60
Routine seems stuck in the past, and the long-awaited project has once again failed to meet expectations. The work of Lunar Software rather resembles a bizarre sequel to Steven Spielberg's Jurassic Park: Trespasser, where the heroine would practically dislocate her arms trying to pick up a rock or a pistol.
90
Gripes aside, Routine is exactly what I wanted it to be. I want more. I would love to see these mechanics and this world taken further, especially if they can somehow make this more immersive with different ways to solve puzzles and the like. Extremely impressed. I simply cannot believe I finally got Routine let alone that it was this bloody good.
80
After an enormously long development cycle, the end result was worth the wait. The developers persevered through development hell to deliver a striking retro-futuristic setting enhanced by well-crafted horror elements. Across its 4–5 hour, mostly narrative-driven experience, the story and its deadly presences will keep you on edge.
9
excellent game. some people conplain about the short duration but i think it does what it set out to do perfectly in the 7.5 hours it took me to beat it. some puzzles are hard to figure out without a guide of some kind so be warned, this isn't just about the scary stuff
8
The scariest game since Alien Isolation - which it reminded me of a lot. Not too long, amazing sound-design and visuals, and scary as f***
5
Game becomes very difficult to navigate quickly, unless you're a genius at navigating you will be looking up guides or where to go constantly, after the first couple areas you will be lost, you will get lost, you will have to backtrack & look for what to do next, & everything is so vague & up to you to figure out where to go & what to do & how to solve these insane puzzles, really holds the game back in my opinion. There's not really combat which I loved because so many games feel the need to add random or lackluster combat into games these days, games can be just as fun & good without combat. This is a Survival game where you run & hide from enemies, you do have a stun gun that is also used to unlock doors, & navigate the ship. Atmosphere was cool, concept was cool, the little robot guy was cool, but with complex puzzles & navigation with literally no hand holding in this confusing environment, it becomes a chore to play, I ended up watching a guide while playing the last 2 areas because nothing is clear.
ROUTINE
Released On:
Dec 4, 2025
Metascore
Generally Favorable
79
User score
Generally Favorable
7.8
My Score
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All Platforms
Metascore
Generally Favorable
79% Positive
23 Reviews
23 Reviews
21% Mixed
6 Reviews
6 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Jan 7, 2026
90
Gripes aside, Routine is exactly what I wanted it to be. I want more. I would love to see these mechanics and this world taken further, especially if they can somehow make this more immersive with different ways to solve puzzles and the like. Extremely impressed. I simply cannot believe I finally got Routine let alone that it was this bloody good.
Dec 2, 2025
90
What Routine lacks in quantity, it makes up for in staggering quality. It’s cassette futurism at its most tactile, with an aesthetic direction that’s only matched by the novelty of its CAT tool. Lunar Software raises the bar in sound design to deliver a singular experience for sci-fi horror fans.
User score
Generally Favorable
71% Positive
80 Ratings
80 Ratings
16% Mixed
18 Ratings
18 Ratings
13% Negative
14 Ratings
14 Ratings
Dec 27, 2025
10
I really enjoyed the game. The story (despite some clichés) is truly interesting, gripping, and captivating. The design is phenomenal, from the retro technology to all the manual controls and the game's own filter, which makes everything more atmospheric. The horror element is also very well done; the enemies behave in very interesting ways and, at least from what I've seen, aren't scripted to find you on the map but instead wander around randomly (which is often the case, as the enemy often feels like they have a magnet that slowly draws them closer to the player, something I've never liked and which makes the whole thing less realistic). Everything is meticulously crafted, and in my opinion, it's a masterpiece.
Dec 17, 2025
10
We really need to talk more about this game.
The ambiance is nailed to perfection ive played alien isolation and we can clearly see the inspiration but still this game is unique. The sound design is more than incredible
The gameplay is not new but still efficient and satisfying
The story is so fkn good and i was so invested in the puzzle and enigma
And now lets talk about the big picture of this game THE HORROR cause damn i know for sure some of my neighbors has heard some real scream i didn't know i could make.
For me a good game is a game who make you feel something it could be happiness like playing a good game with friends, sadness and grief in a game like "Gris" or even anger that change into determination in some "souls like" game. That game have me shaking and praying i didn't get spot on. You have two kind of menace with two different ambiance who will make **** your pants and im not even joking the devs make you feel so vulnerable and only when u think ur safe comes the horrors of this game .
