Routine Uses Unreal Engine 5 to Create Retrofuturistic Horror
The studio Lunar Software is developing Routine, a first-person horror video game that stands out for using Unreal Engine 5 to materialize a retrofuturistic aesthetic inspired by the 1980s. Analog technology, with CRT monitors and crudely designed robots, combines with the most advanced graphical capabilities to immerse the player in a unique atmosphere. 🎮
A Modern Engine for an Analog Aesthetic
Although Unreal Engine 5 can produce extreme realism, in Routine it is used strategically to emulate and enhance a low-fidelity aesthetic. The global illumination system Lumen processes complex scenes in real-time, generating stark contrasts and deep shadows that hide threats. At the same time, Nanite technology handles detailed geometry, allowing environments filled with retro equipment at a high level of detail. These technical elements work to simulate the visual aesthetic of a past technological era. 🤖
Key Technical Features:- Lumen: Real-time lighting, creating contrasts and shadows that define the oppressive atmosphere.
- Nanite: Manages complex geometry for detailed environments with a retro style.
- Rendering: Emulates vintage visual effects, such as screen flickers and chromatic aberration.
The real horror might not be in the robot chasing you, but in trying to read a cryptic message on a CRT monitor with chromatic aberration while fleeing from it.
Building Atmosphere with Cutting-Edge Technology
Volumetric fog and the engine's particle effects thicken the air in space stations and deserted hallways, deliberately limiting the player's vision. Real-time reflections on metallic surfaces, like consoles and robot hulls, add a layer of verisimilitude to a world that would otherwise seem outdated. This contrast between advanced visual presentation and deliberately rough asset design is fundamental to the game's identity. 🌫️
Elements Defining the Atmosphere:- Atmospheric Effects: Fog and particles that reduce visibility and increase tension.
- Dynamic Reflections: Add realism to metallic surfaces within a retro environment.
- Sound Design: Mechanical hums and analog sounds that complement the visual aspect.
The Result: A Unique Horror Experience
Lunar Software's approach with Unreal Engine 5 demonstrates how to use cutting-edge tools to evoke a sense of technological obsolescence and isolation. The player finds themselves in an environment perceived as hostile and technologically obsolete, where modern technology is not used to polish, but to emphasize rawness and mystery. Routine positions itself as a title that explores new frontiers in the horror genre through its intelligent technical and artistic fusion. 🔧