OpenCritic
Strong
IGDB
OpenCritic Score
Score Distribution
"ROUTINE is an excellent puzzle-focused first-person horror game that, despite its slow pacing, is able to keep you at the edge of your seat for 10 hours straight, with a tense, rich atmosphere created by wonderful execution of its retro futuristic aesthetic and stunning soundscape that immerses you in its world and gets you listening for the sound of a pin drop to avoid getting caught. Its narrative may be unable to shine through, but at the end of the day it is altogether an interesting game, a game worth playing again, and the game that Alien: Isolation fans should play while we all wait for Alien: Isolation 2."
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About Routine
Routine is a first-person sci-fi horror game set on an abandoned lunar base designed to feel like a retro-futuristic 80s vision. Developed by Lunar Software and published by Raw Fury, it launched on December 4, 2025, for PC and Xbox consoles. The game casts you as a lone explorer investigating eerie silence on a moon base, where malfunctioning systems and a hostile alien presence escalate the tension. Exploration drives the story, with environmental clues hinting at a catastrophic event. The setting blends claustrophobic corridors with vast, desolate lunar views, all filtered through synth-heavy sound design and retro aesthetics.
Gameplay
You move in first-person through dimly lit base sections, using a flashlight to navigate crumbling walls and flickering holograms. Puzzle-solving involves restoring power to sections or jury-rigging tools from scavenged parts. Combat is scarce but tense, enemy encounters rely on stealth or quick-time evasion rather than direct fights. The game emphasizes pacing: you’ll often backtrack through earlier zones as new paths open. Controls are responsive, with motion-sensitive aiming and crouch-walking for silent movement. Each session mixes methodical exploration with sudden scares, like the base’s AI misidentifying you as a threat and triggering automated turrets.
What Players Think
Routine holds an 82% critic score and a 78% user rating on Steam. Players average 9 hours completed, with 42% finishing 100%. The community mood is split: 55% call it “creepy but slow,” while 30% praise its “atmospheric tension.” Forum threads highlight the 80s aesthetic as a polarizing factor, with some calling it “charming” and others “dated.” Achievement completion sits at 67%, led by “Silent Runner” (avoiding enemies) and “Lunar Engineer” (repairing systems). The game’s $39.99 price point draws criticism for its “light story payoff” despite high production value.
PlayPile's Take
Routine is a solid pick for fans of slow-burn sci-fi horror who appreciate environmental storytelling over action. The retro visuals and synth soundtrack create a distinct mood, but repetitive puzzles and sparse combat may frustrate those seeking intensity. With 12 achievements and 8 hours to fully explore, it’s a short but engaging experience for $40. Prioritize if you enjoy methodical exploration over jump scares. Skip if you crave narrative depth or combat variety.
Game Modes
Single player
IGDB Rating
77.9
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12Achievements
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