The Medium

 Xbox Series X
User Score
7.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 1388 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 962 out of 1388
  2. Mixed: 137 out of 1388
  3. Negative: 289 out of 1388

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  1. Nobilis1984
    Feb 5, 2021
    4
    It wasn't worth the wait.
    The game is ultimately a disappointment.
    - The puzzles are stupid.
    - The controls are annoying and were already garbage with Resident Evil.
    - The chase with the monster is hardly possible. That only causes frustration for the player.
    - The graphics could be better.
  2. Orswed
    Jan 31, 2021
    4
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Decepcionante. Me lo habían recomendado como una revolución gráfica y tan sólo algún efecto de partículas cumple (porque la mayoría son imágenes estáticas, es muy fácil conseguir "fotorealismo" así). La historia es buena pero es tan pausado que llega a aburrir mucho. La animación y el control del personaje, desastrosos. La música y ambientación, eso sí, muy muy buenas, pero para mí no hacen que llegue al aprobado. Creo que hay muchos juegos anteriores muy superiores, incluso en la Xbox One.… Expand
  3. Game-Hogger
    Jan 30, 2021
    4
    I went into this with the premise of a horrifying adventure and was greeted with a messy, cinematic adventure that tries too hard to be intricate and ends up swimming in an ocean of commonalities with plenty of other media from the same genre.

    From the beginning the game starts strongly and makes Marianne's world interesting, however once you get into Nowa resort the story fails to hold    I went into this with the premise of a horrifying adventure and was greeted with a messy, cinematic adventure that tries too hard to be intricate and ends up swimming in an ocean of commonalities with plenty of other media from the same genre.

    From the beginning the game starts strongly and makes Marianne's world interesting, however once you get into Nowa resort the story fails to hold itself together and becomes too tangled with its smaller details while being ignorant towards the larger ones.

    Marianne's main motive which is to investigate a mysterious caller who has promised to speak to her about her ability to converse with the dead, as well as a reoccurring dream she keeps experiencing is sidelined heavily and in comes a focus on smaller characters and smaller story notes which ultimately add no substance to the plot, such as Ursula, a grief stricken nurse who as a result of her own sadness is possessed and kills the people of the resort. While the description of this character and her acts of horror sound interesting, you never once come in contact with Ursula or experience the horrors of this character as not only is she long gone before Marianne's arrival, her story is mostly shown in collectibles and adds little weight to the plot as never once is she mentioned.

    Then there's Richard, a traumatic painter who has a "Jekyll and Hyde" personality that is controlled by a gargantuous multiple armed monster known as the "Child Eater", who is also collectible material until one scene where he's linked to the plot and if you didn't find enough collectibles to know this same person is Richard, the story looks structurally messy. This is due to how lazily executed their decision making is and ultimately makes collectible hunting a double edged sword where the result is largely inconsequential in Ursula's case, as well as a few other faces you won't meet along the way. However an obligation in Richard's case otherwise you're out of the loop on a large plot detail and left lost.

    With these side plots out the way you may think you find the mysterious voice who was the focal point of the plot, however through the 8 hour + run you never do, it's more useless plot extensions up until the last half hour where the game decides to drop a huge bomb shell that wasn't hinted at once within the story or built up so it seems incredibly forced and out of place.

    As a result the game ends with a flat story and an even messier ending where it's open ended for the sake of trying to push a sequel yet largely lacks suspense.

    Throughout the 8 hour run there's only 5 encounters with an "enemy" and they're delegated to easy stealth situations which can be finished in 10 minutes. The rest of the game has you treading an empty world doing easy puzzles that won't require you to look up a guide once as you're strung along by a story that seemingly makes details up as you go.

    The camera is horrible and can be the reason you miss collectibles and/or doorways meaning you'll be stuck in loop until you find the right area by mistake, the characters outside of Marianne are underdeveloped, lack personality and exist to make the world seem bigger, despite coming off as empty because of this and the musical score is something I don't remember even as I type this, it's so samey and fails to stand out.

