Is The Medium a Short Game? A Comprehensive Look at Playtime and More
The question of whether The Medium is a short game is a common one, especially for those considering diving into this psychological horror title. The straightforward answer is: yes, The Medium is a relatively short game. Most players can expect to complete the main storyline in approximately five to eight hours. However, this timeframe can vary depending on individual playstyles, exploration habits, and the desire to uncover all of the game’s secrets. If you aim to find every hidden detail and solve every puzzle, you’re likely looking at closer to seven to eight hours of gameplay. Compared to sprawling open-world adventures, The Medium offers a concise and focused experience.
Gameplay Duration: What Affects Your Playtime?
The Core Experience
The core gameplay experience in The Medium is quite streamlined. It’s a third-person psychological horror adventure that primarily focuses on narrative, puzzle-solving, and atmosphere. The game employs a unique dual-reality mechanic, allowing players to navigate two separate worlds simultaneously. This creates intriguing puzzles and exploration opportunities that are generally designed to be accessible and engaging without being overly challenging.
Exploration and Completionism
While the core storyline is relatively short, your playtime can be extended if you choose to explore each area thoroughly. The Medium is packed with environmental storytelling and hidden secrets. Those who are keen to discover every collectible item, read every document, and fully unravel the game’s complex narrative will spend more time in each location. Completionists will naturally stretch their playtime closer to that seven to eight-hour mark.
Puzzle Solving and Pace
The difficulty of puzzles in The Medium is not particularly high. As noted by critics, these puzzles are deeply intertwined with the narrative, making the journey more significant than the puzzles themselves. However, the pace at which you solve these puzzles will contribute to your overall playtime. Players who take their time to analyze the environments and the dual-reality will spend more time on each puzzle, ultimately lengthening their gameplay.
Understanding the Game’s Design and Scope
Linear Structure
The Medium is fundamentally a linear experience. This means you won’t find vast open worlds or branching paths. Instead, the game is designed with a specific narrative trajectory in mind, guiding the player from one location to the next. This linear design contributes to the overall shorter playtime, as there’s little opportunity for getting sidetracked.
Focus on Storytelling
Bloober Team, the developer behind The Medium, has focused heavily on crafting a compelling narrative and atmospheric experience. The game’s design is less about extending playtime through difficult challenges and more about immersing players in its rich and eerie world. This focus on narrative also contributes to the shorter runtime.
Quality Over Quantity
The Medium is a title that prioritizes quality over quantity. The shorter playtime means that the developers have concentrated their efforts on crafting a tighter, more polished experience. This approach might appeal to gamers who enjoy well-crafted, concise adventures.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What Type of Game is The Medium?
The Medium is a third-person psychological horror game known for its unique dual-reality gameplay. It also features an original soundtrack co-composed by Arkadiusz Reikowski and Akira Yamaoka.
2. How Hard is The Medium Game?
The Medium isn’t considered a particularly challenging game in terms of gameplay mechanics. The puzzles are not overly difficult, and the game’s focus is more on the unfolding story than overcoming significant hurdles.
3. Is The Medium Disturbing?
The Medium can be disturbing due to its narrative elements which involve a horrifying story and some intense themes.
4. Is The Medium Worth It?
The Medium is considered a significant entry in the psychological horror genre from Bloober Team. It’s an experience that horror fans will likely appreciate, regardless of its length.
5. Does The Medium Game Have Jumpscares?
The Medium has very few jumpscares, with only one that is genuinely surprising and effective due to its unexpected nature.
6. Is The Medium a AAA Game?
The Medium is indeed considered a AAA horror game, reflecting the high-production value and attention to detail typical of big-budget titles.
7. How Big is The Medium Game?
The Medium requires 55 GB of storage space on PC and only 23.1 GB on Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S.
8. Is The Medium Based on a True Story?
The Medium is fictional, though it’s presented with elements of found footage style, making it feel more realistic.
9. Is The Medium a Horror Game?
Yes, The Medium is classified as a psychological horror game with a focus on atmosphere, tension, and narrative-driven fear.
10. Is The Medium Like Resident Evil?
The Medium is comparable to the creepier aspects of the Resident Evil series, delving into the protagonist’s psyche and delivering psychological horror.
11. Does The Medium Have Puzzles?
Yes, The Medium features puzzles that are interwoven with the dual-reality gameplay mechanics. These puzzles are used to progress the story, navigate the world, and interact with the game’s supernatural elements.
12. Is The Medium Game Linear?
Yes, The Medium is a fairly linear game, meaning the path and story are mostly predetermined. This contributes to its shorter playtime and focus on storytelling.
13. Is The Medium a Stealth Game?
The Medium does have stealth segments that alternate with other gameplay mechanics like puzzle-solving.
14. Is The Medium a Walking Simulator?
While some gameplay involves exploration and item collection, The Medium is not primarily a walking simulator. It does share elements but focuses more heavily on puzzle solving and narrative.
15. What is the message of The Medium game?
The Medium aims to convey the message that “there is no universal truth“, exploring the complexities of reality and perception through its dual-world mechanic.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Medium is undoubtedly a shorter gaming experience compared to many other titles in the market. Its gameplay, designed to focus on narrative and atmosphere, ensures a well-paced and engaging experience within that shorter timeframe. If you’re looking for a concise, psychological horror adventure that’s heavy on storytelling and unique mechanics, then The Medium is well worth your time. Its focused design provides a compelling experience without overstaying its welcome, making it an ideal choice for gamers who value quality over quantity.