The Medium

The game wasn't great.
The game wasn't bad.
It was medium.
It's like Eternal Darkness meets Silent hill.
I really enjoyed this game. I liked the whole concept of being able to play the spirit and real world simultaneously and having what you do in one affect the other. The story was well done and I liked that they included some Polish history and some pretty dark themes and issues. This is a game CLEARLY made with passion and love. I really liked the narrative-cinematic experience. I LOVE the linearity of this game that makes you go from area to area but with a few elements of exploration that enrich the lore (even if many times, especially at the beginning, it can be quite vague). The fixed camera angles but with the camera following you in every area is outstanding in my opinion. It gives a very impressive cinematic vibe while also adding a special kind of spooky atmosphere, which is also enriched by the world itself. The environments are beautiful. Both the material world AND the spirit world are incredible in terms of art-style and they are awesome to walk around.
It's more of a walking simulator than a horror game. The whole niwa resort gave me the heeby geebys. Sound, music, and, acting were all great. Honestly I thought the forest environments were some of the most realistic looking forest l've seen in a game. It felt authentic and genuine compared to games that use repetitive assets. And I can’t stress enough how the implementation of the protagonist's "split" is so rad. Seriously, the way you simultaneously interact with the two different worlds is refreshingly unique. One of the coolest aspects of the dual screen can be found during cutscenes: you'll see the same scene play out from different angles, with differing emphasis on the environmental details and characters within each screen. Freaking brilliant.
Finally, the lack of combat made it even better for me, because I had been having combat fatigue in videogames but I still wanted a linear narrative experience. And oh boy, this game is totally giving me that! It's also worth mentioning that, in my opinion, it's not a particularly scary game. It is dark and has a creepy atmosphere but this game is not for the scares. It's for the narrative. I dare say it's even chilling! I've been enjoying it after my hard days of work. I can see why some would think it's slow though, or doesn't have enough gameplay, but I thought it was just an enjoyable ride. One of my favorite rides at that.
I enjoyed it a fair bit, it wasn't the greatest game I've ever played but it had an interesting story and a great atmosphere. Part of the issue some people had with it seemed to be that it was marketed as a horror game, but ended up not really being all that scary. It felt more like a thriller. Some people also found some parts of the story as offensive but as a victim of sexual abuse myself I was not offended, I can tell you that not every story has a happy ending and that Eastern European cultures tell stories with a more morose style. Go read some Polish fiction/non fiction… you’ll soon realize not every culture will tell a story the way you like but it’s good to be exposed to different styles of writing and media whether you love it or don’t. Are there some weird story elements? A bit but you have to understand how Poland looks at mental health. I feel like I'm rambling about the same things but people need to understand how this game is really impressive for an indie game honestly and is the game that got them the ability to make the Silent Hill 2 remake.
Overall, this game is incredibly worth it. Amazing concept, wonderful cinematic vibe, terrific art style, good narrative, with room for improvement in different areas but not necessarily making it a "bad game" at all. I also feel like this game balances somethings that a lot of indie horror games don't. At least games that take influence from Silent Hill, a good story, good graphics and not getting so boring that your mind melts. We need more games like this that borrow inspiration from the old school horror titles.
8/10

I have to admit the first time I tried this game I discovered it was 3rd person but with a cinematic fixed camera rather than behind the back with free mouse look and I immediately closed it and uninstalled, as I really do not like this POV in games and I find not being able to free look very frustrating.

However recently I have gotten bored of shooting and general combat in games and started to want more story based experiences, so I decided to give this game another try and damn am I glad I did.
Okay so the 3rd person cinematic fixed camera perspective is still something I dislike and this game really is better with a controller, when I definitely prefer mouse and keyboard. However within minutes I was engrossed and I have to say that while not perfect, I actually loved this game overall.
To be clear though, this game is not for everyone and if you're only into fast paced combat or you're an edgy PVP kid, you are going to HATE this game. However if you are interested in an immersive psychological thriller based on spiritual themes then I think you will appreciate this game, I know I did and I really wasn't expecting to even finish this one.
Firstly the environments are stunning and very immersive, despite the awkward fixed camera POV. The voice acting is brilliant, with the very talented Troy Baker providing his services for the main enemy you will encounter at various points and he does a typically amazing job here. I especially like how the real and spiritual worlds overlap and how game play revolves cleverly around negotiating obstacles and opening up paths by crossing between the real and spiritual realms. These sections are often broken up by split screen like you used to see in console games long ago and it really does create a unique perspective of both worlds that I found really impressive.
The negatives? The game stutters quite a lot in DX12 mode and I found when Ray Tracing was at max settings, the FPS dropped to a slide show when I looked at certain clues, this could only be resolved by using medium settings for RT and ultimately I think most people will prefer DX11 mode as it runs a lot better, still looks great and most of the stuttering problems go away. I also had an annoying issue where every time I reloaded or started the game, I had no sound until I went into the settings and clicked on the sounds tab - nothing I tried fixed this.
However minor technical annoyances aside, I think they have done a fantastic job of creating a truly memorable and eerie world with this game, they also managed to not have any irritating characters either! Something that is actually all too common today for some reason...
Oh and achievement hunters will be happy to hear you can get 100% achievements on a single play through, just be aware there are a couple of areas where you cannot get caught/seen even once and you will have to reload rather than choose to continue, otherwise you will fail the achievement. This is a slow paced game and taking your time is essential too, otherwise if you trigger a cutscene that progresses some parts of the story, some collectables become inaccessible.
Overall I am so happy I gave this game another chance and I feel this game probably did not get the recognition and success it deserves as it really is a great experience. If you are on the fence I would suggest watching some game play videos on YouTube to see if you like how it plays. However if you are into this type of game, I very highly recommend this game and for me personally this is one of the more memorable games I have played in the last few years.

The Medium is truly a mixed bag -- an experience of highs & lows. It has some innovative ideas, like the dual reality system, & an interesting narrative. And, the studio is punching well above their weight in terms of graphical fidelity.
However, the game is bogged down by persistent performance issues, big quality jumps between chapters, & middling gameplay. The game is more or less akin to a walking simulator w/ some light puzzling. It is reminiscent of Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice.
Overall, I would recommend the game on a sale if you can stomach the walking simulator adjacent gameplay. More I liked than disliked here but definitely mixed as a whole.

*The Medium* is a true gem in the modern horror genre, crafted by the incredibly talented team at Bloober Team. From the very beginning, the game immerses you in a dark and mysterious atmosphere where the worlds of the living and the dead intertwine, creating a unique and captivating gameplay experience. If you’re looking for a game that not only frightens but also makes you think and dive into deep psychological exploration, *The Medium* is exactly what you need.
The game’s core mechanic, the dual-reality system, is masterfully executed. You play as Marianne, a medium who can navigate both the physical world and the spirit world simultaneously. This mechanic isn’t just a gimmick—it’s integral to solving puzzles, interacting with environments, and unraveling the haunting narrative. The constant shifting between these two realms feels seamless, adding an extra layer of tension and immersion that keeps you on edge throughout the entire playthrough.
However, what truly elevates *The Medium* beyond its gameplay is its stunning atmosphere and sound design. The game's visuals, inspired by the works of Polish surrealist artist Zdzisław Beksiński, are haunting and otherworldly, perfectly capturing the unsettling tone of the story. Each environment, whether in the real world or the eerie spirit world, is rich with detail, contributing to the sense of dread and wonder.
And now, let’s talk about one of the game's most outstanding elements—the music. *The Medium* features an incredible soundtrack composed by Arkadiusz Reikowski and the legendary Akira Yamaoka, best known for his work on *Silent Hill*. The haunting melodies and ambient soundscapes do more than just accompany the game—they elevate the emotional and psychological impact of the story. Each track feels meticulously crafted to evoke a range of emotions, from sorrow and despair to dread and unease.
Adding to the magic of the soundtrack is the unforgettable voice of Mary Elizabeth McGlynn, who has long been a collaborator with Yamaoka. Her haunting vocals add a deeply emotional and nostalgic layer to the game’s atmosphere, especially for fans of *Silent Hill*. The combination of Yamaoka’s eerie compositions and McGlynn’s soulful voice is nothing short of breathtaking. Their collaboration is one of the highlights of the game, drawing players deeper into its twisted world and echoing long after the credits roll.
The narrative of *The Medium* is rich with themes of trauma, loss, and guilt, touching on heavy subjects while maintaining a balance of mystery and horror. The twists and turns of the story are masterfully paced, keeping players engaged as they piece together the disturbing truth behind the events unfolding in both worlds. Marianne’s journey is one filled with emotional depth, and by the end, you feel a real connection to her struggles and the haunting revelations she uncovers.
Of course, no game is perfect. While *The Medium* does many things incredibly well, it’s worth noting that the gameplay might feel a bit slow for some players. The focus here is on exploration and atmosphere, rather than fast-paced action. But for fans of psychological horror and narrative-driven experiences, this pacing is a strength rather than a weakness.
In conclusion, *The Medium* is a masterclass in psychological horror, blending an engaging story with innovative gameplay mechanics and a soundtrack that stands as one of the best in recent memory. Akira Yamaoka and Mary Elizabeth McGlynn’s contributions elevate the game to new heights, offering a deeply emotional and chilling auditory experience. The team at Bloober Team deserves immense praise for their work, as they’ve created a game that is both terrifying and thought-provoking. It’s clear that *The Medium* is a love letter to fans of the genre, and it firmly establishes Bloober Team as one of the top developers in horror today.
Bravo to the entire team—you've crafted something truly special!

I really loved playing this game.

At first, I hoped it would be a crazy horror game. If you’re searching for that, this game is not the right choice for you. However, both story-wise and gameplay-wise, I would highly suggest this game to everyone, no matter what genre you like.

Thank you for that amazing experience!

One of the best horror games that I have played in the recent period The story is very wonderful in every sense of the word I loved the story very much, and the graphics are also wonderful It is somewhat similar to Silent Hill , I did not like the split-screen theme and I would have liked to play on one screen without separating the screen, but as a whole The game is great, waiting for the next part.

Had this on my wishlist for a while and finally decided to buy it. I'd forgotten it was made my Bloober Team until their logo popped up when i launched the game. This of course made me really want to play it and I must say it didn't disappoint. The horror genre of games is one I enjoy immensely and The Medium truly lived up to that standard. It's gripping storyline and creepy atmosphere pull you in and don't let you go until the very end. I was both surprised and enjoyed the use of the old style fixed camera angles older horror games once used. There's still something to be said for designing a game this way in my opinion. I've heard that if Bloober Team can find an excuse to make a sequel they will and I for one would be up for that. Truly a 10/10 game.