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THE MEDIUM (XSX)
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Publisher: Bloober Team.
Developer: Bloober Team. Released: January 2021. Genre: Horror. Other versions: PS5; PC; SWI. Posted 11th December 2024. By Shane Battams © 2024 |
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Originally planned for release in 2012 for then-current systems, The Medium would become something of a white whale for Polish studio Bloober Team. Pitched as a game where a medium can see two worlds simultaneously, hardware limitations meant the project would be shelved until technology could catch up to the ambitious proposal. Finally, with the hardware grunt of the Xbox Series consoles, development began under a studio now more experienced in the horror genre, having created the likes of Observer and Layers of Fear. Attempting to blend the cerebral pace of modern horror with the perspective and ideology of classical survival horror, this spiritual tale proves a distinctive, if not entirely successful, effort.
Marianne is a spirit medium living in late 90s Poland. After helping her foster father pass on, a mysterious phone call sends her to the Niwa Workers’ Resort, an abandoned site which rumours suggest housed a shocking massacre. As Marianne enters the facility, she soon realises the place has deep spiritual ties and a dark entity which could spell her end, and she must investigate further while trying to track down the caller known as Thomas. The Medium’s tale is a dark, uncompromising look at some unsettling topics that wouldn’t feel out of place in a Silent Hill game, and it can feel abstract at points which may turn off some. However, the thread is pretty compelling, with Marianne’s underlying mystery adding intrigue and bolstered by her likeable personality, which apes sassy heroines of 90s survival horror. It can border on goofy, but there’s a weird charm to her commentary which grounds the otherworldly story.
The split worlds are a key feature in The Medium's unusual experience, though it would have benefitted from greater player involvement
The Medium can best be described as a modern horror game in the skin of a Resident Evil clone, mixing slower-paced gameplay with static camera angles. The latter works well, successfully creating tension or highlighting an explorable area clearly while providing some beautiful vistas. The only downside is, sometimes, the controls get confused and you end up walking in circles. The structure sees you exploring the facility while tracking down objects to open new paths, some of which need combining to become useful such as pieces of a piano music sheet. It entails some backtracking, though the experience is more linear than those titles. There are also no firearms or combat to really speak of, meaning there’s no ammo conservation. Although, at times reacting incorrectly can result in a game over, such as stealth segments where you avoid the entity.
The issue with The Medium is that, in all honesty, it feels short on tangible gameplay. Some will bemoan a slower-paced focus on exploration and story over gameplay, though to call it a walking sim is perhaps too strong. There are some moments of action or interactivity, but they can range in quality. Stealth segments feel very basic, and unless you sprint or walk right into the monster, can be passed with ease, though at least they don’t recall the terrible stealth of the early 2000s. On the other hand, some chase sequences feel like pot luck, as making a slightly wrong push can see you grabbed and killed. However, this is a relatively easy game overall, and one which can consequently feel one-and-done. You can finish it in around seven hours, and while plentiful collectables can be missed without a keen eye, it’s not one you’ll be racing back to.
The issue with The Medium is that, in all honesty, it feels short on tangible gameplay. Some will bemoan a slower-paced focus on exploration and story over gameplay, though to call it a walking sim is perhaps too strong. There are some moments of action or interactivity, but they can range in quality. Stealth segments feel very basic, and unless you sprint or walk right into the monster, can be passed with ease, though at least they don’t recall the terrible stealth of the early 2000s. On the other hand, some chase sequences feel like pot luck, as making a slightly wrong push can see you grabbed and killed. However, this is a relatively easy game overall, and one which can consequently feel one-and-done. You can finish it in around seven hours, and while plentiful collectables can be missed without a keen eye, it’s not one you’ll be racing back to.
FOCAL POINT: POWER OF TWO
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Bloober’s dream of split worlds would finally come to life with ninth-gen hardware, and it is the standout part of The Medium. At times, Marianne’s perspective splits into two, with her reality and the spirit realm viewable simulataneously, and her actions affecting both. The unsettling brown hue of the spirit side, combined with body horror, makes for a distinctive world. The game capably renders both at once with few performance issues, which is a feat. The puzzling is perhaps even better, as you’re forced to use your grey matter to progress. Sometimes, Marianne cannot progress in the real world, but going out of body allows you to continue in the spirit world, with tension from limited time as staying too long kills Marianne. It can also occur in the spirit world, requiring you to open the path in reality. The two worlds add a unique spin on horror exploration, puzzles and gameplay, and it certainly helps the game stand out.
The presentation is very impressive. Some may bemoan the lack of a 60fps option, but really, the visuals on display are quality. Texture work is mostly fantastic, characters look top-notch while animating believably and the world (both real and spiritual) is beautifully lit and gorgeously crafted. The ruined facility which hides a tragic history, the skin barriers you have to cut into and the disfigured entities you encounter in the spirit realm all feel uneasy and add tension. The only dent is some texture pop-in which can be distracting, and a few moments of performance issues. The sound is great too, featuring quality voicework including a rather shocking turn from Troy Baker as The Maw. The music, while sometimes a bit nondescript, does feature a few quality tracks, and the effects sound strong which only contributes further to a tense atmosphere.
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The Medium is a decent horror game which manages to impress with its technologically advanced premise but doesn’t nail the execution fully. Those expecting a classical survival horror will likely bemoan the limited gameplay, but others can still enjoy the creepy atmosphere, solid storytelling and split-world puzzling. It’s just a shame some technical issues, frustrating moments and control quirks get in the way. However, if you can stomach some taboo themes and want an absorbing story to pass just shy of ten hours, then this horror still offers enjoyment, and may serve as the foundation for a stronger sequel.
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VERDICT
"The Medium impresses with its technologically advanced premise, but though it doesn’t nail the execution, players will still enjoy the creepy atmosphere, solid storytelling and split-world puzzling." OVERALL: 6/10 |
OTHER INNOVATIVE HORROR GAMES REVIEWED
Calling (2010, Wii)
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Silent Hill: Shattered Memories (2010, PlayStation 2)
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