Supermassive games (Until dawn, the quarry) is back with the second season of its series Dark Pictures. The first entry in the said season is Directive 8020. As you might expect, this is a survival horror game that emphasizes narrative decisions, with your choices ultimately determining which characters survive. This time, Supermassive is moving towards science fiction with a story inspired by The thing.
After a colony ship crashes on a planet that looked like it could be a refuge for a dying Earth, the crew is hunted by an alien creature that can transform into other life forms, including humans. There are five main characters, including pilot Brianna Young, played by Lashana Lynch (No time to die). You can play solo or pass the controller between a few friends in couch co-op mode, each supporting one or two characters. Online multiplayer will be added later.
One thing that does Directive 8020 Separate from other Supermassive projects is a new feature called Turning Points. This allows you to go back to previous decisions and select a different option. The idea here is to make it easier for players to discover all the outcomes of the branching story.
Directive 8020 is available now on Steam, PS5 (where you can check out a free trial), and Xbox Series X/S. It will cost you $50.
Battlestar Galactica: scattered hopes is a strategy game that takes place in — surprise! — the universe of the beloved sci-fi series Battlestar Galactica. It is said to build on developer Alt Shift’s previous game, Crying sunsa tactical and narrative roguelite which itself was inspired by BSG.
You will take charge of a fleet of ships as they attempt to escape the destruction of the Twelve Colonies and return to the eponymous carrier ship. You’ll need to resolve conflicts within your fleet, deal with bad actors in your ranks, manage resources, and make upgrades and repairs.
However, the Cylons are on your trail and you will need to prepare as best as possible for your next encounter with the deadly robots. Battles are more about surviving and taking as little damage as possible rather than ensuring victory in an all-out fight.
My colleague Igor Bonifacic tried an early version of the game last year and liked it. The reviews I’ve seen are generally positive. You can try Battlestar Galactica: scattered hopes by getting it from GOG or Steam (a demo is available on the latter). It will usually cost $25, but there is a 20% discount until May 18th.
The caribou trail It looks pretty interesting. This is a first-person walking simulation set in the trenches of World War I, in which you play as a young soldier from Newfoundland. Said to be inspired by the true stories of the troops who served in the Gallipoli campaign, the game tells a story of friendship and survival, with a bit of “folklore and psychological tension” mixed in.
The caribou trail, which comes from Unreliable Narrators and Gambit Digital, is available now on Steam and the Epic Games Store (usually $13, 10% off on Steam until May 28). The developers had planned to release a PS5 version at the same time, but were unable to resolve a critical issue with that version in time. As such, they have delayed the PS5 version until July 7th.
I really enjoyed my time with Minosa roguelite in which you build a maze that eliminates raiders with traps. Labyrinth – from Absam Studios – is a completely different take on the procedurally generated maze game. It’s a first-person survival horror title where you’ll gather materials, craft weapons, hunt for food, and attempt to fend off the terrifying creatures that lie in wait for you.
Luckily, you don’t have to go alone (it’s dangerous to do so, after all). You can bring friends with you in multiplayer. I should probably do just that.
Labyrinth is available on Steam. It will usually cost $10, although it’s 20% off until May 20.