ROUTINE is a first-person sci-fi horror game set in an abandoned lunar base filled with malfunctioning robots, eerie silence, and unsettling tension. Its minimalist UI, permadeath elements, and unpredictable enemy encounters make survival brutally challenging. This guide will help you navigate the moon’s darkest corners, manage your limited resources, and stay alive long enough to uncover the truth behind the lunar facility’s downfall.

Understanding the Atmosphere and Gameplay

ROUTINE is not about action — it is about tension.

The game focuses on stealth, exploration, and environmental storytelling. Every step you take is slow, deliberate, and filled with risk. Learning to read the environment is essential, as clues about danger rarely come directly from the game UI.

Patience is your greatest weapon. Rushing guarantees mistakes, and mistakes often mean death.

Mastering Movement and Stealth

Movement determines whether you survive or get caught.

Stay crouched whenever possible; robotic enemies detect sound quickly. Move only when you know your path is safe, and never sprint unless you are escaping. Footsteps echo strongly in narrow hallways, drawing attention from patrolling robots.

Use corners, shadows, and obstacles to break line of sight. Hiding is more effective than fighting in ROUTINE.

Learning Robot Behavior

Understanding your enemy is key in a stealth-horror environment.

Robots patrol in patterns, but these patterns can shift unexpectedly. Watch their movement cycles from a distance before attempting to sneak by. Some enemies also react to small noises like opening doors or objects falling.

If a robot becomes suspicious, freeze. Movement increases detection. Only retreat once you’re certain it has lost interest.

Navigating the Lunar Base

The lunar station is a maze of dim corridors and locked sectors.

Pay close attention to signs, color-coded doors, and environmental hints while exploring. Many areas loop back into each other, allowing you to create safe routes if pursued.

Always remember where you came from. ROUTINE rarely gives navigation help, so mental mapping becomes a survival skill.

Using Tools Carefully

Your tools are limited and precious.

Use your Flashlight sparingly — it helps visibility but also reveals your location. Keep battery levels in mind, and turn it off when unnecessary.

Interaction devices like the Cosmonaut Assistance Tool may unlock doors, activate systems, or disable certain machines. Use them wisely; some actions cannot be undone.

Managing Resources

ROUTINE makes resources intentionally scarce.

Loot thoroughly, but never recklessly. Supplies like batteries or access cards may hide in desks, shelves, or maintenance closets. Searching takes time, and time increases your exposure to patrolling threats.

Prioritize items that directly aid survival or progression. Avoid hoarding junk that distracts you during tense moments.

Dealing with Permadeath Tension

Permadeath is one of ROUTINE’s harshest mechanics.

Death means restarting from earlier progress, forcing you to replay sections and refine your strategies. Instead of rushing to “catch up,” treat each restart as a chance to improve your mental map and stealth efficiency.

Fear of loss is part of the experience — embrace the tension instead of fighting it.

Audio Awareness

Sound is everything in ROUTINE.

Listen closely for mechanical footsteps, beeps, or metallic scraping. These audio cues warn you of nearby robots and allow you to plan your movements.

Your own noise is equally important. Doors, footsteps, and dropped items can alert enemies, so stay mindful of every sound you create.

Knowing When to Run

Despite being a stealth game, sometimes escape is your only option.

If a robot spots you, sprinting can be the difference between life and death. Use the environment to break line of sight: turn sharp corners, duck into rooms, or slam doors behind you to buy time.

Don’t panic. Escaping calmly is far more effective than running blindly into danger.

Exploring Optional Paths and Secrets

ROUTINE hides many optional areas containing lore, supplies, or shortcuts.

Checking these hidden spaces can give you significant advantages. Some provide safer routes through dangerous sections, while others offer deeper clues about the lunar facility’s failures.

However, explore only when you feel safe. Curiosity can reward you — or kill you.

Conclusion

ROUTINE is a masterclass in atmospheric sci-fi horror, combining stealth, tension, and exploration into a uniquely unsettling experience. By mastering movement, studying enemy behavior, managing resources, and trusting your senses, you’ll improve your odds of surviving the lunar nightmare. Every step is a risk, but every careful decision brings you closer to uncovering the truth buried in the moon’s shadows.