Table of Contents
amazon The Dark Pictures Anthology Man of Medan reviews
Story and Atmosphere
The game’s story revolves around five characters who embark on a diving trip in search of a sunken World War II plane wreck. However, their adventure takes a dark turn when they encounter a ghost ship with a sinister history. The narrative is heavily inspired by classic horror tropes, blending psychological and supernatural horror elements to create a tense atmosphere. As the story unfolds, players are confronted with moral dilemmas, quick-time events (QTEs), and choices that significantly impact the direction of the plot and the survival of the characters.
“Man of Medan” excels in creating an unsettling atmosphere. The abandoned ship is the perfect setting for a horror game, with its claustrophobic corridors, eerie sound design, and haunting visuals. The game builds tension effectively, using jump scares and unsettling imagery sparingly but effectively. The atmosphere is further enhanced by the game’s cinematic presentation, with camera angles that mimic those of a horror film, adding to the sense of unease.
Gameplay and Mechanics
Gameplay in “Man of Medan” is primarily driven by exploration, decision-making, and QTEs. Players take control of each of the five main characters at different points in the game, exploring the environment, interacting with objects, and making choices that influence the narrative. The branching storyline is one of the game’s strongest features, with multiple endings and character fates determined by player decisions.
The decision-making aspect is at the core of the gameplay. Every choice, from dialogue options to actions during high-stakes situations, can have immediate or far-reaching consequences. This system encourages players to think carefully about their actions, as a seemingly minor decision early on could lead to significant repercussions later in the game. The inclusion of QTEs adds another layer of tension, as players must react quickly to on-screen prompts to avoid danger or secure a positive outcome.
However, the reliance on QTEs can be a double-edged sword. While they do heighten the sense of urgency during critical moments, they can also be frustrating, especially for players who are not accustomed to this gameplay mechanic. Missing a QTE can result in dire consequences, which may feel unfair to some players, particularly when the inputs are not as responsive as expected.
Graphics and Visuals
“Man of Medan” boasts impressive visuals, with detailed character models, realistic facial animations, and meticulously crafted environments. The game’s use of lighting and shadows plays a crucial role in building tension, with dimly lit corridors and flickering lights adding to the sense of dread. The attention to detail in the ship’s decaying interiors, coupled with the haunting visuals, creates a visually immersive experience.
However, the game is not without its graphical issues. Some players have reported frame rate drops, especially during intense scenes or when transitioning between cutscenes and gameplay. Additionally, while the character models are generally well-designed, there are moments when the facial animations can appear stiff or unnatural, breaking the immersion.
Sound and Audio Design
Sound design is a critical component of any horror game, and “Man of Medan” delivers in this regard. The game features a chilling soundtrack that complements the eerie atmosphere, with subtle musical cues that build suspense. The ambient sounds of creaking metal, distant echoes, and ghostly whispers contribute to the sense of isolation and danger.
The voice acting is generally strong, with the cast delivering convincing performances that add depth to the characters. However, there are instances where the dialogue can feel a bit stilted or clichéd, detracting slightly from the overall narrative experience.
Man of Medan revolves around a group of 5 young men, Alex, Brad, Julia, Conrad, and Fliss. They went off the coast of Polynesia (French) intending to discover the remains of a US Army B-29 plane that was shot down and sunk on the seabed.
Exploring the ruins, they learned that the plane was searching for something called “Manchurian Gold”.
Believing this to be a treasure, the group of youths planned to come and try the recorded coordinates to find it.
An unfortunate thing happened when the boat of 5 people was attacked by pirates. While threatening the youth, the pirates discovered the plan to find the “Manchurian Gold” and forced the group of young men to sail there.
Upon arrival, it was discovered that the recorded coordinates were for a forgotten American warship and that the entire crew had died for unknown reasons.
The insecurity is even higher when it seems that some force is stalking everyone, waiting for the opportunity to take their lives.
Now, the group of young people will have to find a way to survive the hunt of the mysterious force, as well as the aggression of the pirates, as they gradually lose their temper and wield their weapons.
The first good point of Man of Medan is that the game has led to a creepy and uncomfortable atmosphere.
The narrow and dark corridors on the abandoned ship are a suitable setting for creating anxiety when the player does not know what lies behind every turn.
Complementing the above factor, it is that the corridors on the ship are designed similarly. In adventure games, this will be a “minus point” because of creating a boring scene, but with a horror game, it has created a feeling of insecurity, that the player is stuck in a maze without escape and just fall prey to the mysterious force.
Besides, the force that is haunting the player is also remarkable.
If in House of Ashes and The Quarry (the latest product of Supermassive Games), the force that haunts the player is tangible, and we can identify it, then the force in Man of Medan is more “invisible”.
Invisibility here is not the type that no one can see, but their shape is not fixed, changing depending on the situation, and the individual. This forces players to calm down and think about what they’re seeing, to be able to make the right decisions. Because if the decision is wrong, loss of life is quite possible.
The game’s conflict is the treasure called “Manchurian Gold” and the Man of Medan has done a great job in creating this mystery.
Through the clues scattered throughout the wreckage of the ship and the B-29, we will be able to gradually piece together the events, and find out what happened to the ill-fated crew, as well as the forces that are haunting us.
However, finding these clues must be done proactively, because if only interested in getting from point A to point B, the player can complete the game without knowing what the mystery is.
Knowing the truth of “Manchurian Gold” also affects the mechanics of the game, which is because when we understand it, we will be able to access new options.
As an “Interactive Drama” game, the main value of Man of Medan has reflected in the variety of choices and consequences it brings to the player.
Multiple selections can only be opened by possessing certain items. However, if we have used the item in this location, we cannot use it in another location.
Some choices will have immediate consequences, some seemingly unrelated, but not until the end of the game.
Because of the above factors, exploring all options has helped Man of Medan have a relatively high replay value.
Further reinforcing this is the free DLC download “Curator’s Cut”. This content pack adds new scenes, new perspectives, and, of course, new options.
The duration of Man of Medan is relatively short, just under 4 hours, so the existence of “Curator’s Cut” will partly help our playing time increase.
where can you get a The Dark Pictures Anthology Man of Medan online
The Dark Pictures Anthology – Man of Medan – PlayStation 4: Buy it now
The Dark Pictures: Little Hope – Xbox One & Anthology – Man of Medan – Xbox One: Buy it now
The Dark Pictures Anthology – Man of Medan (PS4) (PS4): Buy it now
Conclusion
“The Dark Pictures Anthology: Man of Medan” is a solid entry into the horror genre, offering a compelling narrative, atmospheric visuals, and a unique multiplayer experience. While the game has its flaws, such as occasional graphical issues and the sometimes frustrating reliance on QTEs, it succeeds in delivering a tense, choice-driven horror experience. For fans of interactive horror games or those who enjoyed Supermassive Games’ previous title, “Until Dawn,” “Man of Medan” is well worth playing. With its branching narrative and multiple endings, it offers plenty of replay value, making it a game that can be revisited multiple times for different experiences.