Directive 8020 Walkthrough
A full Directive 8020 walkthrough with episode steps, key choices, puzzle notes, stealth risks, Turning Points recovery tips and spoiler-controlled route guidance.
Quick Answer: Directive 8020 Full Walkthrough
Is this a complete Directive 8020 walkthrough?
Yes. This single page covers the episode-by-episode flow, choices, puzzles, and death risks. Unverified branches are clearly marked with [Needs Retest].
Can I use this for my first playthrough?
Yes. Stick to the "Quick Objective Summary" lists to remain spoiler-light. Avoid reading the "Death Risk" tables until you complete a chapter.
Does it include puzzle solutions?
Yes. (e.g., The Episode 5 Medical Cabinet code is 168).
Does it guarantee saving everyone?
We flag critical survival risks (like enforcing Bioscanner checks to detect the Mimic threat). See the Save Everyone route for strict 100% survival tracking.
Explorer or Survivor mode?
Use Explorer Mode if following this guide. Survivor Mode permanently disables the Turning Points rewind system, making route correction impossible.
How to Use This Walkthrough Without Spoiling Your First Run
Directive 8020 is a reactive sci-fi survival horror game. Reading a directive 8020 full walkthrough from top to bottom will expose impostor identities and character deaths.
For Blind Runs
Read only the Quick Objective Summary and Puzzle / Objective Help per episode. Stop scrolling when you see the ⚠️ Stealth / QTE / Death Risk table.
For Cleanup/Trophy Runs
Use the Turning Points logic notes at the bottom of each episode block to identify where to rewind for missed collectibles or alternative dialogue branches.
Before You Start — Explorer, Survivor and Turning Points
Your difficulty selection fundamentally changes how you use a directive 8020 chapter guide
| Setting | Mechanics Impact | Walkthrough Usage | Evidence Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer Mode | Turning Points menu is active. You can rewind the story tree to pivotal moments. | Recommended. If you fail a Parry or miss a clue, you can rewind and fix it. | Official Confirmed |
| Survivor Mode | Turning Points are disabled. The story tree is hidden. Choices are locked. | Hardcore only. Do not attempt a 100% completionist run here on your first try. | Official Confirmed |
| Movie Night | Assigns 1-5 characters to local players (Couch Co-op). | Walkthrough steps apply identically for local Movie Night. Online Movie Night remains a post-launch status item. | Official Confirmed |
Full Directive 8020 Episode Walkthrough at a Glance
| Episode | Primary Focus | Spoiler Level | Evidence Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1: Little Star | Prologue, Deck 2 Breach | Light | Video-Informed |
| 2: Best Laid Plans | Cast separation, Bioscanner Intro | Light | Video-Informed |
| 3: Midgame Stealth Segment | Ventilation stealth, Parry mechanic | Major | Needs Retest |
| 4: Navigation and Trust Tests | Navigation, initial trust tests | Major | Needs Retest |
| 5: Chemical Agents | Sedative puzzle, Medical wing | Major | Route-Informed |
| 6: Mimic Infiltration Segment | Mimic infiltration, critical choices | Full | Community-Tested |
| 7: Escape Preparation Segment | High death risk, escape prep | Full | Needs Retest |
| Final Episode | Endings, Eisele's Destiny lock | Full | Route-Informed |
Episode 1 Walkthrough — Little Star / Opening Route
Quick Objective Summary
- Investigate the hull breach on Deck 2 of the Cassiopeia.
- Consult the Oracle system regarding the damage.
- Complete the manual airlock override.
Step-by-step Walkthrough
- Assume control of Carter alongside Pari Simms.
- Navigate through the damaged corridor toward Deck 2. Complete the initial movement tutorials.
- Inspect the structural damage. You will be prompted to consult the Oracle AI.
- Proceed to the airlock door terminal. Input the crew login override to progress into the next sector.
- Complete the first set of foundational QTEs as the structural integrity fails.
Key Choices in This Episode
| Moment | Options | Recommended | Immediate Risk | Long-term Impact | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hull Breach Assessment | Consult Oracle vs. Manual Fix | Consult Oracle | None | Affects early dialogue | Video-Informed |
Stealth / QTE / Death Risk
| Risk Point | What Can Go Wrong | How to Avoid | Turning Points? | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airlock QTEs | Failing button prompts causes injury to Simms. | Follow standard on-screen prompts. | Yes | Verified |
Episode 2 Walkthrough — Best Laid Plans
Quick Objective Summary
- Regroup with the separated crew members (Brianna Young, Cooper, Stafford).
- Locate the primary communication relay.
- Execute the first Bioscanner test.
Step-by-step Walkthrough
- Control shifts to Brianna Young. Move through the lower decks.
- Inspect the abandoned crew quarters for the first set of Clues and Heirlooms (Deluxe Edition).
- Meet up with an isolated crew member.
- You will receive a prompt to use the Bioscanner. Always perform this scan.
- Navigate the first low-light exploration sequence. Keep your flashlight steady to spot environmental hazards.
Stealth / QTE / Death Risk
| Risk Point | What Can Go Wrong | How to Avoid | Turning Points? | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bioscanner Prompt | Bypassing the scan allows an unknown entity access. | 💡 Always scan. | Yes | Video-Informed |
Episode 3 Walkthrough — [Title Pending Verification]
Quick Objective Summary
- Navigate the ventilation shafts.
- Survive the first real-time stealth encounter.
Step-by-step Walkthrough
- Move crouched through the ventilation system.
- When the alien threat appears, you will be introduced to the real-time Parry mechanic using the stun baton.
- Timing is strict (~0.5-second window). Do not run; crouch-walk to minimize audio cues.
Stealth / QTE / Death Risk
| Risk Point | What Can Go Wrong | How to Avoid | Turning Points? | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stun Baton Parry | Missing the parry during an ambush. | Learn the 30-second cooldown rhythm of the baton. | Yes | Community-Tested |
Episode 5 Walkthrough — Chemical Agents / Medical Route
Quick Objective Summary
- Explore the Medical Bay.
- Solve the Sedative / Chemical Agents puzzle.
Step-by-step Walkthrough
- (Note: This route may only trigger depending on Cooper's personality/destiny branch).
- Search the Medical Bay for three missing chemical agent vials.
- Locate the locked medical supply cabinet.
- Input the code to retrieve the heavy sedatives.
Puzzle / Objective Help
| Puzzle or Objective | Solution / Hint | Condition | Evidence Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Cabinet Code | The code is 168. | Triggers if the Cooper/Anders medical route is active. | Route-Informed |
Final Episode Walkthrough — Ending Route Notes
Quick Objective Summary
- Determine Eisele's final Destiny (Humanitarian vs. Scientist).
- Evacuate the Cassiopeia or neutralize the threat on Tau Ceti f.
Step-by-step Walkthrough
- Your ending is calculated by the surviving crew count and the infection level of the escape vessel.
- The final monologue is dictated by your dialogue choices throughout the game.
- If you have chosen compassionate, crew-first options, Eisele will trigger the Humanitarian branch.
- Complete the final barrage of QTEs to escape.
Critical Choices Table
Use this directive 8020 choices walkthrough matrix to understand immediate risks
| Choice Moment | Options | Immediate Risk | Long-Term Impact Status | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ep 1: Deck 2 Breach | Consult Oracle / Manual | None | Minor dialogue shift | Verified |
| Ep 2: Reunion | Scan NPC / Open Door | Lethal | High (Mimic Infiltration) | Community-Tested |
| Ep 5: Medical Bay | Use Sedative / Fight | Medium | Alters Cooper's Destiny | Route-Informed |
Puzzle Solutions and Objective Help
Stuck on a specific section of the directive 8020 episode walkthrough?
| Puzzle Location | Objective / Solution | Evidence Status |
|---|---|---|
| Episode 1: Airlock | Follow sequential UI prompts to manually override. | Verified |
| Episode 5: Med Bay | Code to the Chemical Cabinet: 168 | Route-Informed |
| (More pending...) | Editor testing queue active | Pending |
Stealth, QTE and Death Risk Notes
Unlike The Devil in Me, characters in Directive 8020 can die dynamically during real-time exploration
| Mechanic | Risk Profile | Prevention Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| The Bioscanner | Critical. Alien Mimics perfectly replicate human crew. | Never trust a separated crew member. Always demand a scan before opening airlocks. |
| Stun Baton Parry | High. Missing the parry results in injury or death. | The baton has a ~30-second cooldown. Do not sprint through hostile areas if your baton is uncharged. |
| QTEs | Medium. Standard button prompts. | Can be customized in Accessibility options if you are struggling. |
Turning Points Recovery Guide Inside the Walkthrough
If you make a fatal mistake, you do not have to restart the game
- Pause the game and open the Turning Points menu.
- Look at the story tree and locate the nearest
[Pivotal Moment]prior to your mistake (e.g., before you failed to scan an NPC). - Select Revert.
- Warning: You must play out the remainder of the timeline from that point. You cannot change a choice and then fast-forward back to the present.
Collectibles, Trophies and Completionist Notes by Episode
To grab the Platinum trophy without wasting time, follow these rules
Do not play Survivor Mode
You cannot use Turning Points to go back and pick up missed logs or Heirlooms.
Deluxe Edition Heirlooms
The 'Dark Pictures Heirloom Retrieval' items are exclusive to the Deluxe Edition and typically do not block the base game's Platinum.
Episode-specific collectible locations
Will be populated here upon full site verification. See the Trophy Roadmap for updates.
Common Mistakes and Route Retest Notes
We monitor our own playthroughs and community feedback to build this retrospective
Mistake 1: Treating Movie Night like Shared Story
The game has no 2-player simultaneous online co-op at launch. Do not follow old community guides that claim "Player 2 must do X to save Player 1."
Mistake 2: Ignoring the Eisele Trait System
Saving everyone physically does not guarantee the best emotional ending if you pick cold, "Scientist" dialogue choices.
Mistake 3: Blindly trusting early wikis
Many AI-generated sites list 100-hour walkthroughs with fake puzzle codes. Always check the Evidence Status on our tables.
Evidence Log and Update History
Verified Episode 1 opening sequence, characters (Carter/Simms), and Oracle choice via official PlayStation prologue capture. Added Episode 5 chemical puzzle code (168) via PC Gamer review data.
Page initialized. Walkthrough framework built. Official modes (Explorer/Survivor) and mechanics (Turning Points, Parry) logged.
Official preview builds, early YouTube No-Commentary runs, Subreddit launch-day pain points.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a complete Directive 8020 walkthrough?
Yes. It serves as a single-page master document covering episode steps, puzzles, and choices. Segments awaiting rigorous editor testing are explicitly tagged as [Needs Retest].
Can I follow this walkthrough on my first playthrough?
Yes. Use our spoiler-light summaries to navigate objectives. Avoid expanding the critical choices or death risk tables until after you clear the respective episode.
Which mode should I choose before following the walkthrough?
Select Explorer Mode. It allows you to use the Turning Points system to rewind the story if you make a mistake listed in this walkthrough. Survivor Mode permanently locks in your choices.
Are directive 8020 puzzle solutions included?
Yes, all known puzzle answers (such as the Episode 5 cabinet code) are listed in the Puzzle Help tables.
What should I do if I made a bad choice?
If playing on Explorer mode, pause and use the Turning Points menu to rewind to the previous pivotal moment.