Directive 8020 Complete Guide: 100% Achievements and All Puzzles

Last Updated on 22 May, 2026

Survival in Directive 8020 requires more than just quick reflexes. You need strategy, foresight, and a complete understanding of the choices laid out before you. We have meticulously compiled this guide to assist you in solving every puzzle, securing every secret, and unlocking all 100% of the achievements. Whether you want to save the entire crew or watch the standoff spiral into a complete disaster, this walkthrough provides the exact steps you need. Get ready to master the game mechanics, decode complex orbital scanners, and guide your crew through the darkest corners of the cosmos.

SPOILER WARNING: This guide contains heavy spoilers for the story, character deaths, and major plot choices in Directive 8020. Proceed with caution if you wish to experience the narrative blindly!

Table of Contents

• 1. Essential Puzzle Solutions
• 2. Game Mechanics: Turning Points
• 3. Gamemode and Survival Achievements
• 4. Death and Destruction Achievements
• 5. Character Destiny Achievements
• 6. Messages to the Andromeda
• 7. Secrets and Collectibles
• 8. Story and Miscellaneous Achievements
• 9. The Williams Arc Achievements
• 10. Conclusion

1. Essential Puzzle Solutions

During your playthrough, the game will test your wits with environmental puzzles. You must solve these quickly to progress the story and keep your crew safe. Below, we outline the exact solutions for the three major puzzles you will encounter.

The Chemical Cabinet Puzzle

In Episode 5 of Directive 8020, you face a critical task. You need to unlock a chemical cabinet to retrieve the specific ingredients Anders requires to create a sedative. The puzzle serves as a simple code match once you know exactly what to look for in the environment.

Follow these step-by-step instructions to crack the code:

1. Locate the panel: First, look on the left side of the chemical cabinet. You will find a panel displaying three distinct chemical formulas. These formulas act as the key to discovering the code.
2. Identify the chemicals: Read the panel carefully. It lists Chloroacetyl Chloride, Ammonia, and Dimethyl Sulfate.
3. Match the chemicals to the posters: Next, you must search the room. Look around the walls to find informational posters. These posters link each specific chemical to a corresponding number. You will discover that Chloroacetyl Chloride links to the number 1. Ammonia links to the number 6. Finally, Dimethyl Sulfate links to the number 8.
4. Form the code: You must put the numbers in the exact same order as the chemicals listed on the cabinet panel. This gives you the sequence of 1, 6, and 8.
5. Enter the code: Type 168 into the cabinet keypad. This action will unlock the door and release the chemicals you need for the sedative.

Carter’s PC Password

In the Sleuth mission of the game, Eisele investigates Carter’s room. During this investigation, you will encounter Carter’s personal computer. The system locks you out initially, demanding a specific passcode to access the vital data stored within. Many players spend upwards of half an hour searching for this solution, but you can solve it quickly by following these steps.

1. Locate the clue: Approach the computer monitor in Carter’s room and inspect the corner of the screen. You will spot the word “Luna’s” written there. This word serves as your primary hint, indicating that the passcode corresponds to a specific date.
2. Go to the Crew Quarters: Leave Carter’s room and head back to the central Crew Quarters area of the ship.
3. Find the calendar: Search the walls in the Crew Quarters for a calendar. Look specifically for a calendar that features a picture of a dog.
4. Check August 28th: Upon examining the calendar, locate the date of August 28th. Next to this date, you will read a note that explicitly says “Luna’s Birthday.”
5. Form the code: You must combine the day and the month to create a four-digit number. The day is the 28th, and August represents the 08th month. Therefore, you combine them to get 2808.
6. Enter the code: Input 2808 into Carter’s PC to unlock the machine and claim the data.

The Anomaly Log Number

In Episode 5, during the Mr. Williams chapter, the game tasks you with acquiring a four-digit Anomaly Log Number. You need this specific sequence to unlock the Orbital Scanner Data terminal located either in the Radio Silence or Bridge Ops areas.

