Routine begins with the player stepping into a lunar station where all ordinary operations have stopped without explanation. The environment is characterized by silent hallways, unpowered consoles, and areas that appear hastily abandoned. Instead of guiding the player through scripted sequences, the game demands slow, careful movement. Every new room presents questions rather than answers, pushing the player to examine surroundings and form hypotheses based on what is left behind. The absence of clear instructions sets the tone for the investigation that follows.

Progress Through Observation and Tools

Movement around the station depends heavily on interpreting environmental cues. Doors may be locked, pathways obstructed, or power systems unstable, forcing the player to think about alternative routes. The Cosmonaut Assistance Tool becomes a key asset, allowing access to terminals and giving glimpses into restricted information. By using it at the right moments, the player can activate systems, analyze data logs, and reveal fragments of the station’s final days. The tool acts as both a guide and a necessary safeguard during exploration.

Central Activities That Shape Progress

Across Routine, the player continuously performs several important actions:

•         Moving through dim corridors while tracking structural changes
•         Accessing digital logs with the Cosmonaut Assistance Tool
•         Studying environmental hints to reconstruct past events
•         Selecting safe routes without guidance or checkpoints
•         Avoiding encounters with threats by using stealth and timing

These mechanics form the foundation of the game’s pacing and progression.

Confronting the Unknown Threat

As exploration deepens, the player becomes aware of an active presence within the station. This entity reacts strongly to movement and sound, treating the player as an obstruction. Because resources are limited and direct combat is rarely feasible, the player must focus on stealth, hiding, and precise timing. Some encounters may require retreat, while others demand creative use of the environment. The danger is constant, and the lack of checkpoints reinforces that every decision affects long-term survival.

Understanding the Situation Through Discovery

Routine unfolds its story through small, widely separated details. Terminals display incomplete messages, damaged rooms show signs of failed attempts to contain problems, and abandoned equipment suggests hurried evacuations. By examining these details, the player gradually uncovers the underlying cause of the station’s collapse. Each discovery provides context for the next area, linking the investigation together one fragment at a time.