ROUTINE

概要

ROUTINE is not your typical jump-scare-laden horror experience. It's a meticulously crafted, deeply atmospheric descent into dread, set against the backdrop of a retro-futuristic lunar base gone silent. Imagine a world where the sleek visions of 1980s science fiction have become cold, sterile realities, and then imagine that reality collapsing into a terrifying unknown. As an unnamed engineer, you awaken from a seven-day isolation period to find Union Plaza, a lunar tourist resort, eerily deserted and falling apart. There are no hand-holding tutorials, no map markers, and certainly no comforting music to ease the tension. ROUTINE throws you into the deep end, expecting you to use your wits, observational skills, and limited resources to unravel the mystery of the base's downfall and survive the horrors that lurk within. The core gameplay loop revolves around exploration, observation, and a constant sense of vulnerability. You’ll navigate the labyrinthine corridors of Union Plaza, and later, the eerie confines of the Prism Institute, searching for clues to piece together the events that led to the disaster. Your primary tool is the Cosmonaut Assistance Tool (C.A.T.), a device reminiscent of a chunky 80s handheld computer. This tool allows you to access terminals, read logs, navigate the environment, and, as a last resort, defend yourself against the mysterious threats that stalk the halls. The scarcity of resources and the permanent nature of death ratchet up the tension, forcing you to make every decision count. Do you risk exploring that darkened hallway for a potentially vital battery, or do you conserve your energy and hope for a safer route? The oppressive atmosphere and the constant threat of the unknown create a uniquely engaging and terrifying experience. Visually, ROUTINE masterfully blends retro-futuristic aesthetics with modern graphical fidelity. The game captures the essence of 80s sci-fi, with boxy computers, cathode-ray tube monitors, and a distinct lack of sleek, modern interfaces. This retro design is then enhanced by the power of Unreal Engine 5, creating a visually stunning and unsettling environment. Lighting plays a crucial role, casting long, ominous shadows and highlighting the decay and disrepair of the lunar base. The sound design is equally impressive, relying heavily on diegetic audio and minimal background music to create a sense of isolation and vulnerability. Every creak, groan, and whirring sound amplifies the tension, keeping you constantly on edge. The lack of a traditional UI further immerses you in the world, forcing you to rely on your senses and observations to survive. ROUTINE distinguishes itself from other horror games through its emphasis on atmosphere, exploration, and vulnerability. Unlike many modern horror titles that rely heavily on jump scares and scripted events, ROUTINE creates a persistent sense of dread through its environmental design, sound design, and the constant threat of permadeath. The game shares some similarities with titles like "Alien: Isolation" in its focus on hiding and avoiding a powerful enemy, but ROUTINE's unique retro-futuristic setting and emphasis on environmental storytelling set it apart. The lack of waypoints or explicit guidance also sets it apart from more linear horror experiences, encouraging players to explore and discover the mysteries of the lunar base at their own pace. ROUTINE is a must-play for fans of atmospheric horror, retro science fiction, and challenging survival experiences. If you enjoy games that prioritize immersion, exploration, and a constant sense of vulnerability, ROUTINE will not disappoint. Be warned, however, that this is not a game for the faint of heart. It demands patience, observation, and a willingness to embrace the unknown. But for those who are brave enough to venture into the silent halls of Union Plaza, a truly unforgettable and terrifying experience awaits. Prepare to be immersed, to be challenged, and to be truly scared.

ストーリー

The world of ROUTINE is steeped in mystery, beginning with the initial abandonment of Union Plaza, a lunar tourist resort designed to offer a luxurious escape from Earth. The year is 1999, and while the base initially appears to be a symbol of human progress and technological achievement, it quickly becomes clear that something has gone horribly wrong. The scattered notes, emails, and recordings you uncover paint a picture of a facility plagued by a strange illness and overrun by rogue robots. The initial incident seems to stem from a moonquake, which uncovered a previously unknown fissure containing unusual vegetation and a humanoid body. This discovery triggers a series of events, including a facility-wide lockdown and the spread of a mysterious disease. The protagonist, an unnamed External Software Engineer identified only as 'The Player,' arrives at Union Plaza seemingly after the initial chaos has subsided, but the facility is far from safe. He becomes the player-controlled character who must navigate the desolation. The Player isn't the only character whose story is unveiled throughout the game, as you uncover the narratives of individuals like security officer John Cooper and Head of Security Kei Koyama. Cooper's discovery of the fissure and his subsequent illness play a crucial role in the unfolding events. Koyama, initially tasked with maintaining order, becomes increasingly desperate as the situation spirals out of control. These characters, though encountered only through their written and recorded accounts, add depth and emotion to the game's haunting narrative. The central conflict revolves around unraveling the mystery of Union Plaza's downfall and surviving the dangers that lurk within. As the Player explores the base, he uncovers evidence of a deeper conspiracy involving the Prism Institute and their research into the 'Canal,' a cavernous geological feature on the Moon with anomalous properties. The Canal is revealed to exert a psychological influence on humans and contains alien life, including two entities designated A and B, whose fungal spores are the vector of the unknown disease. This narrative shift expands the scope of the conflict beyond the immediate crisis at Union Plaza, suggesting a larger, more insidious threat. ROUTINE delves into themes of corporate hubris, the dangers of unchecked scientific ambition, and the fragility of human control in the face of the unknown. The game subtly critiques the blind faith in technology and the potential consequences of prioritizing progress over caution. The Prism Institute's research into the Canal and their disregard for the potential risks serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of tampering with forces beyond human comprehension. The game also explores themes of isolation, paranoia, and the psychological toll of prolonged exposure to extreme environments. The haunting atmosphere and the constant threat of permadeath reinforce these themes, creating a truly unsettling and thought-provoking experience. The game ends on a note of ambiguity, leaving the player to ponder the implications of their actions and the ultimate fate of humanity's lunar ambitions.