1. Locate the terminal: If you are playing through the Radio Silence section, head up the stairs situated beside the main corridor. Once you reach the top, look to your left side to find the Orbital Scanner Data control panel. Alternatively, if you are in the Bridge Ops section, ascend the stairs clearly marked by a cyan sign. There, you will easily locate the wall terminal displaying the Orbital Scanner Data screen.
2. Find the cockpit clue: From the terminal’s location, follow the nearby corridor that leads directly into the cockpit. Once inside the cockpit, look to the left side right next to the chair. You will discover a note that provides the hint “CAIF”.
3. Understand the code: Understand that this code does not represent a direct number. Instead, the game presents you with an alphabet position puzzle. You must decode the letters based on their numerical placement in the standard alphabet.
4. Decode CAIF: The letter C is the third letter, giving you 3. The letter A is the first letter, giving you 1. The letter I is the ninth letter, giving you 9. The letter F is the sixth letter, giving you 6.
5. Form the code: Combine these individual values into a single string. Put the numbers together to get 3196.
6. Enter the code: Input 3196 into the terminal to complete the sequence.

Tip: Remember the optional Food Storage Code is 0402 for Episode 3, which you will need to quickly access specific areas during your puzzle-solving exploration.

2. Game Mechanics: Turning Points

The developers introduced a fantastic new mechanic for this installment that will make your achievement hunting endeavors significantly easier. The game features the new Turning Point system. This system allows you to pause the game at any moment and jump back to the last major decision. You can also rewind to any point leading up to a major decision by utilizing a flow chart style approach.

However, Directive 8020 allows for immediate rewinds directly in the pause menu. This convenience strongly encourages you to seek out quick changes and experiment with different dialogue options. You can use the Turning Points tab in the pause menu to change your path and instantly earn the “Thumb on the Last Page” achievement.

Tip: Access the Turning Points feature directly from your pause menu to immediately reverse a bad choice without having to completely reload your game or chapter.

3. Gamemode and Survival Achievements

Achieving a 100% completion rate requires you to master stealth, keep your crew alive, and tackle the hardest difficulty settings. Unless a specific achievement dictates otherwise, you should always aim to keep all characters alive. You do not need the Deluxe Edition to achieve 100% completion.

1. Live with the Consequences

You unlock this achievement upon completing the story in the Survivor Playstyle mode. This specific gamemode disables the Turning Points feature entirely. This means the game locks your choices in, and you cannot rewind or rechoose your decisions.

2. Not Today, Boss

You earn this achievement when Cernan escapes Williams without getting caught. At the start of Episode 3 in the “No Games” subchapter, you must avoid an alien disguised as Williams. You need to sneak around him and interact with the window lockdown panel. This action opens a new room. Climb through a couple of rooms until you can disable the control room lockdown. You must also unlock some vents to stealth away safely. If you manage to avoid him completely, you will unlock this achievement upon entering the control room door.

3. Always Wear a Seatbelt

You earn this when Stafford survives the crash. During the Episode 3 “Crash” segment, you must choose to remain seated during the landing sequence. Alternatively, if you played as Eisele in Episode 2 “Pursuit” and chose to reboot the landing computer, you can reboot the system here. However, if you failed to restart the landing computer in Episode 2, you must absolutely avoid the reboot option in Episode 3 to keep Stafford alive.

4. Organic Waste Disposal

You achieve this by burning the Duplicate in Waste Management. At the start of Episode 5 “Burn/Waste Management”, you must successfully escape as Eisele. Power up the burner and lure the Duplicate directly into the trap to incinerate them. If the achievement does not pop immediately, do not worry. The game will unlock it later in Chapter 6.

5. Humanitarian

You unlock this massive achievement by saving the whole crew. Unlike in previous games, you must keep EVERY single character alive, not just the five playable ones. The prologue characters will always die, but you should avoid letting Simms drift off into space. To succeed, you must play on the easiest difficulty, succeed all stealth encounters, and pass all QTEs. You can use accessibility features to make the QTEs trivial.

Here are the key choices you must make for the Humanitarian route:

1. Episode 2 (Little Faith): Choose to trust Anders.
2. Episode 5 (Suspicions): Sedate Williams.
3. Episode 5 (Under Pressure): Make it through with a combination that keeps Mitchell and Anders alive. Ideally, follow the “This Steak’s Raw” route.
4. Episode 6 (Point Blank): Do not shoot Williams.
5. Episode 6 (Scanner): Shoot Eisele, not the newcomer.
6. Episode 7 (Search Party): When Anders messages you to look for a cave with stalagmites, head right. Find the cave across a rock bridge. Do not search left.
7. Episode 8 (Second Chances): Order Williams to come with you.
8. Episode 8 (Snap Decision): Choose to help.
9. Episode 8 (Knock Knock): Let Mitchell in.

