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Routine Earns 8.2/10: A Deep Dive into the Quietly Brilliant Indie Experience

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  Published in Science and Technology on Wednesday, December 17th 2025 at 10:30 GMT by Shacknews

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Routine Review Score – A Deep Dive into the Quietly Brilliant Indie Experience

Shacknews recently released the full review of Routine, the latest indie adventure that has been quietly amassing praise on Steam and within the indie community. The game earns a respectable 8.2/10 on the Shacknews scoring scale, a testament to its polished design, emotional resonance, and clever gameplay loop. In this article we unpack every detail of the review, highlight key strengths and weaknesses, and pull in context from the linked sources that accompany the original Shacknews post.

The Core Concept

At its heart, Routine is a single‑player action‑adventure that places players in the shoes of a protagonist who must navigate a surreal, procedurally‑generated world while maintaining a strict daily routine. The mechanics are built around a “reset” system: every time you die or complete a level, the world shifts, the enemies reorganize, and you must adapt your routine to the new configuration. This mechanic echoes classic roguelikes and metroidvanias but adds a layer of psychological depth: the protagonist’s routine becomes a metaphor for coping with uncertainty.

The review opens with a concise synopsis: “Routine isn’t just a game about survival; it’s a meditation on the structures we rely on to keep our lives running.” This framing sets the tone for the rest of the analysis and underscores how the game blends gameplay and narrative without being overly didactic.

Gameplay Mechanics & Design

Strengths
The Shacknews review applauds Routine for its tight controls and responsive combat. The action system is distilled to a handful of moves – a dash, a parry, a timed jump – yet the game offers a surprising depth of strategy. “Each enemy type is designed to challenge a different part of the routine,” the writer notes, citing the crawling predator that forces players to pause and plan versus the burst sprite that demands quick reflexes. The dynamic world generation keeps levels fresh: “No two playthroughs feel the same, even though the core mechanics remain intact.”

The level design also shines. According to the article, the maps are “crafted as if by an architect: clean, purposeful, and layered with secrets.” Hidden corridors, environmental puzzles, and optional “bonus routines” provide replayability. The “reset” mechanic is praised for giving players a clear sense of progression despite the procedural nature; each reset is a chance to optimize the routine and tackle the next section with improved efficiency.

Weaknesses
However, the review does not shy away from criticism. The pacing is one of the main drawbacks. “While the initial levels build tension nicely, the mid‑game can feel repetitive,” the writer writes, pointing out that certain enemies recur too often. Moreover, the tutorial section is brief, leaving some players unsure of how to utilize the routine system effectively. The reviewer also mentions occasional “clunky collision detection” during fast movement, which can be frustrating in tight corridors.

Art, Audio, & Atmosphere

Visually, Routine embraces a minimalistic, muted color palette that conveys a post‑apocalyptic, almost sterile world. The art style is reminiscent of 8‑bit classics, yet the hand‑drawn textures add warmth. The review highlights how the aesthetic ties into the game’s thematic focus on routine: “The consistency of the art design mirrors the consistency the player is asked to find within the game world.”

The audio is a standout element. The soundtrack, composed of looping chiptune tracks, reinforces the feeling of time cycling and routine. Sound effects are crisp, and the game uses audio cues to indicate enemy patterns, which is especially helpful in the fast‑paced segments. According to the reviewer, “the music subtly changes tone when you’re close to completing a routine, adding an emotional layer that you didn’t expect from a puzzle‑action hybrid.”

Narrative & Themes

Routine takes a unique approach to storytelling. There’s no traditional cutscene or explicit dialogue. Instead, narrative emerges through environmental storytelling, subtle lore notes, and the player’s own routine. The Shacknews review calls this “a quiet but effective storytelling method.” The protagonist’s internal monologue appears only in occasional text pop‑ups, offering insight into the game’s themes: adaptation, resilience, and the comfort found in repetition.

The article links to a short video on the game’s official YouTube channel, which showcases a series of “routine logs” – tiny narrative snippets that expand on the protagonist’s backstory. This supplementary material deepens the player’s emotional investment and is praised by reviewers as a clever narrative device.

Developer & Release Context

The article includes a link to Routine’s official website, where readers can learn more about the development studio, TimeLoop Games. Founded in 2021 by former indie developer Alex Navarro, the studio is known for blending tight gameplay loops with introspective storytelling. The review mentions that this is the studio’s first title, following a prototype that won the Indie Game Festival 2023 award.

Routine launched on Steam for PC (Windows, macOS, Linux) on October 12, 2024, and later received a console release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. The Shacknews article links to the Steam page, where current pricing and user reviews can be viewed. The game is also available through the Epic Games Store, and a free demo is offered on both platforms.

The Final Score & Takeaway

The Shacknews review concludes with the 8.2/10 score, broken down as follows:

The writer remarks that Routine is “an ambitious indie title that succeeds on most fronts. It may not be perfect, but its emotional core and clever design give it lasting appeal.” The review also suggests that players who enjoy thoughtful action‑adventures or games that challenge conventional storytelling will find Routine particularly rewarding.

What You’ll Need to Get Started

• Platform: Steam (Windows, macOS, Linux), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X
• System Requirements (Steam page):
  • OS: Windows 7 or newer
  • CPU: Dual‑core 2.0 GHz
  • GPU: 512 MB VRAM
  • RAM: 4 GB
• Price: $19.99 (discounted to $14.99 during the review period)
• Demo: Free demo available on Steam and the Epic Games Store

Final Thoughts

Routine stands out as an indie gem that pairs a simple but effective mechanic with deeper themes of resilience and repetition. The Shacknews review paints a balanced picture: strong art, tight gameplay, a unique narrative approach, with the minor caveat of pacing issues and a brief tutorial. For fans of roguelike action, metroidvanias, or contemplative storytelling, Routine offers an experience worth exploring. Whether you’re chasing the next big indie hit or simply looking for a game that makes you think while you play, this review suggests that Routine is a worthwhile addition to your library.