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. Jericho115
    Jun 5, 2021
    0
    This game is trash DO NOT BUY IT. Waste of money worst game I ever played.....
  2. Oruz
    Feb 11, 2021
    9
    A very good game, history feels like it has much more to be developed, but it's excellent and it has an essence to old psychological terror games. You have to improve the gameplay, but it serves very well in what you want to play as a game. Very recommendable.
  3. SpaceKiddo
    Jan 31, 2021
    10
    Best game from Bloober team till now, the world is so detailed, sounds and music are so immpresive, and the story they really took care in writing it when you get hooked you can't stop. I enjoyed every part of the story and I hope there is a part 2.
  4. enriverd
    Feb 27, 2021
    7
    The first true next generation game, only playable on XBox SX or SS because running its two worlds on older hardware is not possible. On paper, it had enough ingredients to impress, however, the developers have made a few design choices that do not let the game shine as it should.

    Before I comment them, let me say that graphically, the game is very nice, specially the real world. The    The first true next generation game, only playable on XBox SX or SS because running its two worlds on older hardware is not possible. On paper, it had enough ingredients to impress, however, the developers have made a few design choices that do not let the game shine as it should.

    Before I comment them, let me say that graphically, the game is very nice, specially the real world. The characters movement could be improved, but are ok. And the voices volume is not properly levelled, so some are too loud and other too low.

    Getting back to the poor design choices:

    The first one is the perspective used. Using fixed camera views, which do not allow the player to properly see the objects and details of the scenes that far is really annoying and has brought me the same clunky feeling of the first 3D games, like when playing the first Alone in the dark. I thought that 20 years of 3D video games had taught us some lessons, but they insist in making the same mistakes again.

    On the other hand, when you interact with an object, the game kind of opens a new space, zooming in the object but limiting the pan you can make. Sometimes interacting with a object requires opening two of those spaces. When done, you have to exit those spaces with a button press. All this makes exploring the areas very frustrating.

    Although the idea of having two worlds is very interesting, the design of the alternate reality does not make much sense. For instance, at some point in the game you find a corridor with a huge hole in the ground that does no let you pass. Switching to the alternate reality, you see that the hole is not that big in that reality and you can cross. Really? The alternate reality is supposed to be the spiritual world, but the physical objects should be the same (and generally are, and just have different appearance). That is not playing fair.

    The puzzles presented often do not make much sense, for example, you are in a room with the exit door closed, and for the door to open you have to reproduce a tape which has no relation to the door. It does not make any sense and reduces your decision making in the game to having to try everything to advance.