6. Human After All

You earn this when all crew members pass safely through the scanner. This achievement unlocks naturally on your route to the Humanitarian achievement. You must keep all crew members alive up to the Episode 6 “Scanner” section. Have them escape during their stealth sections up to this point. The newcomer Eisele will reveal herself as the real one, and you must shoot the other Eisele, who is the Duplicate.

7. Stealth 100

You unlock this by returning to Bridge Ops without losing any characters. In Episode 7, you must have every character successfully avoid any alien in all stealth and chase sections. You will face one section as Young and a combined stealth and chase sequence as Cernan. The achievement pops upon reaching the Bridge Ops area.

8. Home Free

You earn this by charting a course for Earth without any intruders on board. This achievement does not strictly require all crew members to live, but you can pair it with the Humanitarian run to save time. You must ensure no duplicates infiltrate the group and you must secure the ending where you fly back to Earth. Never get captured by an alien in stealth, and rescue the correct Anders on the planet surface in Episode 7. To get the Earth ending, you must send an SOS in Episode 6. Then, ensure Young follows the Loyal or Hero destiny pathway by Episode 8 “Why You Started”. Choose to wish for humanity first after getting this destiny and blowing out the candles. Young will reveal a working Cassiopeia in orbit. Once you fuel the SEV, you will arrive and head for Earth.

Tip: Utilize the game’s built-in accessibility features to make Quick Time Events completely trivial during your flawless Humanitarian playthrough.

4. Death and Destruction Achievements

Sometimes, everything must go wrong. The game rewards you for orchestrating spectacular failures and getting everyone killed.

1. Paint The Walls

You earn this by killing the whole crew. The easiest method involves using your saved Humanitarian save file. You only need to replay Episode 8 using Turning Points to eliminate everyone rapidly. Reload Episode 8 “Second Chances” and follow these exact steps:

1. Second Chances: Leave Williams behind.
2. Redirect: Intentionally get caught as Stafford.
3. Atrium: Intentionally get caught as Eisele.
4. Shoggoth: Intentionally get caught as Young.
5. Tentacle Flail: Fail all QTEs as Cooper.
6. Knock Knock: Abandon Mitchell.
7. Return of the Beast: Fail all QTEs as Cernan.
8. Grappled: The monster will blow up the SEV, killing Anders.

Executing this bloodbath will also unlock the “We Have Reserves” achievement naturally.

2. We Have Reserves

You unlock this in Episode 8 by sending a second team down to redirect the fuel. The first team must die while attempting to redirect the fuel, forcing the game to send a second team. You must have enough playable characters alive to trigger this event.

3. Total Party Kill

You unlock this highly specific achievement when the standoff at the scanner turns into a death spiral. You must order the characters into the Scanner with less than three playable characters left alive. Follow this precise route:

1. Episode 2 (Power Games): Choose to shutdown the fire control system. Get caught by Simms or ignore the screen she interacts with later.
2. Episode 3 (Crash): Have Stafford die by failing QTEs and failing to return to his chair in time.
3. Cooper’s Destiny: While playing as Cooper, raise the Professional trait to achieve the Medic destiny. This ensures the game kills Williams in Episode 5 naturally.
4. Stealth Failure: You must fail a stealth encounter. Choose to fail either Episode 3 “No Games” for Cernan or Episode 5 “Waste Management” for Eisele.
5. Episode 5 (Under Pressure): Save Anders and allow Mitchell to die.
6. Episode 5 (Backup): Choose to send either Cernan or Eisele to Hydroponics. If you failed Cernan’s stealth section, send him, and intentionally get caught in the “Close Encounter” scene in Episode 6. He will die after the “Split up” scene. Do the exact same with Eisele if you failed her sequence instead.
7. Episode 6 (Scanner): A duplicate Cernan or Eisele will show up. Choose to order both of them to the scanner. The mimic will instantly kill the real player. At this point, only Cooper, Young, and Anders remain. The duplicate will then slaughter the remaining crew members present, unlocking this pesky achievement.