Gameplay

ROUTINE's gameplay is a tense and methodical exploration of its haunting environments, where every step could be your last. From the moment you gain control of the unnamed protagonist, you're thrown into a world that offers no easy answers or comforting guidance. The moment-to-moment gameplay involves navigating the corridors of Union Plaza and the Prism Institute, searching for clues, resources, and a way to survive. You'll be scouring desks, lockers, and abandoned offices for batteries to power your Cosmonaut Assistance Tool (C.A.T.) and any scraps of information that can help you understand what happened here. The C.A.T. is your most important tool in the game and serves multiple functions. It's used to access computer terminals, read data logs, navigate the environment, and even as a last-resort weapon. The C.A.T. can be upgraded with modules that grant new functionalities, such as a blacklight for revealing hidden messages and pathways. However, the C.A.T.'s battery life is limited, forcing you to carefully manage your resources. When faced with hostile robots, you have limited options. You can attempt to stun them with the C.A.T., but this is only a temporary measure, and the robots are relentless in their pursuit. Stealth is often the best approach, forcing you to carefully observe enemy patrols and find ways to avoid detection. Hiding under desks, behind boxes, or in darkened corners becomes a crucial survival tactic. There isn't a traditional progression system as understood in modern games with leveling and skill trees. Progression in ROUTINE is more about knowledge and resource management. As you explore and gather information, you'll unlock new areas of the lunar base and gain a deeper understanding of the events that transpired. Finding modules to upgrade your C.A.T. is essential for accessing new areas and overcoming obstacles. Batteries are the most crucial resource, as they power your C.A.T. and allow you to use its various functions. These are scattered throughout the environment and must be carefully conserved. The lack of a traditional progression system emphasizes the game's focus on exploration, observation, and survival. ROUTINE is a single-player experience, focusing on creating a deeply immersive and isolating atmosphere. While there are no multiplayer features, the game's emphasis on exploration and environmental storytelling encourages players to share their experiences and theories online. The mystery of Union Plaza's downfall and the Prism Institute's research into the Canal provide ample opportunities for discussion and speculation within the community. The game's non-linear structure and the procedural generation elements in certain areas also contribute to replayability, as each playthrough can offer a slightly different experience.

Key Features

• 1Retro-Futuristic World: Experience a lunar base designed around an 80s vision of the future, complete with CRT monitors, chunky computers, and a distinct lack of sleek, modern technology.
• 2Cosmonaut Assistance Tool (C.A.T.): Your primary tool for survival, the C.A.T. is used to access terminals, read data logs, navigate the environment, and even defend yourself against hostile robots.
• 3Diegetic Audio: Minimal background music and realistic sound effects create a deeply immersive and unsettling atmosphere, where every creak and groan amplifies the tension.
• 4Full Body Awareness: Experience a heightened sense of immersion with full body awareness, allowing you to see your character's hands and feet as you navigate the environment.
• 5Limited Resources: Batteries for your C.A.T. are scarce, forcing you to carefully manage your resources and make every decision count.
• 6Permadeath: Death is permanent, raising the stakes and forcing you to approach every encounter with caution and strategic thinking.
• 7Environmental Storytelling: Unravel the mystery of the lunar base's downfall by exploring the environment and piecing together clues from scattered notes, emails, and recordings.
• 8Procedural Generation: Certain areas of the game feature procedural generation, adding replayability and ensuring that each playthrough offers a slightly different experience.

Highlights

Pros & Cons

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Scores

“Through me, you endure... Through you, I endure...”— Entity A (Hallucination)

“ROUTINE is a masterclass in creating a sense of dread and isolation.”— IGN

“A terrifying descent into a retro-futuristic nightmare.”— Game Tagline

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