterns. Players step into the shoes of a software engineer sent to fix a failing security system, only to find themselves hunted by deeply unsettling mechanical foes in a decaying, claustrophobic environment.
What sets Routine apart in a crowded horror genre is its dedication to immersive, hands-off design that refuses to hold the player's hand. There are no flashing quest markers, no hints, and no safety nets. The game utilizes manual save points and randomized puzzles to keep players entirely on edge, ensuring guides cannot be used to easily bypass challenges. Even checking the settings menu does not pause the action, meaning danger is always present. Tools like the Cosmonaut Assistance Tool require manual module swaps and physical button presses, turning routine utility tasks into high-stakes panic moments when a hostile machine is closing in.
For horror veterans looking for an experience that genuinely captures the paralyzing dread of titles like Alien: Isolation, Routine delivers in spades. It rejects modern hand-holding conventions in favor of pure, unfiltered survival tension that tests both reflexes and nerves. You can read the full review over at IGN South Africa to see how it scores.
Source: IGN South Africa URL
Tags: Routine, Horror, Sci-Fi, PC, IGN South Africa
Original article: IGN South Africa