Tip: Keep a safe backup of your completed Humanitarian save file so you can rapidly replay Episode 8 to easily secure the Paint The Walls achievement.

5. Character Destiny Achievements

These achievements unlock when you secure character destinies. The destinies work similarly to the traits systems found in previous Dark Picture titles. You unlock them by selecting specific dialogue and choices over the course of the game. Each character possesses two distinct traits linked to their destinies. You do not need to max the progress bars perfectly; you just need the required trait to be the highest of the two by certain key turning points.

Personality Manifest

You unlock a single Character Destiny to earn this. This naturally unlocks in the first Episode during the space walk. Regardless of your choices, you will achieve one of Carter’s destinies early on.

All Possible Futures

You must unlock all Character Destinies to earn this completionist achievement. Manage the following traits for each character:

Character Destiny Trait 1 Destiny Trait 2 Turning Point Location

Tomas Carter Decisive (Pick Worry & Confide) Cautious (Pick Wish & Compliment) Episode 1, Heart-to-Heart

Brianna Young Serious Loyal Episode 8, Why You Started

Nolan Stafford Supportive Resolute Episode 6, The Crown Falls

Laura Eisele Rational Sympathetic Episode 8, Aegis

Samantha Cooper Professional Playful Episode 5, Suspicions

Josef Cernan Focused Philosophical Episode 8, Explanations

For Cernan, you simply need him to survive until the start of Episode 8. The game will lock in whichever trait sits higher at that specific moment.

Tip: Remember that you can acquire negative scores towards trait bars, so you only need the required trait to sit higher than the alternative rather than maxing it out completely.

6. Messages to the Andromeda

These achievements tie directly to the message Brianna Young chooses to send back to the Andromeda during Episode 7. You set the prerequisite choice in Episode 6.

1. This is Not a Place of Honor

You earn this when Young sends a warning to the Andromeda. In Episode 6 “Directive 8020”, you must choose the dialogue option to warn the Andromeda. The achievement will pop later during Episode 7.

2. Message in a Bottle

You earn this when Young sends an SOS to the Andromeda. In Episode 6 “Directive 8020”, you must choose to send an SOS. The achievement will unlock as you progress through Episode 7.

Tip: Make your crucial communication choice during Episode 6, but understand that the corresponding achievement will not actually unlock until you progress into Episode 7.

7. Secrets and Collectibles

Exploration rewards you heavily in this game. You will find Secrets and Simms’ Recordings hidden throughout the environment. Use the Turning Points flow chart to check which collectibles remain available in each episode.

1. No Stone Left Unturned

You must find all 50 Secrets in the game to unlock this. The game splits these collectibles into distinct categories:

1. Cassiopeia: 6 Secrets
2. Cetus Mission: 10 Secrets
3. Sleep Crew: 8 Secrets
4. O Death: 5 Secrets
5. Conspiracy: 12 Secrets
6. Science Crew: 5 Secrets
7. Dark Future: 3 Secrets
8. Flight Crew: 6 Secrets

Keep in mind that you need the Food Storage Code (0402) in Episode 3 and the Anomaly Code (3196) in Episode 5 to access certain secret locations.

2. Dear Mum

You earn this by finding all of Simms’ recordings. The game scatters exactly 10 video logs recorded by the prologue character Simms. Track your progress easily using the Turning Points menu.

3. O Death

You earn this by finding all of the Curator’s Secrets. To initiate this hunt, you must first find the initial O Death secret in Episode 8 “The Way Back” or finish Episode 8 entirely. After doing so, use Turning Points to sweep back through the episodes. You will have to pass through multiple environmental puzzles to find the first item, known as the Obol.

Tip: Always rely on the Turning Points flow chart to identify exactly which sub-chapters hold the missing collectibles you need for your completion run.

8. Story and Miscellaneous Achievements

1. Wake-up Crew and 2. Cycle Complete

You earn these unmissable achievements simply by playing the game. You get “Wake-up Crew” for finishing Episode 1, and you earn “Cycle Complete” upon finishing all 8 episodes.

