I finally got around to finishing The Medium on Playstation, getting in there just before it comes out of Plus Extra. And it’s good. It reminded me very much of classic horror game franchises like old school Resident Evil and Silent Hill, so if you love those games, or you’re trying to find something to kill time before the next inevitable remake, then The Medium might be for you.

The Medium is a psychological horror game developed by Bloober Team and released in 2021. It takes you on a creepy journey through two interconnected worlds, with dual-reality gameplay elements which involve a split-screen style and fixed camera angles. This style might take a little getting used to if you’ve never played split-screen or fixed camera before, but it is fairly intuitive and adds a unique mechanic to the overall gameplay that is also essential to the story. It also combines action, stealth, exploration, puzzle-solving and cinematic cutscenes, which for me made it feel nicely varied pacing-wise (although I am aware that some criticisms of the game have been about the pacing. I guess your mileage may vary).

In this post I’m going to talk about some of the things I enjoyed about the game.

Dual Realities

As I mentioned above, the core mechanic in The Medium is the dual-reality gameplay. You control Marianne, who is a spirit medium with the ability to inhabit both the material world and the spirit realm simultaneously. The split-screen presentation allows you to navigate both realities at the same time, but the really clever part is that Marianne often needs to solve puzzles in one realm to be able to progress in the other realm. For example, there are certain doorways that are barred to you until you switch to the spirit realm and Marianne cuts through the barrier. Then the real world Marianne is finally able to pass through the doorway. It adds a nice additional puzzle-solving element to the game.

The transition between the realms is seamless, boiling down to a press of a button whenever it’s necessary for Marianne to complete a task in the spirit realm to help the version of her in reality. This mechanic helps to enhance the overall sense of tension and suspense, not least because Marianne has a limited stint in the spirit realm before she becomes overwhelmed, so you need to be careful not to dally (I dallied the first time and, uh, ended up killing her… oops).

Immersive Storytelling

The narrative begins with Marianne receiving a disturbing vision, drawing her to the abandoned Niwa Resort. This eerie setting becomes the backdrop for a tale that intricately weaves together psychological horror and supernatural mystery.

The abandoned resort is a creepy canvas for the unfolding story, with each creaking floorboard and flickering light contributing to the palpable sense of dread. Marianne’s journey is not only a physical exploration of the dilapidated structure but also a descent into the recesses of her own psyche. The environment itself becomes a character, telling a story of decay and despair that mirrors Marianne’s own internal struggles.

Marianne’s Abilities

At the heart of the game lies Marianne’s unique abilities as a medium. Her connection to the spirit realm allows you to navigate two worlds simultaneously. This dual-reality gameplay introduces a layer of complexity to puzzle-solving, as you must consider the consequences of your actions in both realms. Marianne’s interactions with spirits and entities in the spirit realm are not just gameplay mechanics; they are integral to unraveling the overarching mystery.

Marianne’s ability to communicate with the deceased adds a poignant and emotional dimension to the storytelling. The spirits she encounters each have their own (often very sad) stories, reflecting themes of unresolved trauma and unfulfilled desires. The game invites you to empathise with these spectral entities, adding layers of depth to the narrative and challenging preconceived notions of life and death.

Trauma and Loss

The Medium boldly explores themes of trauma and loss, using Marianne’s journey as a vehicle to highlight emotional scars that linger long after the events that caused them. The narrative unfolds like a psychological tapestry, revealing fragments of Marianne’s past and the traumas that continue to haunt her. The game’s commitment to tackling these heavy themes elevates it beyond a mere horror experience, turning it into an emotional and introspective journey.

Some of the themes are heavy, so it’s probably a good idea to check for triggering content before you jump into this game.

As you progress, you discover the interconnected stories of the characters who once inhabited Niwa Resort. Each room, each note, and each encounter with the supernatural entities contributes to a narrative mosaic that reflects the pain and sorrow of those who once lived there. Marianne’s quest to uncover the truth becomes a cathartic exploration of her own demons, as well as those haunting the abandoned halls.

Environmental Storytelling

The game’s narrative is not only conveyed through traditional means like cutscenes and dialogue but also through meticulous environmental storytelling. The developers have crafted a world where every corner tells a story, and exploration is rewarded with insights into the past. Photographs, letters, and remnants of the lives that once thrived in the resort serve as breadcrumbs, guiding you through the plot.

Aesthetic Excellence

It’s fairly obvious from the start that the developers were committed to creating a world that is as hauntingly beautiful as it is terrifying. The real world is portrayed with a sense of melancholy and decay, while the spirit realm is ethereal and otherworldly. The attention to detail in both realms is striking, from the decaying architecture of Niwa Resort to the surreal landscapes of the spirit world.

As I note at the start, the devs chose to use fixed camera angles, reminiscent for classic horror games like Resident Evil. This feels very much like a deliberate nod to the genre’s roots. But the fixed angles also serve a practical purpose: they frame scenes with a cinematic touch, allowing the devs to control what you see and when you see it. You know you’re playing The Medium at the pace it was intended to be played.

The atmospheric soundtrack of The Medium is a collaboration between renowned composers Akira Yamaoka, known for his work on the Silent Hill series, and Arkadiusz Reikowski. This pairing results in a musical score that complements the game’s visuals with haunting precision. The music becomes an unseen character, guiding you through moments of tension, sorrow, and revelation.

In the spirit realm, the soundtrack takes on an ethereal and otherworldly quality, enhancing the sense of being in a dimension beyond the living. Conversely, in the material world, the music reflects the desolation and decay, amplifying the emotional impact of Marianne’s journey. The integration of sound and visuals creates a symbiotic relationship where each element enhances the other, and creates an audio-visual experience that leaves a lasting impression.

Beyond the composed soundtrack, the game pays meticulous attention to environmental acoustics. Every footstep, creak, and distant whisper contributes to the overall auditory experience. The use of 3D audio technology adds an extra layer of immersion, making players feel as though they are truly inhabiting the haunted spaces of Niwa Resort. You should absolutely wear headphones for the best audio experience. It really enhances the creepiness! Whether it’s the distant moans of unseen entities or the unsettling silence of a desolate room, the game’s sound design plays a pivotal role in crafting an immersive and spine-chilling experience.

Overall

So overall, I think that Bloober Team have done a stunning job at evoking nostalgia in players familiar with older horror style games (Resident Evil, Silent Hill, etc) and fans of those games should feel right at home. But it’s not just a homage – the story itself is intriguing and gripping and, at times, pretty damn freaky!

While not without its flaws, The Medium succeeds in delivering a captivating narrative that explores the depths of the human psyche and the mysteries that lie beyond the veil of reality. For those seeking a haunting and thought-provoking gaming experience, The Medium is a journey well worth taking.

Have you played The Medium? I’d love to know your thoughts and experiences with the game. Drop me a comment below.