Routine is a new title from a three-person UK indie development team called Lunar Software. This is also their first game so no pressure on them, right?
There’s not much info on Routine such as release date and platform but Lunar Software has revealed a teaser trailer for Gamescon with story and game play elements. Routine is a first person horror game that situates you on an abandoned Moon base. The goal is to scour the base and look for any evidence that can reveal the mystery to this foreboding scenario. Within the trailer the Lunar Research Station is shown in very small tidbits from inside long hall ways, office rooms, massive engineering bays and even a shuttle hall that leads to the surface of the moon. The player is geared with a CAT (Cosmonaut Assistance Tool) that works as a flashlight and can be used to scan the environment.
Beyond the trailer, Lunar Software has explained that the Lunar Base is non-linear and fully explorable. They have also teased various secrets that one player may find but another player may miss. They also amp up the horror element by having no HUD what so ever (No health bars, points, or other helpful UI elements) and putting in deadzone aiming. For those unaware, Deadzone Aiming involves turning around in an FPS. Without Deadzone Aiming you’ll turn around like in most FPS titles where the gun and character both do a full turn at the same time. With Deadzone Aiming the gun moves first and can be more precisely and freely aimed, such as in DayZ, so the player can move the gun freely and continue to push the gun in any direction to look around.
With these elements players will have to aim to survive more so than in other experiences. The biggest element that is out of routine is Permanent Death. If you die you get to start from the beginning and there are no health packs either.
Routine establishes a great and challenging premise. Lunar Software will hopefully reveal more information but until then you can either salivate or shiver at the teaser trailer.