    Despite all this flaws, the game is fun and is half as scary as it could have been, something I also appreciate.    … Expand
  5. Hoomanff
    Jan 31, 2021
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Nice game and new idea and good visual graphice and scary story i think games scary is the best games… Expand
  6. Ihfae9
    Feb 4, 2021
    8
    I felt great playing it since it has an old game vibes + the art style is phenomenal & I can’t stress how much I liked the two worlds adaptations
  7. byAEG7
    May 25, 2021
    8
    Great story telling with a varied puzzle like game play combined with a walking simulator of sorts. The game catches you and doesn't let you out until the whole story is told, the only thing its letting it back is the lack cluster game play mechanics
  8. lightw4d
    Jan 31, 2021
    10
    Those saying it has past gen graphics obviously played this game only on YouTube. Graphics are stunning and the only small isseu is with characters. Rest of the game is great. The game is fairly easy and could be more complicated but my vote goes for emotions during gameplay and i had best fun with the game in a long time. The game deserves second part.
  9. heila
    Mar 11, 2021
    4
    The only one xbox next-gen game running on 30 fps, what do you expect?
    Xbox is over...
  10. PCspain
    May 3, 2021
    0
    Un juego pésimo mal optimizado y con caídas a 20 fps. Una basura, espero que se esmeren más con los proximos
  11. 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
  12. Gamero
    Feb 17, 2021
    10
    A very pleasant game. All the negative reviews are from negative people. It's not Silent Hill, it's not horror, it's not action. It's an atmospheric narrative adventure. A sequel is essential.
  13. HexogeN10
    Mar 3, 2021
    10
    One of the most precisely showed Poland in history. The mood, the story, the overall experience. Just marvelous.
  14. tom974
    Dec 2, 2022
    7
    This is a must try game at least, much more with the Gamepass availability. Magnificient settings, beautiful scenery, heartbreaking story, and the dual screen mechanic is clever though underexploited. the overall game could have gone further than its globally basic gameplay and that's what keeps it from a higher rating. The lack of chapter selection when there's so many collectibles to getThis is a must try game at least, much more with the Gamepass availability. Magnificient settings, beautiful scenery, heartbreaking story, and the dual screen mechanic is clever though underexploited. the overall game could have gone further than its globally basic gameplay and that's what keeps it from a higher rating. The lack of chapter selection when there's so many collectibles to get is a shame also. The ground is solid there for a sequel.… Expand
  15. nkp20mufc
    May 1, 2021
    0
    Terrible. Utterly forgettable nonsense. Phil Spencer and xbots should be ashamed of such low standards they accept.
  16. Serx79
    Mar 5, 2022
    0
    unplayable game on release from company that are super politically engaged.
  17. Nikitos_Sen
    Mar 3, 2022
    0
    Всегда считал, что игры вне политики! Не ожидал от игровой студии, которая должна ориентироваться на обычных игроков и то, чтобы дарить людям хорошие эмоции…что студия будет наказывать обычных людей за решения принятые правительством! Раз игровая студия решила вмешаться в политику, то и оценку она получит не за игру!Всегда считал, что игры вне политики! Не ожидал от игровой студии, которая должна ориентироваться на обычных игроков и то, чтобы дарить людям хорошие эмоции…что студия будет наказывать обычных людей за решения принятые правительством! Раз игровая студия решила вмешаться в политику, то и оценку она получит не за игру!
  18. axis1798
    May 1, 2021
    7
    Gran juego sobre todo por su historia, ambientación y personajes aun así creo que bloober team es aun novato en juegos de tercera persona y falla en el control y jugabilidad aun así la música es de 10 y pese a no ser muy re jugable y desperdiciar algunas oportunidades con jefes es un muy buen juego para ser una nueva ip me encantó.
    Punto positivos: Música, historia, personajes,    Gran juego sobre todo por su historia, ambientación y personajes aun así creo que bloober team es aun novato en juegos de tercera persona y falla en el control y jugabilidad aun así la música es de 10 y pese a no ser muy re jugable y desperdiciar algunas oportunidades con jefes es un muy buen juego para ser una nueva ip me encantó.
    Punto positivos: Música, historia, personajes, ambientación, dos mundos al mismo tiempo y originalidad.
    Negativos: jugabilidad, controles toscos, caídas de fps y carga de texturas a veces era muy lenta.    … Expand
  19. Akira85
    Apr 4, 2021
    0
    Buried underneath the messy narrative and the mundane gameplay, there's a good game in here, somewhere.
  20. Fellps
    Mar 7, 2021
    10
    Beautiful game with an amazing history! The gameplay is smooth and nostalgic, but the transition of the two worlds is a completely new gen experience! It is unbelievable the score and some reviews clearly to underscore the game.
  21. Filmanwalt
    Feb 6, 2021
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The medium

    It took me 7 1/2 hours for medium and achieved 840 gamerscore. An entertaining horror story game that was told in a terrific way and that just lacked the threat of its horror element.

    story

    It was exciting, thrilling and well staged. The cut scenes, echoes, collectibles tell the intense ride of the medium Marianne. At no point did I feel any length in the game, on the contrary, you were actually always curious to see how it would go on. The story of Marianne and the uncovering of the past was a success from start to finish.

    While playing, you are constantly encouraged to make assumptions and interpret in order to recognize the picture that is emerging.
    Spoiler:
    The parentheses at the end are also very well interwoven for me. It all starts with a dead girl and that's how it ends? It remains to be seen whether Marianne killed herself or Lilly. I guess the former.