    Enemy design is wasted on cutscenes and never once pose a threat or succeed in delivering fear, instead you'll go in a room expecting to be scared yet never encounter anything that makes you scared.

    The voice acting is praiseworthy however and the usage of multiple realities made the game tolerable, but didn't save it from being a common possession story with a lame story. I expected better but I got it off gamepass so I don't feel cheated, just let down.    … Expand
  4. heila
    Mar 11, 2021
    4
    The only one xbox next-gen game running on 30 fps, what do you expect?
    Xbox is over...
  5. BradMorgan
    Jan 18, 2022
    4
    Maybe it just wasn't my type of game but The Medium was a let down for me. The opening and ending were strong in terms of story, but everything in between was a long stretched adventure tied together by collectables and short sequences. The controls were poor and the gameplay mechanics remained very basic. It amzed me hoe slow the character ’runs’, even when in danger. I would also haveMaybe it just wasn't my type of game but The Medium was a let down for me. The opening and ending were strong in terms of story, but everything in between was a long stretched adventure tied together by collectables and short sequences. The controls were poor and the gameplay mechanics remained very basic. It amzed me hoe slow the character ’runs’, even when in danger. I would also have liked to see more locations. Within this genre there are really better games to play and I would therefore not recommend this game.

    Pros:
    - Vibe
    - Beginning and ending

    Cons:
    - Controls
    - Art style (personal of course)
    - Locations
    - Trophies achievements every minute    … Expand
  6. EdwinAE
    Jan 29, 2021
    4
    Boring, and too short, plus the graphics are are too disappointing considering that is a next gen game on the most powerful console
  7. Tommycbs
    Jul 24, 2021
    4
    Timed Xbox exclusive (coming to ps non September)

    Graphics are decent. Story’s not bad Controls are very clunky The whole split world gimmick gets annoying very fast Audio is great! Monster is well done Main character is likeable. Collectibles were fun Puzzles were a good difficulty Was made jump once and only once because i looked through a crack in the wall at a bath lol 5 hours long    Timed Xbox exclusive (coming to ps non September)

    Graphics are decent. Story’s not bad Controls are very clunky The whole split world gimmick gets annoying very fast Audio is great!
    Monster is well done Main character is likeable. Collectibles were fun
    Puzzles were a good difficulty
    Was made jump once and only once because i looked through a crack in the wall at a bath lol
    5 hours long which I like. But I had to motivate myself to play it a lot. Not the most fun game. A LOT of cutscenes. Probably 40 minutes worth making this 4 and a bit hours. Would I play the sequel if there was one? No. Overall 4/10. Not the worst game in the world and thank god it’s short. Had a good idea but it didn’t translate into fun gameplay.    … Expand
  8. Nik_Zizza
    Jan 30, 2021
    4
    This is a very mediocre Horror, especially for being the first Xbox Series X exclusive, this game tries to copy Silent Hill by failing miserably, it is not scary, it has a bad narrative component and above all it seems more an Xbox 360 game than a Xbox Series X game, poor graphics and poor optimization. Xbox confirms its trend: having sh1tty exclusives.
  9. sa674
    Mar 13, 2021
    4
    Sweet game overall, controls were bit old
    school, story character design ain’t bad either
  10. Jogavera
    Jan 30, 2021
    4
    Muitos bugs pra uma proposta simples de jogo, mau otimizado e jogabilidade pessima e uma historia ok.
  11. ShenmueGoonie
    Jan 31, 2021
    4
    El juego no logra transmitir ese miedo que se siente en silent hills, no lo considero un juego de miedo si no de Suspenso, los movimientos del personaje parecen de hace dos generaciones, en Fin esperaba mas del juego
  12. lNeo15l
    Jan 29, 2021
    4
    Jogo multiplataforma padrão game pass AA, estúdio pequeno e com baixo orçamento.
    Jogavel e de simples jogabilidade, tentou se inspirar em jogos antigos trazendo alguma nostalgia.
    Poderia ter uma melhor otimização, mas como o estúdio é pequeno acabou não conseguindo desempenho estável nos momentos que temos as duas telas. Xbox Series X 900p e no Xbox Series S 648p. Não tem com dar    Jogo multiplataforma padrão game pass AA, estúdio pequeno e com baixo orçamento.
    Jogavel e de simples jogabilidade, tentou se inspirar em jogos antigos trazendo alguma nostalgia.

    Poderia ter uma melhor otimização, mas como o estúdio é pequeno acabou não conseguindo desempenho estável nos momentos que temos as duas telas.
    Xbox Series X 900p e no Xbox Series S 648p.

    Não tem com dar uma nota maior que 6, neste caso fanboy detectado.
    Também não tem como ser menor de 2.    … Expand
  13. Virgolini
    Jan 30, 2021
    4
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Sin seramente me esperaba mas pero lamentablemente el juego peca de ser corto, pasillero y que su camara fija no es del todo buena aparte de bugs o errores pero no son tan grabes lo que mas destaco de este juego es su historia que no esta mal y su banda sonora que me parece lo mejor que trae este juego… Expand
  14. Cwouda
    Jan 30, 2021
    4
    this game feels like a chore to play through, way too much walking around looking for items with no combat whatsoever. The story is not strong enough to keep you engaged and the ending is extremely disappointing
  15. EliseuLP
    Jan 31, 2021
    4
    Achei a história mais ou menos. E a gameplay é horrível... A mecânica dos anos 90 não me agradou.
  16. RaptorNemesis
    Jan 31, 2021
    4
    Bonjours à tous!!

    Pas de spoil, Voici mon analyse perso de the medium, Points forts : - scenar digne d'un film thriller horrifique, on s'attache au personnage et son histoire, -monstres stylés mais pas assez horreur. On reste trop soft - des moments stressants -musique qui colle Points faibles : -gameplay dépassé -personnage lourd et manque de fluidité -des bugs, -technique décevante    Bonjours à tous!!

    Pas de spoil,

    Voici mon analyse perso de the medium,
    Points forts :
    - scenar digne d'un film thriller horrifique, on s'attache au personnage et son histoire,
    -monstres stylés mais pas assez horreur. On reste trop soft
    - des moments stressants
    -musique qui colle

