Routine Reviews
Then there are the long walks where silence slowly builds, as the lack of UI and thoughtfully envisioned setting come together to create an alarmingly thin separation between the player and their beleaguered avatar. It’s in these too fleeting moments where the unease of isolation gives way to a particularly terrifying thought: what if we’re not alone?
ROUTINE is a very different and unique game. If you are somewhat fond of atmospheric games where the level design and gameplay are extremely simple, artificial, and rhythmic, this title can become one of the best and most exceptional experiences for you.
Review in Persian | Read full review
13 years have not been a waste. Routine is not a perfect horror game, but it is very thrilling, atmospheric and (in a good way) unfriendly.
Review in Russian | Read full review
Tasking you with exploring an abandoned lunar base and investigating what happened to it, Routine is a first-person horror game that will have you captivated from beginning to end thanks to its tense atmosphere and engaging puzzles.
Routine is a short but intense horror focused on mood over action. Not for everyone, but truly distinctive.
Review in Italian | Read full review
In conclusion, ROUTINE stands out as an experience that leaves a deep and lasting impression – not through what it explicitly shows, but through what it hints at, suggests, and allows to resonate long after the console or PC is powered down. It is a game that demands patience, focus, and a willingness to engage with its deliberate pace – qualities that set it apart in a gaming landscape dominated by louder, faster, and more immediately gratifying experiences. Its most striking achievement is the creation of an authentic, almost oppressive sense of solitude. This is not conveyed through grand set pieces or sensational events, but through the meticulous consistency with which every element – environment, sound, and design – reinforces feelings of disorientation and vulnerability. Exploration of the lunar station is never mundane; even the simplest actions carry weight, and the pervasive tension turns every movement into an emotionally charged decision. Equally noteworthy is the trust ROUTINE places in the player. It does not guide, explain, or reassure; it expects careful observation, attentive listening, and personal interpretation. While this approach may frustrate those accustomed to conventional narratives, it is precisely what makes the experience compelling for players seeking introspective, unconventional horror. Emotionally, the game conveys a steady, understated unease. The tension is never forced, manifesting through environment, sound, and silence rather than sudden shocks. It is a slow-burning anxiety, one that lingers even in moments of apparent calm, making the experience deeply immersive and memorable. From a development perspective, ROUTINE demonstrates rare coherence and artistic clarity. Despite a prolonged and complex production, it maintains a distinct identity. It is not perfect, nor does it claim to be; its imperfections are embraced, reinforcing a sense of authenticity and a non-standardized horror experience. Exquisitely crafted and sonically immersive, ROUTINE is recommended for players willing to engage with atmospheric, reflective horror – games that demand thought and attention in exchange for a uniquely immersive experience. It is a solitary, unsettling journey, one that does not entertain in conventional ways but fully immerses the player in a hostile, silent world, leaving a mark long after the credits roll.
ROUTINE is an atmospheric horror film, fascinating but imperfect: punitive, divisive and deliberately anachronistic, it foregoes jump scares in favour of loneliness, tension and powerful aesthetics, capable of imposing a unique vision despite its limitations.
Review in Italian | Read full review
ROUTINE is a strong warning that horror works best with restraint. It might not change the genre, but it confidently and skillfully repeats basic ideas. ROUTINE gives players who want a deep, thoughtful experience a memorable fall into isolation.
After several years in development and facing the risk of cancellation, Routine by Lunar Software finally arrives on PC and Xbox Series with a unique horror experience, born of a lost era yet possessing an impossible-to-ignore charm.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Routine delivers tense, atmospheric space horror, clever puzzles and enemies, as well as a bold story twist, but a short runtime, weak late puzzles, and no pausing drags this horror game down.
It may have taken Lunar Software's Routine thirteen years to come out, but it just became one of my favorite horror games of all time, because, quite frankly, the game does everything right
ROUTINE is an excellent, immersive horror experience that revels in building and maintaining tension, forcing the player to rely on their own wits to progress and survive. While some may be put off by the game’s slower, more methodical pace or its lack of handholding, those willing to meet it on its own terms will find a deeply unsettling and meticulously crafted experience.
Routine was a really cool experience and I enjoyed it a lot. I was completely drawn into the atmosphere of the game, I had some trouble with the robots, and most importantly, I had fun the whole time.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
ROUTINE is a perfect example of how experimenting with the horror genre can pay off fantastically. While the lack of a map and a proper pause screen can be frustrating, the difficulty makes each gameplay set piece feel far more uneasy. Additionally, the subtle approach to storytelling helps to enhance the atmosphere and aesthetic, creating a truly memorable experience despite the short run time. If you're a fan of unique horror games, then ROUTINE is a must-play.
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Review in German | Read full review
ROUTINE delivers a surprisingly solid first-person horror experience, even after thirteen years of turbulent development. Set in Union Plaza, the game relies on a minimalist narrative told through logs and level design, enhancing immersion. The gameplay is methodical, tense, and fully diegetic, demanding constant strategy as the player faces a real threat in the lunar base corridors. With stable performance and an engaging atmosphere, ROUTINE stands out as a survival horror worth paying attention to.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
My biggest criticism of ROUTINE is simply that I wanted far more of it, because Lunar Software’s intensely atmospheric, stunningly designed, uniquely immersive and impeccably sounding horror experience boldly strays from every genre convention—even if its intentional obscurity can frustrate—resulting in one of the most distinctive and exhilarating horror titles you can play.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
It’s a lonely journey through a cold world that I’ve found myself drawn to continuously since I finished it. With this, one fact keeps coming back to me — nearly 15 years after I first saw it, Routine is out, and it’s good.
ROUTINE is an immersive, tense first-person horror game that excels at atmosphere, environmental storytelling, and stealth-based tension. Its minimalist systems and basic gameplay loop may feel limiting, and the story never fully engages or surprises, but those willing to embrace the game’s focused design will find a highly rewarding experience. It perfectly conveys the sense of being utterly alone on a derelict lunar base, and despite its flaws, it’s a compelling journey for fans of atmospheric horror.