Routine finally escapes development purgatory after 13 years, landing today on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, and Xbox Cloud Gaming with day-one Game Pass access. Lunar Software’s first-person sci-fi horror drops players onto an abandoned lunar base filled with malfunctioning robots that hunt intruders on sight. The launch trailer teases deeper horrors beyond mechanical threats, promising answers to what wiped out the previous crew amid retro 80s tech aesthetics.
First teased at Gamescom 2012 with a 2013 target, Routine vanished for nearly a decade before resurfacing in 2022 fully rebuilt for modern hardware. Raw Fury publishing gave the tiny UK team the support needed to finish, transforming early Unreal Engine 3 concepts into a tense survival experience emphasizing immersion over hand-holding.
Abandoned Lunar Base Nightmare
Set in an 80s vision of future moon colonization, players investigate contrasting sectors from deserted malls to crumbling living quarters. Full body awareness, diegetic audio, and zero UI markers force environmental reading for survival. No objective markers – observe flickering terminals, bloodstains, and robot patrol patterns to piece together the catastrophe.
The Cosmonaut Assistance Tool (C.A.T.) serves as flashlight, scanner, terminal hacker, and desperate last-resort weapon. Stealth emphasizes hiding in vents, timing robot patrols, and silent navigation over combat. Discoveries reveal crew logs explaining escalating failures leading to total blackout.
Immersion Above All
Lunar Software stripped traditional horror crutches for pure atmosphere. No HUD elements clutter screens – health shows through suit damage, oxygen via audible warnings. Realistic movement with momentum feels weighty in low gravity. Robots react to noise, light, and movement with methodical hunts rather than scripted jumpscares.
- No UI markers or objective waypoints
- Full body awareness and diegetic audio
- C.A.T. multi-tool for scanning/hacking/defense
- Realistic low-gravity movement physics
- Environmental storytelling through logs/clues
- Stealth-focused survival against robot patrols
13 Years of Development Hell
Lunar Software formed in 2011 by three flatmates dreaming big. Early Unreal Engine 3 prototype impressed at Gamescom 2012, but scope creep and tech limitations stalled progress. The project went dark until Summer Game Fest 2022 revealed a ground-up remake. Raw Fury partnership provided crucial publishing support.
Lead developer shared the journey: “It took us a while to figure out how to finish… but Raw Fury understood our vision.” The team thanks patient fans while acknowledging the agonizing wait. Routine emerges refined, trading early ambition for focused horror execution.
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Studio Founded | 2011 |
| Gamescom Announcement | 2012 |
| Original Target Launch | 2013 |
| Summer Game Fest Return | 2022 |
| Final Release | Dec 4, 2025 |
Aliens Vibes Meet Moon Mall Horror
Expect strong Aliens influences through methodical robot hunters patrolling familiar environments. Abandoned malls echo Dead Space isolation while retro CRT monitors and bulky spacesuits ground 80s futurism. Film grain, scanlines, and analog glitches enhance atmosphere without over-relying on gore.
Non-linear exploration encourages risky detours for lore. Multiple paths through base sectors demand different stealth approaches. Permanent death in segments forces careful progression. The launch trailer hints organic horrors beyond robots, suggesting layered threats.
Game Pass Day One Accessibility
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, and cloud streaming make Routine instantly accessible. Cross-progression syncs play between platforms. Optimized for Series X|S with Quick Resume support. PC targets 60fps across configurations via FSR upscaling.
No microtransactions or multiplayer – pure single-player horror. Achievements track exploration milestones and survival feats. Post-launch patches planned based on player feedback. Raw Fury confirms no planned DLC, focusing complete launch experience.
Why Routine Deserves Attention
Longest development cycles breed skepticism, but Routine delivers focused horror avoiding bloat. Minimalist design maximizes tension through environmental mastery. C.A.T. tool elegantly solves multiple needs without power fantasy crutches. Retro aesthetic sidesteps uncanny valley while feeling authentically period-appropriate.
Indie perseverance triumphs over vaporware fate. Lunar Software proves small teams achieve immersion rivaling AAA through singular vision. Game Pass lowers barrier for horror skeptics. The lunar base awaits silent answers – or violent ends.
FAQs
When does Routine release?
Launches December 4, 2025, on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC (Steam), Xbox Cloud. Day one Game Pass.
What is Routine about?
First-person sci-fi horror exploring abandoned lunar base. Stealth against killer robots using C.A.T. tool amid 80s retro-futurism.
How long was development?
13 years from 2012 Gamescom announcement to 2025 launch. Fully rebuilt 2022 with Raw Fury publishing.
Is there combat?
Stealth-focused survival. C.A.T. offers limited defense, but hiding/running primary strategies.
No UI markers?
Zero HUD elements. Full immersion via environmental reading, body awareness, diegetic audio.
What platforms?
Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC (Steam), Xbox Cloud Gaming. Cross-progression via Game Pass.
Any multiplayer?
Pure single-player. No co-op or versus modes planned.
Who developed Routine?
Lunar Software (UK indie), published by Raw Fury.
Conclusion
Routine emerges from 13-year shadows as immersive lunar horror triumph. Lunar Software’s perseverance delivers minimalist terror eschewing jumpscare excess for creeping dread. Abandoned moon malls crawling with robot hunters await via Game Pass instant access. C.A.T. in hand, players brave silent corridors where every shadow hides mechanical death. The wait tested patience, but retro-futuristic isolation proves worth enduring. Step onto the lunar surface – if you dare discover what silence conceals.