    Points faibles : -gameplay dépassé -personnage lourd et manque de fluidité
    -des bugs, -technique décevante -on sent la volonté de "copié" sur Silent Hill, dommage il manque l'horreur traumatisante Pour moi il mérite un 4. Je pense qu'un jeu en mode film interactif aurait été mieux pour The medium. Signé TG    … Expand
  17. sole96
    Jan 30, 2021
    4
    I do not understand how this game is getting such high scores from reviewers. It's nonsensical. This game is so mediocre. The frames were terrible, the story was lackluster and cliche, and don't get me started on the fixed camera. Its dated and gimmicky overused and boring. I was expecting a next gem unique experience. But I got none. I'd give a lower rating but I feel this is fair enough
  18. SylphK9
    Jan 31, 2021
    4
    Decepcionante. Me lo habían recomendado como una revolución gráfica y tan sólo algún efecto de partículas cumple (porque la mayoría son imágenes estáticas, es muy fácil conseguir "fotorealismo" así). La historia es buena pero es tan pausado que llega a aburrir mucho. La animación y el control del personaje, desastrosos. La música y ambientación, eso sí, muy muy buenas, pero para mí noDecepcionante. Me lo habían recomendado como una revolución gráfica y tan sólo algún efecto de partículas cumple (porque la mayoría son imágenes estáticas, es muy fácil conseguir "fotorealismo" así). La historia es buena pero es tan pausado que llega a aburrir mucho. La animación y el control del personaje, desastrosos. La música y ambientación, eso sí, muy muy buenas, pero para mí no hacen que llegue al aprobado. Creo que hay muchos juegos anteriores muy superiores, incluso en la Xbox One. Menos mal que estaba incluido en el GamePass.… Expand
  19. Dax32Copernico
    Feb 3, 2021
    4
    La verdad que se uede decir de este juego? Una decepción grande, se dice que es el mejor juego de Bloober, pero en nada se le arrima a the observer, es mas tirado a la bruja de blair, cansino, hasta al punto de ser aburrido, una historia muy pobre, una narrativa sin gracia, lo salva en algo la musica del maestro Yamaoka, ok, vamos al asunto, graficos, parece juego de 360, cayendo en muchasLa verdad que se uede decir de este juego? Una decepción grande, se dice que es el mejor juego de Bloober, pero en nada se le arrima a the observer, es mas tirado a la bruja de blair, cansino, hasta al punto de ser aburrido, una historia muy pobre, una narrativa sin gracia, lo salva en algo la musica del maestro Yamaoka, ok, vamos al asunto, graficos, parece juego de 360, cayendo en muchas ocaciones hasta juego de ps2, no se de donde sacan los usuarios de xbox que va a 4k cuando en realidad en reescalado, historia, muy sosa, predecible hasta el final, practicamente sabes como va a terminar y no cautiva, narrativa, la peor que he visto, como se puede entender que la protagonista este haciendo chistes despues de ver niños muertos? Humor de disney o marvel?, jugabilidad, el mismo tanque de los re de psx, no es que me afecte mucho pero a estas alturas de la vida no puedes traer mecanicas viejas sin mejorarlas, en resumen, un juego que quizo pero no pudo, a los usuarios de xbox que blasfemaron compatandolo con silent hill, haganse ver por favor la cabeza y dejen de hablar con el fanatismo, este juego es mas una caricatura de nikelodeon que un silemt hill hay que lavarse la boca antes de mencionar ese nombre, mi nota va por haberlo jugado en pc con una 2080ti asi q si con eso no puedo dar mejor critica en lo grafico con trajetas mayores no me imagino, el juego defraudo en todo aspecto lastimosamente.

    Pdta: para los que dicen que el juego es innovador por tener dos pantallas al mismo tiempo, el tema del mundo doble ya lo hacia un juego hace mas de 20 años el Soul Reaver, no vengan a profetizar grandes invenciones cuando un juego de psx ya lo hacia hace 20 años y con hardware arcaico, ni tampoco a decir que es el sucesor de Silent Hill cuando ni al Downpoor se le asemeja.