3. Lost and Found

You unlock this by finding Carter’s Utility Strap. In Episode 3 “Search”, wait until you pass the second battery door towards the end of the section. You will hear a distinct beeping sound. Explore the area straight ahead through a tight squeeze to find the strap. Do not progress through the locked elevator door or you will miss it entirely. It does not matter whether Carter gets caught or escapes in Episode 1; it does not affect this achievement.

4. Right to Bear Arms

You achieve this by approving the use of the gun. In Episode 1, you must successfully escape the alien Simms while playing as Carter. In Episode 3, you must find the Utility Strap as detailed above. Finally, in Episode 4 “Loaded Question”, you must pick the dialogue option to authorize the use of the gun while playing as Eisele.

5. This Steak’s Raw

You earn this when Mitchell and Anders survive the experiment unharmed. In Episode 2 “Power Games”, choose to disable the landing computer instead of the fire suppressant system. In Episode 2 “Pursuit”, re-enable the fire control system after the duplicate Simms deactivates it. Finally, in Episode 5 “Under Pressure”, choose to save Anders and succeed in opening the door. Anders remains unhurt, and the active fire suppressant system saves Mitchell.

6. Social Butterfly

You unlock this by messaging every single crew member. You possess an inbuilt messaging communicator. Access it during exploration sections by pressing ‘M’ on a keyboard, ‘Y’ on an Xbox controller, or ‘Triangle’ on a PlayStation controller. Message each member at least once. You must message Carter before the end of Episode 2. Your earliest opportunity to unlock the full achievement occurs during Episode 6.

7. NDA Breaker

You earn this by exposing the truth about the clone program. Have Young follow the Hero destiny path. In Episode 8, wish for Humanity first. Young will leak the clone program information back on Earth and appear in handcuffs during the ending cinematic. During the pre-launch flashbacks, try picking Resist in Episode 6, Lament in Episode 7, and Question in Episode 8 to guarantee this outcome.

Tip: Open your messaging communicator frequently during exploration sections to guarantee you contact Carter before his specific cutoff point at the end of Episode 2.

9. The Williams Arc Achievements

These four specific achievements branch from the same core decision node. You must string these choices together flawlessly.

1. Is This Decaf?

You earn this by sedating Williams. In Episode 2 “Little Faith”, you must trust Anders. While playing as Cooper, do not level up the Professional trait. Instead, maximize the Playful trait. In Episode 5 “Suspicions”, agree with the plan to sedate Williams and synthesize the diazepam using the code 168. Anders will sedate Williams, unlocking the achievement.

2. Password1

You earn this when Anders hacks into Williams’ computer. Ensure Anders survives the experiment unharmed in Episode 5 “Under Pressure” by choosing to save her. Later, she will hack the computer and trigger this achievement.

3. Suspect Acquitted

You earn this when Williams is identified as human. Following the exact steps above, reach Episode 6 “Point Blank” and choose not to shoot him. If you messed up the previous steps, a duplicate Williams might stand before you instead.

4. Cat’s Out the Bag

You earn this by persuading Williams to reveal the truth about the mission. Continue keeping characters alive until Episode 7 “Truth”. Succeed in all stealth sections. You must also rescue the real Anders in Episode 7 “Search Party” rather than the duplicate. The achievement unlocks right after the conversation.

Tip: Avoid leveling up Cooper’s Professional trait entirely during Episode 2 and focus solely on maximizing her Playful trait to guarantee the sedation sequence works properly.

Conclusion

Navigating the treacherous narrative web of Directive 8020 demands patience and precision. By strictly following this guide, managing your Turning Points, and keeping a close eye on your character destinies, you will conquer every challenge the game throws your way. Do not let the pressure of the cosmos break your resolve. We hope this complete breakdown serves you well on your journey to total completion. Please leave any feedback or personal strategies in the comments section below to help your fellow achievement hunters!

Did You Know? The colony ship Cassiopeia is on a voyage to an exoplanet called Tau Ceti f. This is a real planet located about 12 light-years from Earth. It orbits within the habitable zone of its star and is considered by real-world astronomers as a genuine candidate for supporting life, making it a fitting destination for a dying Earth.