Its a masterpiece and i know for sure not everyone would like it as much as ive loved it but a wise man once said a game for everyone is a game for no one
Dec 24, 2025
80
For most of its runtime, Routine is an extremely well-constructed horror game where even the tiniest detail has a big impact. Even if you've been following it since 2012, it has been worth the wait. [Issue#419, p.104]
Dec 9, 2025
80
Routine is one of those games that made me feel relief after finishing it. And I will never play it again. But not because it’s bad – on the contrary, it is a terrifying horror with a very immersive world. The atmosphere is so bleak and heavy that it can scare off some players. And that’s good.
Dec 28, 2025
76
Routine delivers a notable experience through its superb retro-futuristic atmosphere and engaging puzzles, maintaining tension with exceptional art and sound design. However, basic enemy AI and sometimes unintuitive design choices detract from the overall fun, frequently interrupting its best moments and revealing a lack of polish.
Dec 10, 2025
70
Routine surprised me — a horror veteran — in all the right ways. Its worldbuilding feels real, the environments are rich and interesting, and its systems and controls really do immerse you. Add in the plentiful backtracking, unkillable foes, and light-touch signposting, though, and I think Routine will be one of 2025's more divisive horror games. But even with its handful of frustrations, this is still one of the most terrifying things I've played in years.
Dec 2, 2025
50
Unfortunately, while Routine has flashes of brilliance in its found-footage presentation and lovingly rendered Space Race-era tech, it’s unable to live up to a decade-plus of anticipation.
Dec 15, 2025
10
Not the best game for everyone, but a masterpiece of art for those who can appreciate it.
Dec 27, 2025
7
It's not a bad game, the atmosphere is amazing, good sound design and the cosmonaut tool is very cool. Unfortunately the studio behind it made some design choices that leave a lot to be desired, after finishing it I feel it could have been so much better with no many more features for example: the game makes you roam around a lot, and you don't have a map so it makes you waste a lot of time, they could at least add when you explored enough that the character makes like a handwritten map.
The story starts very good and intriguing, but somewhere in the middle it gets lost and changes until the end that in my opinion is not good at all.
Dec 11, 2025
7
Great atmosphere. If you like set, this game is a gem. Mechanics are not bad but get boring eventually. A bit salty in the price but a goog game.
Jan 5, 2026
4
I really hate leaving negative reviews, especially for video games, but I can't overlook just how disappointing this one turned out to be. The graphics are downright awful. The promotional screenshots and trailers make the game look far more polished than it actually is. In-game, the visuals are muddy, flat, and often just unpleasant to look at. To make matters worse, I experienced motion sickness playing this game, something I've never encountered with any other game. While some have compared it to Alien: Isolation, I really don't see the connection. Alien: Isolation is atmospheric, tense, and visually immersive, whereas this game lacks all of those qualities. It's more of a sci-fi "puzzle game" with frustrating gameplay mechanics, baffling design choices, and visuals that are, frankly, subpar. It doesn't offer any real sense of fear or tension, it's just plain annoying.I honestly can't bring myself to keep playing it. It's a waste of time. If you're looking for a game similar to Alien: Isolation, just replay that classic. Save your money on this one
Dec 14, 2025
3
Routine is one of the most disappointing horror games I’ve played in years and feels unfinished despite its long development. The level design is boring and repetitive, the world has no depth or personality, and there is almost no real narrative. The notes you find don’t help the story in any meaningful way and fail to build tension or context. Enemy AI is very weak, which kills most of the horror, and whatever little story the game has completely falls apart in the second half, turning into cheap 2010s horror clichés. If you see people praising Routine, they likely haven’t played many other horror games or are supporting the developers out of sympathy rather than judging the game itself.
SummaryRoutine is a first person horror exploration game set on an abandoned Moon base. Your job is to find enough data to uncover the truth behind the strange disappearance of everyone stationed on the Lunar Research Station.
Platforms:
- PC
- Xbox Series X
- Xbox One
Initial Release Date:Dec 4, 2025
Developer:
- Lunar Software
Publisher:
