The Medium is a psychological horror game that has taken the gaming world by storm. With its immersive gameplay and chilling scares, it’s no wonder so many people are drawn to it. It’s a horror game that relies more on atmosphere and story than the typical jump scares. 

This dual-reality horror video game was developed and published by Bloober Team. The game was released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series S and X in 2021 and Amazon Luna in 2022.

A Good Kind of Different

This horror game is unlike any other I’ve played. It’s not just the story or the gameplay that’s different, but the entire experience. You’re in control of both your character and a spirit guide in this game. You can see what your character sees and manipulate objects around you, but you can’t interact with anything your spirit guide can’t see.

You control the protagonist—a spirit medium named Marianne—from a third-person perspective as she explores the Niwa Workers’ Resort, a deserted vacation spot that existed in the communist time. She gets invited to the resort to help uncover its secrets.

During her exploration, Marianne discovers that the resort has spiritual significance. She then begins to learn more about her life and mission.

The game is set in the titular “medium,” which refers to both the astral plane that Marianne can enter and manipulate and the physical world in which she exists. To progress, Marianne must solve puzzles and overcome obstacles by manipulating her environment. For example, she can move objects in the real world by using her psychic abilities to influence them in the spirit world. As she explores deeper into the resort, Marianne finds it haunted by ghosts linked to her past.

Unique Settings and Mechanics

The Medium features two unique selling points: setting and gameplay mechanics. The game’s setting—the titular “medium”—blends elements of both the real world and the spirit world, allowing for some truly haunting visuals and atmosphere. The gameplay also revolves around solving puzzles by manipulating the physical environment and the astral plane. This makes for some very clever and creative puzzle design.

Marianne can possess objects and people and travel through walls and planes. This ability is used to progress through the story and uncover secrets about the game’s worlds.

Straightforward Gameplay, Creepy Missions

When you walk into a room with one door, the door locks behind you, meaning there’s no turning back until you find out what lies ahead. As you walk, you must be careful where you place your feet because if you stumble across an enemy before your spirit guide sees it, the enemy will be alerted and come after you.

There are five levels to explore, each filled with all sorts of ghouls for you to combat. If you need help finding something important (keys, for example), you can summon your spirit guide, who will lead you straight to the item’s location. You can also use items you find in the environment, such as books and candles, to distract enemies. And when you’re ready to go home, you need to light some candles and make your way up the stairs, which conveniently lead to your front door.

Stunning Yet Scary Graphics and Plot

The Medium features some of a video game’s most beautiful and realistic graphics. Every environment is meticulously detailed, from the eerie forests to the abandoned carnival. The game’s audio is just as impressive, with spine-chilling sound effects and a haunting score that add to the game’s atmosphere of suspense.

The Medium features an interesting plot that keeps players guessing until the end. The game’s characters are also well-developed and believable, making it easy for players to become invested in their stories.

Getting Set For An Immersive Horror Experience

When it comes to horror games, immersion is key. To get the most out of The Medium, you’ll want to ensure you’re as immersed in the game as possible. Proper immersion could mean playing in a dark room with headphones on, ensuring you’re not distracted by anything else. I could only fully appreciate the scares and the story when I was focused, without any distractions.

The Medium’s gameplay revolves around using the protagonist’s astral projection ability to navigate the world. This ability allows you to solve puzzles and progress through the game’s story. The game’s use of sound and visual design creates a feeling of unease and dread. Your inability to fully control the protagonist’s astral projection creates a sense of powerlessness.

Creating a Sense of Horror Through Sight and Sounds

The Medium has significantly impacted the horror genre as a whole. Its use of psychological horror has inspired other developers to experiment with similar techniques in their games. Additionally, its success has shown an audience for more psychological atmospheric horror games. As a result, we will likely see more games like The Medium in the future.

The Medium features a unique art style that blends 2D and 3D elements to create a sense of unease and disorientation. The game’s use of lights and shadows also creates a feeling of dread, as players never know what lurks in the dark. The game’s soundtrack is composed of eerie, ambient noises that add to the feeling of unease.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for an innovative horror game that will keep you on the edge of your seat, look no further than The Medium. The game has gained many positive reviews from users on different platforms who are impressed with its level of realism. I recommend this game if you’re looking for something new and scary but don’t have time for more than a few hours of gameplay.

The puzzles are mostly well-designed, although some may be too obtuse for some players. Overall, The Medium is a haunting and fascinating experience worth checking out for fans of the genre.