Info about The Medium:

Official game description:
**You are Marianne, a medium haunted by visions you cannot explain. Drawn to an abandoned communist-era resort, you set out to uncover the origins of your powers and solve the mystery that has followed you your entire life.**
Your gift allows you to interact with two worlds simultaneously. The physical realm shows you the remnants of what once was, while the spirit world reveals what lies beneath the surface: hidden truths, lingering emotions, and horrors born from tragedy. As you walk between these realities, you will use your abilities to investigate, solve puzzles, and protect yourself from threats that only someone like you can perceive.
In this haunting tale brought to you by the masters of horror at Bloober Team, every step forward brings you closer to the heart of a story shaped by trauma, sorrow and the echoes of the past.
Game Features:
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*   **Wield Your Dual Realit**y – Experience a unique dual-perspective mechanic that lets you explore two worlds at once. Shift between realms or navigate both simultaneously to uncover secrets invisible to others.
*   **Harness Medium Powers** – Use your supernatural abilities to manipulate the environment, shield yourself from hostile forces, and unleash spirit blasts to break through obstacles or escape deadly entities.
*   **Descend Into the Spirit World** – Enter a haunting dimension inspired by nightmarish art and distorted memories. Encounter tormented souls, navigate twisted landscapes, and confront a relentless being that feeds on fear.
*   **Uncover a Dark Mystery** – Piece together a story that spans both worlds. Explore abandoned halls, forgotten chambers, and memories left behind to understand the origins of the resort – and your own past.

Release date: Jan 28, 2021

Categories: Psychological Horror, Walking Simulator, Fixed-Camera Perspective, Dual-world Exploration, Puzzle Solving, Atmospheric Horror, Stealth Gameplay, Story Rich

Feature scans:
- MTX: score 10; verdict: Fair / No In-Game Monetization Evidence; summary: The reviews focus on short playtime, a high upfront price relative to length, and hopes for DLC or a sequel. No review provides direct evidence that this game sells in-game purchases, paid currency, loot boxes, paid power, convenience items, or a battle pass. General remarks about multiplayer microtransactions and pay-to-win games refer to the wider industry rather than this title. The audit therefore finds no predatory real-money monetization evidence and limits the score to the fair range.
- Wiki: score 50; verdict: TIER 3 - THE STUDENT; summary: The primary barrier is instructional data: users repeatedly cite walkthroughs, guides, and wikis to solve puzzles, reorient in the story, find secrets or collectibles, or understand intended actions. There is no clear evidence of drop-rate or loot-table farming needs, nor of inventory, selling, or crafting-planning data needs. Technical alt-tab and glitch issues appear but are secondary. Under the strict priority rules, Tier 3 evidence is present, so the score is 50.
- Proton/Linux: score 50; verdict: Tinkering Required; summary: Linux/Proton feedback is mixed. Multiple users report successful launches, stable play, and completion through SteamPlay/Proton, but other reviews explicitly describe poor Linux/Proton performance and compatibility, and one notes that the right Proton version plus settings or workarounds may be needed. The evidence supports a playable but tinkering-prone Linux experience rather than a broken one.
- Steam Deck: score 75; verdict: Broken on Steam Deck; summary: The Steam Deck evidence is mixed but skews negative: several users report the game will not run natively, requires specific Proton versions or workarounds, crashes or freezes, and suffers severe split-screen frame drops even when playable at a 30 FPS cap. Settings persistence issues add repeated configuration friction. Positive reports exist, and no direct evidence in this dataset points to small-text readability, external launchers, or battery drain. Because one review states the game does not run at all on Steam Deck and another user was forced to finish on desktop, the experience falls in the Broken score band.