    Difficult topics are also addressed, where with some one can only guess what happened.

    Gameplay

    If you know the games from BlooperTeam, you know that it is probably a walking simulator. But the great thing about it all is the dual gameplay. That not only has to serve as a pure puzzle-solving aspect, but also shows a great staged world and is part of the protagonist. The creativity of the scenery really amazed me.
    Spoiler: memory

    The second memory from Thomas (Henry) was really cool, with the files etc., staged
    You could also interact differently in both worlds and the simultaneous rendering of the worlds was amazing.

    In terms of horror, the game could have gone better, it was way too easy to avoid the monster. You didn't even have to make an effort. The puzzles weren't really difficult either, but I don't think that's bad.

    Graphics / performance

    The Medium looks terrific in places, which is mainly due to the already mentioned very creative expression in its scenery. The two rendered worlds have very beautiful settings and yes, the demon world has a strange aesthetic in it too. Sometimes the game is staged in a pretty disgusting way (cutting skin).

    Much, Much praise for the game. But now I have to leave something out on the technology. I had to stop the game on my PC (this is not a bad PC) because it did not run smoothly at all. I've tried everything, but no chance to get the game to work properly. Unfortunately, I don't know why.

    Even on the Series X there were occasional FPS stutters, but it remained largely stable here. Despite all that, you always had such an uneven feeling when it came to the technology and that pulled me a bit out of the very dense atmosphere. I now have to look again in retrospect to see if there are better settings or something similar, but the problems were also reported in large numbers on Reddit and Co.

    Conclusion

    For me a terrific "horror" story, for me other story elements were much more intense than the horror aspect, which looks beautiful and is pleasantly entertaining. Unfortunately the technology weakens, therefore 9/10 skin flaps.    … Expand
  22. THE_KlesK
    Feb 2, 2021
    8
    Good game, a little too linear.
    scenario with a lack of explanation
    can't wait to have the next chapter
  23. NENTU
    Feb 2, 2021
    9
    Buen juego, me gusto la historia desde el principio, sin embargo creo que el final me dejo un poco insatisfecho. En cuanto al apartado tecnico me parece que necesita optimizarse un poco mas, pero no esta nada mal, no tiene casi ningun bug, pero si uno que otro tiron.
  24. grreaper
    Feb 2, 2021
    7
    Довольно не плохая игра с сочными и приятными задниками. В какой то момент начинает напоминать Психонавтов :D
    Игра не хоррор, она триллер и на самом деле это очень хорошо. Нет этих постоянных бездумных скримеров. Игра держит в напряжении и заставляет к ней возвращаться в новь и вновь.
    Но да, это симулятор ходьбы и иногда бега. И это главный её минус. И как по мне, концовка несколько    Довольно не плохая игра с сочными и приятными задниками. В какой то момент начинает напоминать Психонавтов :D
    Игра не хоррор, она триллер и на самом деле это очень хорошо. Нет этих постоянных бездумных скримеров. Игра держит в напряжении и заставляет к ней возвращаться в новь и вновь.
    Но да, это симулятор ходьбы и иногда бега. И это главный её минус. И как по мне, концовка несколько слабовата.
    7.5/10    … Expand
  25. El1s0n
    Aug 8, 2021
    10
    Me encantó, un juego increíble en todos los aspectos. Y no necesariamente debe haber disparos y más disparos para que un juego logre ser maravilloso.
  26. CRunkazChris
    Feb 12, 2021
    10
    Beautiful game. It makes me want to know more. I got thrown so many omg moments where I had to pause the game and step back a few times.
  27. zetto
    Jan 30, 2021
    10
    the game is a masterpiece, psychological terror as it had not been seen for a long time.
  28. Rod-Olphe
    Feb 7, 2021
    8
    Even if the game has some old school mechanics ... the mood and the story are really great
  29. Thejodjeremie
    Feb 19, 2021
    7
    A very interesting horror/thriller story game with fun but slow type gameplay. I enjoyed the game even though it's not perfect. A good first Xbox next gen title.
  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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