Directive 8020 is the fifth game in The Dark Pictures Anthology — and the opener of Supermassive's "season 2". The good news: each entry is fully standalone. The slightly more nuanced news: playing in release order gives you a stronger sense of the Curator's framing device.
Release order (recommended)
| # | Game | Year | Setting | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Man of Medan | 2019 | Haunted ghost ship in the South Pacific | Decent |
| 2 | Little Hope | 2020 | New England witch-trial town | Mid |
| 3 | House of Ashes | 2021 | Iraq war + Mesopotamian ruins | Best of season 1 |
| 4 | The Devil in Me | 2022 | H. H. Holmes-inspired murder hotel | Mid |
| 5 | Directive 8020 | 2026 | Colony ship Cassiopeia on Tau Ceti f | Season 2 opener |
Notes on each entry
1. Man of Medan (2019)
First entry; defines the Movie Night + Shared Story format.
2. Little Hope (2020)
Most divisive entry; controversial third-act twist.
3. House of Ashes (2021)
Tightest pacing and best ensemble cast in the first season.
4. The Devil in Me (2022)
Season 1 finale; introduces movement upgrades that 8020 keeps.
5. Directive 8020 (2026)
Highest-budget entry yet; new Turning Points + Destinies systems.
Can you skip to Directive 8020?
Yes. Directive 8020 has a brand-new cast, a brand-new setting (sci-fi vs season 1's horror grab-bag) and no carryover plot threads. The only recurring element is the Curator, and his role is fully self-contained in each game.
That said: if you fall in love with Directive 8020, going back through the older entries is rewarding — especially House of Ashes, which is the highest-rated of the first four.
Where Directive 8020 fits
- First entry in season 2 of the anthology.
- Highest production budget Supermassive has shipped.
- Introduces the Turning Points rewind system and the Destinies relationship matrix.
- Adds online Shared Story co-op alongside the series-traditional Movie Night.
FAQ
Do you need to play the other Dark Pictures games before Directive 8020?
No. Each Dark Pictures entry is a standalone story with its own cast and setting. The only recurring character is the Curator (Pip Torrens), who frames each game's events. You can start with Directive 8020 cold.
What is the best order to play The Dark Pictures Anthology?
Release order: Man of Medan (2019) → Little Hope (2020) → House of Ashes (2021) → The Devil in Me (2022) → Directive 8020 (2026). Release order is best because the Curator's framing builds context game-to-game.
Which Dark Pictures game is the best starting point?
Man of Medan if you want the intended arc; House of Ashes if you want the highest-quality entry from the first season; Directive 8020 if you want the most polished production values and don't care about series continuity.