Routine Review – A Retro‑Futuristic Horror Experience Worth Your Time
Routine Review – A Retro‑Futuristic Horror Experience Worth Your Time
Introduction
When Routine finally emerged from a decade‑long development limbo, the indie horror scene was buzzing with curiosity. Originally announced for a 2013 release—pre‑Alien: Isolation and the infamous PT—the game survived years of delays, a complete engine overhaul, and a shift from an ambitious procedural design to a more conventional linear experience. Now available on PC, Routine offers players a chance to explore a meticulously crafted, 80s‑inspired moon base that feels both nostalgic and unsettling. This review breaks down the game’s development history, core mechanics, visual and audio design, narrative, and overall value.
Development History
Routine began as an ambitious project with lofty goals:
- Procedural death and randomised level layouts
- Multiple endings beyond a simple binary choice
- An interconnected space station with adaptive AI enemies
These concepts proved difficult to realize, especially after the team switched to Unreal Engine 5 in 2020. The overhaul stripped away much of the procedural ambition, focusing instead on a curated, chapter‑based adventure. While the final product is less experimental, the decision resulted in a tighter, more polished experience.
Gameplay and Mechanics
Core Loop
The game is divided into distinct chapters where you explore an abandoned lunar facility, solve environmental puzzles, and confront hostile robots. The primary tool, dubbed the CAT (Control Access Terminal), functions as a multi‑purpose gadget:
- Scanning fingerprints and security codes
- Overloading electronics
- Accessing remote systems
The CAT’s battery management adds a subtle layer of tension—each charge provides three uses before a recharge, but spare batteries are plentiful throughout the base.
Combat and Threats
Early encounters feature sentry robots that patrol corridors. Their behavior is simple: detect the player, emit a buzzing alarm, and attempt to grab. A single grab is non‑lethal; a second results in death. However, the robots are easily stunned with a few shots, and the abundance of batteries means you rarely run out of ammunition.
Later chapters introduce more aggressive creatures. While they increase the action, they tend to feel annoying rather than terrifying, as the game’s pacing shifts from atmospheric dread to straightforward combat.
Art Direction and Atmosphere
Routine excels in visual storytelling. The developers embraced an 80s retro‑futuristic aesthetic, evident in:
- CRT monitors displaying soothing Earth scenes and cryptic commercials
- Neon‑lit hallways and flickering fluorescent lights
- Detailed set dressing, such as draped fabrics and handwritten notes, that make each room feel lived‑in
The use of light and shadow extends environments into darkness, creating a sense of scale and isolation. The art direction evokes influences ranging from Paul Verhoeven’s satire to Stanley Kubrick’s cold menace, delivering a world that is simultaneously beautiful and menacing.
Sound Design
The audio landscape reinforces the game’s tension. Quiet moments are punctuated by sudden, metallic buzzes when robots awaken, while ambient synth‑wave tracks underscore the station’s desolate corridors. The sound cues are meticulously timed, making each encounter feel purposeful and heightening the overall horror atmosphere.
Narrative and Storytelling
The plot unfolds through text messages, audio logs, and in‑world documents. Voice acting is solid, and the writing balances straightforward exposition with quirky details—such as worksheets explaining the CAT’s functions and whiteboards mapping the station’s timeline. Without giving spoilers, the story starts with a familiar “evil AI” premise but evolves into more intriguing, unexpected directions, especially toward the finale.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
- Stunning visual fidelity for an indie title running on UE5
- Cohesive retro‑futuristic art style that immerses players
- Satisfying tool interaction with the CAT
- Reliable performance—no noticeable bugs, stutter, or frame‑rate drops
- Engaging atmosphere and sound design
Weaknesses
- Short runtime (approximately 5‑6 hours) leaves the story feeling under‑developed
- Mid‑game puzzle sections become tedious, especially the power‑management segment in Chapter 4
- Enemy encounters become too easy, reducing the horror impact after the first half hour
- Limited mechanical depth—no inventory, health, or complex systems beyond the CAT
Performance and Technical Aspects
Despite its high‑resolution textures and complex lighting, Routine runs smoothly on modest hardware. The developers shipped a day‑one patch that fixed minor issues, and the game shows no signs of stuttering even in the darkest, most demanding scenes. This level of optimization is notable for an indie title using a cutting‑edge engine.
Verdict
Routine delivers a visually striking, atmospheric horror experience that shines brightest in its first half, where exploration and sound design dominate. The later sections suffer from repetitive puzzles and under‑whelming combat, but the overall package remains solid for its price point. For players seeking a concise, aesthetically driven horror game with a unique retro vibe, Routine is a worthwhile purchase—especially when it appears on sale.
Bottom line: Routine may not fulfill the original lofty ambitions, but its polished world, compelling art direction, and approachable mechanics make it a memorable indie horror title worth playing.