Imagine waking up on the Moon, where reality blurs with nightmare and the ground beneath you whispers secrets of life that shouldn’t exist. This is the unsettling world of ROUTINE, a game that isn’t just about survival but about confronting a chilling legacy left by those who came before you. The story unfolds a tapestry of horror and intrigue as you navigate through a lunar station riddled with mysteries.
As an enthusiastic gamer and a storyteller steeped in tech narratives, I’ve followed the arc of ROUTINE closely. It’s not just a game; it’s a poignant commentary on humanity’s curiosity and peril. So, let’s walk through the details together.
1. The Premise of ROUTINE
Set against the backdrop of the Moon, you step into the shoes of an unnamed software engineer tasked with repairing the A.S.N. (Automated Security Network). The catch? The crew overseeing this lunar expedition has gone awry, leaving you alone amidst chaos. Your first waking moment occurs in Isolation Room 03, where dreams mingle with reality, hinting at an unseen force communicating with you.
2. Key Events Unfolded
The timeline of ROUTINE is a chilling one:
- 1977: Edith Stone disappears during a critical expedition.
- 1978: Entity A and B are discovered, heralding the beginning of a grim tale.
- 1999: John Cooper finds Stone’s body, leading to a contagion that infects others.
- 2025: A recovery team discovers the Moon is no longer a safe haven.
Each date is a breadcrumb leading back to the ominous Canal and the infected crew.
3. The Dark Transformation
ROUTINE doesn’t just throw you into a monster-infested lunar base; it paints a haunting picture of what happened to the crew. After battling through the infected remnants, you learn that curiosity often leads to doom. The mysterious Canal acts as a parasite, latching onto those who venture too close.
Edith Stone’s missteps in 1977 opened a Pandora’s box, and before you know it, the crew exhibits severe symptoms of infection. Their fate is sealed in stages:
- Day 1: Headaches and eye strain.
- Day 30: Breathing difficulties.
- Day 60: Death, followed by fungal growth.
This transformation lingers long after their demise.
4. Who or What Are the Entities?
The enigmatic Entities A and B represent the ultimate transformation. Entity A can manipulate its form, while Entity B embodies something darker, a tangible reflection of the crew’s fate. The relationship between them hints at something primordial, bringing to mind creation myths and rebirth. They are not simply monsters; they are reflections of humanity’s own failings.
5. The Gripping Conclusion
As the engineer, your decision to disable A.S.N. leads you deeper into the Moon’s lethal embrace. You find yourself entwined with the Canal in a profound cycle of rebirth. The ending paints a vivid depiction, akin to a cosmic creation story—echoing the biblical tale of Adam and Eve. Your final moments suggest that perhaps you too will embody a new form, just like those who came before you.
What does it all mean? ROUTINE leaves players questioning their identities as they face the cold reality of humanity’s lingering curiosity. What stands at the end of this journey? A rebirth? A return to the very essence of life?
Have you ever experienced a game that left you with more questions than answers?
Why did the crew get infected with a force that once seemed harmless? Can humanity learn from their mistakes or is curiosity forever bound to lead to despair?