On a moon soaked in silence and shadows, something watches from behind the flicker of a CRT screen. ROUTINE, the long-awaited sci-fi horror game from Lunar Software, is finally making its eerie return. Designed with an unsettling 1980s retro-futuristic flair, this first-person survival game drops players into a decaying lunar base where danger lurks in every dark hallway and clue-filled terminal. After more than a decade in development, ROUTINE is shaping up to be one of 2025’s most spine-tingling space horror experiences.
Trapped on a haunted lunar base with only your wits and a flashlight
ROUTINE takes place on an abandoned research station nestled deep within the dusty plains of the Moon. The station was built under a bold vision of tomorrow—as imagined back in the 1980s. Everything from the heavy clack of mechanical keyboards to the cold hum of analog monitors screams vintage futurism. There are no glowing HUDs or flashy indicators here—only raw steel, blinking lights, and the quiet dread that something has gone terribly wrong.
The journey began way back in 2012 when ROUTINE was first announced. Over time, the project vanished into silence, until it re-emerged with haunting new footage in 2022. Powered by Unreal Engine 5, the game’s visuals now reach photo-realistic levels of detail. With shadows that stretch just a little too long and sounds that echo just a little too loud, every corner of this lunar labyrinth feels alive—and not in a good way.
A survival experience built on fear, not firepower
There are no plasma rifles or high-tech suits to save anyone here. ROUTINE strips away traditional combat tools, forcing players to rely on their instincts and environment to survive. The real threat comes from mechanical nightmares called Type-05 robots—hulking machines that patrol the base with lifeless precision. Getting caught means death is close behind.
The game’s design keeps players vulnerable at all times. Running and hiding aren’t just options—they’re necessities. In tight corridors lit only by emergency lighting, every footstep must be careful, every breath held as one of those towering machines stomps past just inches away.
This pure survival tension brought back memories of tiptoeing through alien-infested ships in classic games like Dead Space or creeping past motionless androids in Alien: Isolation—but here, it’s even more grounded. Every decision feels final because there are no do-overs when something cold and metal finds you first.
One tool to light your path and maybe save your life
At the center of ROUTINE’s gameplay lies the C.A.T.—short for Cosmonaut Assistance Tool. This multi-purpose gadget isn’t just some gimmick; it’s essential gear for staying alive and making progress. Acting as flashlight, scanner, terminal access device, and puzzle-solving companion, it becomes an extension of the player’s hand—and their last line of defense.
As players explore deeper into the base’s twisted halls and forgotten labs, they’ll unlock more functions for the C.A.T., slowly turning it into something powerful enough to interact with complex systems—or stun an enemy long enough to slip away unseen.
In one moment during hands-on testing years ago at an early demo event, Pax recalled stumbling across a sealed door while low on battery power. The C.A.T.’s flickering light barely revealed claw marks across nearby walls—and then came the soft whirring sound from down the corridor. That sense of helplessness stuck hard—a reminder that sometimes all you have is light and luck.
A story told by shadows and static
The game doesn’t spoon-feed its story through cutscenes or dialogue trees. Instead, ROUTINE invites players to investigate its mystery like true explorers—decoding audio logs left behind by frightened crew members or piecing together clues from notes scattered around malfunctioning consoles.
This approach turns every corner into potential lore waiting to be discovered. A half-scribbled note pinned near a bloodied locker might hint at what caused everyone to vanish—or what’s still moving inside the walls. The story doesn’t chase players down; it waits silently for those brave enough to find it themselves.
A future imagined by those living in analog days
What truly sets ROUTINE apart is its unflinching dedication to retro-futurism—a world imagined through old technology’s eyes rather than sleek modern visions. Players won’t see holograms or touchscreen displays here; instead they’ll interact with beige computers humming softly under green-tinted screens while typing commands on worn-out mechanical keys.
This aesthetic feels more than cosmetic—it changes how everything plays out. Long hallways lined with blinking indicator lights feel eerie because they’re grounded in tech we almost recognize but don’t fully trust anymore. It’s like stepping into someone else’s dream about tomorrow from 40 years ago—and realizing it’s become our nightmare today.
High-end visuals meet lo-fi vibes for maximum immersion
With Unreal Engine 5 powering its visuals, ROUTINE captures every detail with chilling precision—from dust particles drifting through moonlight beams to subtle reflections bouncing off rusted surfaces. But it’s not just about how things look—it’s also how they sound that completes this cold dreamscape.
The audio design fills empty rooms with creaks, distant clangs, and whispers caught between static bursts over abandoned intercoms. Sound becomes as much an enemy as any robot—revealing movement too close for comfort or warning that silence has stretched too long.
This attention to environmental storytelling pulls players deeper without needing words or flashy prompts—the base itself tells its tale through visuals that whisper rather than shout.
No HUD? No problem—immersion is key
Part of what makes ROUTINE feel so intense is what it doesn’t show: there’s no map glowing at the corner of your screen or health bar keeping score. Its minimalist interface keeps players focused entirely on what they can see—and what they can’t but think might be there.
By removing traditional HUD elements, Lunar Software pushes players into full reliance on their senses—the sound behind them might be nothing…or everything.
A body that actually feels like it’s there
The game also brings full-body awareness into play—not just floating hands holding gadgets but full limbs reacting naturally as you turn corners or squeeze through vents. Movement feels weighty and real as if stepping across metal grates could cause vibrations strong enough for enemies to notice.
This grounded physicality adds another layer of fear—not only does getting spotted mean danger but even moving too loudly might bring doom closer than expected.
When does ROUTINE come out?
After years spent lurking behind closed doors and cryptic trailers, ROUTINE is officially set to launch on December 4, 2025. It will release on PC via Steam along with other major platforms yet to be confirmed—but anticipation among fans suggests this will be one horror voyage worth strapping in for wherever it’s played.
A long wait nearly over—for something unforgettable
ROUTINE isn’t trying to be another sci-fi shooter or action-packed thriller—it wants players slow-stepping through darkened halls with their hearts pounding as much from fear as curiosity. It offers tension without cheap tricks, beauty wrapped in rusted wires, and mystery told through broken voices across forgotten channels.
The moon may be silent—but this game speaks volumes through its echoes alone.
The real question now is: will anyone make it out alive before discovering why everything went so terribly wrong?
F.A.Q.
When does ROUTINE come out?
ROUTINE is officially set to launch on December 4, 2025. It will be available on PC via Steam along with other major platforms that are yet to be confirmed.
What type of game is ROUTINE?
ROUTINE is a first-person sci-fi horror game set on an abandoned lunar base. It features survival gameplay where players must rely on their instincts and environment to navigate threats, rather than traditional combat tools.
What platforms is ROUTINE on?
Currently, ROUTINE is confirmed to be released on PC via Steam. Other major platforms for the game have yet to be announced.
Does ROUTINE have a multiplayer mode?
No, ROUTINE does not feature a multiplayer mode. The game is designed as a single-player experience focusing on atmospheric exploration and environmental storytelling.
What is unique about ROUTINE’s gameplay mechanics?
ROUTINE stands out for its minimalist UI, retro-futuristic aesthetic, and the use of the C.A.T. device—a multi-purpose tool that functions as a flashlight, scanner, and puzzle-solving gadget. The game emphasizes stealth and survival in a tense, immersive environment.
How does ROUTINE tell its story?
ROUTINE employs environmental storytelling, allowing players to piece together its narrative through audio logs, notes, and environmental clues scattered throughout the lunar base. This approach encourages exploration and discovery.