    Muy pesimo juego.    … Expand
  20. Kenmei
    Jan 30, 2021
    3
    I kept going back and forth throughout The Medium's 8 hour campaign as to whether I liked the first true Series X exclusive for the console. The gameplay elements are very hit or miss for me, mostly miss. The static camera, ala the old Resident Evil games, come with their own drawbacks like weird character movement and unable to know what the correct path can be sometimes. And the generalI kept going back and forth throughout The Medium's 8 hour campaign as to whether I liked the first true Series X exclusive for the console. The gameplay elements are very hit or miss for me, mostly miss. The static camera, ala the old Resident Evil games, come with their own drawbacks like weird character movement and unable to know what the correct path can be sometimes. And the general sluggish nature of moving around the main character, Marianne, throughout the story was almost a hassle for the most part. Also the constant pop in of textures, during cutscenes and exploration, were beyond awful. Which didnt help with some of the bland textures when they were loading right. However the story was compelling, if containing a few plot holes here and there, to keep me going. That was until I got to the ending. As the game got to about the 3/4ths mark, the plot holes kept getting bigger and bigger until they were crater sized. With an ending that was so bad that it completely ruined the experience for me. They did set up for a sequel but the characters decisions at the end were a total cop out for they had been building up to the entire time. No specific spoilers but I honestly feel like I wasted my time with this game. Thankfully this is a gamepass game so it doesnt feel like a total loss for me. However if I had spent 60 dollars on this game to experience that ending, I'd be very angry with the way they went about it here. Not a great way for the first Series X exclusive game to end.… Expand
  21. anfabio
    Jan 31, 2021
    3
    Poor and inconsistent game design.
    Sometimes you can run, sometimes not. Sometimes you can use a power, some times you cannot. It all depends on the plot.
    Paths are very difficult to see. Sometimes you are close to a corridor and the camera shifts so you can see there is a hallway. But it's sooo inconistent. The Dual Screen gimmick is a mess. It only makes the game run poorly. A full    Poor and inconsistent game design.
    Sometimes you can run, sometimes not. Sometimes you can use a power, some times you cannot. It all depends on the plot.
    Paths are very difficult to see. Sometimes you are close to a corridor and the camera shifts so you can see there is a hallway. But it's sooo inconistent.
    The Dual Screen gimmick is a mess. It only makes the game run poorly. A full switch between the realms would be so much better,
    Some jump scares that are too old. Come on! You are not a Resident Evil. Just stop doing this and make us uncomfortable like a good Silent Hill.
    But the most annoying things are the checkpoints. I was far away some times and the inconsistent gameplay just failed me. I died and, after a looong loading, I was at the beggining of the **** hotel.
    Give up Bloober Team, you are not good with this kind of game.    … Expand
  22. Javito2811
    Jan 29, 2021
    3
    Pesimo juego, mecanicas de generacion pasada,no hay desafio en el juego solo se rescata la musica de esta novela grafica
  23. Jps71
    Feb 6, 2021
    3
    Slow paced, boring. Lucky it's free. Doesn't really really do anything new or take the horror franchise forward
  24. vkrepkiy
    Jan 30, 2021
    3
    This game is boring with useless uncomfortable split-screen, bad animations (why show them so close??) and no optimisation.
  25. AnonymousRating
    Feb 5, 2021
    3
    Gets boring after a while and not even scary game is mediocre at best and is just a silent hill ripoff
  26. Morados9
    Jan 3, 2023
    3
    Me es totalmente indiferente. Es un juego de chicas. No me gustan las chicas protagonistas.
  27. ultraviper
    Feb 10, 2021
    2
    I hate buying a brand new console (series X), getting a game claiming to be specifically optimized for it, and then seeing it run at 30fps
  28. WJBenediThus
    Jan 30, 2021
    2
    Espera mais do jogo, sem vontade de jogar, mas que sabe um dia... achei tudo muito simples.
  29. Gelider
    Jan 29, 2021
    2
    Es un juego mediocre .. buenos gráficos pero muy malas animaciones y muy pasillero. No merece la pena y eso q lo vendían como el mejor juego de x box jajajaj
  30. vgolev
    Mar 5, 2022
    2
    Just another eastern eu game. No story, no good mechanics, no optimization. I glad I played in gamepass, and didn't have to buy it.
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Awards & Rankings

61
#61 Best Xbox Series X Game of 2021
4
#4 Most Discussed Xbox Series X Game of 2021

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
71

Mixed or average reviews - based on 81 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 44 out of 81
  2. Mixed: 34 out of 81
  3. Negative: 3 out of 81
  1. CD-Action
    Sep 1, 2021
    80
    Despite clunky animations, repetitive gameplay and some technical issues with the Xbox Series X version, I completed The Medium twice. Its dual-reality design, art direction and brilliant soundtrack often made me stop to take in a view or relish the music. Its mature story and atmosphere reminiscent of Silent Hill helped a lot too. [03/2021, p.40]
  2. Game World Navigator Magazine
    Apr 9, 2021
    76
    The Medium didn’t manage to become a spiritual successor to Silent Hill, but it’s still a significant step forward for Bloober Team. [Issue#252, p.50]
  3. IGN Portugal
    Mar 18, 2021
    80
    The exclusive Microsoft - The Medium is yet another significant milestone in the catalogue of psychological horror games from Bloober Team, which is increasingly becoming one of the best studios in this area. Without hiding where it comes from, it's an experience horror fans won't want to miss, no matter how short. The duality approach is interesting and has enormous potential. I hope that the Bloober Team will get to work on it again and develop it more in-depth.
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