- Hardware Profile:
  - Summary: Performance is inconsistent across hardware cohorts: lower-VRAM users are mostly positive with caveats, mid-range reports are mixed, and high-VRAM systems still report severe stutter and instability.
  - Sample size: 158 (2% coverage)
  - Audience skew: Review sample is heavily weighted toward Windows PCs with 10GB+ VRAM.
  - Windows 12-15GB VRAM (mixed, 59 reports): Reports are mixed: some users run fine, especially on DX11, while others cite stutter, poor DX12 performance, and ray-tracing bugs.
  - Windows <8GB VRAM (positive, 43 reports): Included reviews recommend the game, though users note some stutter, occasional FPS drops, and uneven optimization on 8GB VRAM hardware.
  - Windows 8-11GB VRAM (mixed, 31 reports): Some users get 50-60 FPS with occasional drops, while others report severe stuttering, artifacts, and poor optimization.
  - Windows 16GB+ VRAM (negative, 17 reports): High-end hardware still reports severe stutter, low FPS, and crashes, with ray tracing especially demanding.
  - Caveats: 158 of 10421 reviews expose hardware metadata.; Review sample is heavily weighted toward Windows PCs with 10GB+ VRAM.
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $20.00 - $30.00
  - Reasoning: The reviews repeatedly criticize the current full price as too high for a short, linear game with little replay value. The most common acceptable thresholds cluster around $20-$30: some reviewers cap it near $25, others say $30 or less is a good deal, and another says under £20 is solid. Although a few players defend full price, the dominant community sentiment is that the fair base-game value is below the $49.99 asking price and closer to a $20-$30 range.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 9.0h
  - Story completion: 9.0h
  - Session length: 4.5h
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: Multiple English reviews give explicit first-run completion times of about 10, 9.5, and 8.3 hours, and many other reports cluster around 8-10 hours; this supports an estimated gameCompletion of about 9 hours. Because The Medium is described as a linear story-driven game with one main playthrough, storyCompletion is treated as the same approximate 9-hour campaign. The quote about finishing in two sittings, combined with an approximately 8-9 hour completion estimate, supports a typical sessionLength of about 4.5 hours. Endgame is left null because the provided evidence does not quantify a distinct post-story or endgame phase; reviews focus on the single first-run campaign.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: Reports are split, but the most direct progression evidence points to a slow, friction-heavy opening that becomes rewarding for story-focused players in later sections; some players instead report that enjoyment fades late.
  - Stance: Clicks after
  - Anchor: The later story, especially the final third
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: Slow, boring opening; Tedious and repetitive walking/gameplay; Easy or repetitive puzzles with poor hints; Fixed camera angles and clunky navigation; Tedious stealth sections; Stutters and poor PC optimization
  - Unlock drivers: Story becomes more compelling in later sections; The split-world mechanic adds substance to the story and puzzles; Atmosphere and visual design make progression worth continuing
  - Conditions: Interest in story and mystery over combat or challenge; Tolerance for slow walking-sim pacing; Patience with PC performance and optimization problems; Playing in short bursts to avoid boredom; Playing with friends watching and theorizing; Expectation of old-school adventure/exploration
- Player Archetypes:
  - Cinematic Story Seeker (buy)
    - Motivation: To experience an emotional, well-written narrative with memorable characters and a satisfying mystery.
    - Playstyle: Explores at a slow pace, solves light environmental puzzles, and treats the game as an interactive film rather than an action challenge.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Old-School Horror Veteran (sale)
    - Motivation: To recapture the atmosphere and design language of classic survival-horror games.
    - Playstyle: Plays methodically, compares camera and puzzle design to older horror titles, and tolerates slow pacing for nostalgic tension.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Silent Hill; Resident Evil
  - Atmosphere and Art Immersion Seeker (buy)
    - Motivation: To immerse themselves in striking art direction, sound design, and a haunting cinematic mood.
    - Playstyle: Moves slowly through environments, notices visual and audio details, and values mood over challenge or action.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Silent Hill
  - Performance-Conscious Bargain Hunter (deep sale)
    - Motivation: To get a technically smooth and fairly priced experience before committing to the purchase.
    - Playstyle: Checks system requirements and performance reports, waits for sales or patches, and may try the game through Game Pass rather than buying at full price.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: deep sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Engaging and well-written story (weight 0.34): The story is frequently described as interesting, gripping, and well-crafted. Players find it immersive and captivating from beginning to end.
- Stunning visual presentation (weight 0.29): Players consistently praise the beautiful graphics, gorgeous game world, and impressive visual design. The visual quality is a major highlight and often described as breathtaking and atmospheric.
- Excellent soundtrack and sound design (weight 0.29): The music and sound design are highly regarded, with special mention of Akira Yamaoka's contribution. The audio enhances the overall atmosphere and immersion.
- Immersive and creepy atmosphere (weight 0.28): The game's atmosphere is frequently described as excellent, haunting, and creepy. It effectively creates tension and a sense of horror throughout.
- Overall positive game quality (weight 0.2): Many reviewers consider the game very good, fun, and a masterpiece worth the price. The general sentiment is highly favorable with strong recommendations.
- Enjoyable and logical puzzles (weight 0.2): The puzzles are considered intuitive, enjoyable, and well-integrated. They are not overly difficult, making them accessible while still engaging.
- Unique dual-reality gameplay (weight 0.19): The split-screen mechanic allowing simultaneous exploration of two worlds is praised as innovative and refreshing. This distinctive feature enhances puzzle solving and navigation.
- Strong Silent Hill resemblance (weight 0.11): Many players note strong similarities to the Silent Hill series in atmosphere, music, and story. This resemblance is seen as a positive inspiration rather than a flaw.

Common complaints:
- Clunky Movement and Controls (weight 0.18): Movement and controls are described as clunky, sluggish, and stiff, particularly with keyboard and mouse. This makes the game feel rough to play.
- Disappointing Ending (weight 0.17): The ending is frequently described as unsatisfying, underwhelming, and sending the wrong message. It leaves a bad taste and feels confusing or flat.
- Poor Optimization (weight 0.16): Optimization is widely criticized as mediocre or broken, with reports of frame drops and low FPS even on high-end hardware. Performance issues are a recurring problem.
- Problematic Fixed Camera (weight 0.13): The fixed camera angle causes players to miss details, walk into walls, and struggle with navigation. It makes the game feel dated and frustrating.
- Game Too Short (weight 0.12): Multiple reviews consistently note that the game is very short, with some citing playtimes around 8 hours. Players wished the experience were longer, making length a common complaint.
- Repetitive and Boring Gameplay (weight 0.11): Gameplay is often called boring, repetitive, and tedious, especially in the middle section. Many feel it becomes drawn out and monotonous.
- Split-Screen Performance Issues (weight 0.09): Split-screen sections suffer from severe frame drops and sub-20 FPS, significantly impacting performance during those moments.
- Mediocre Story (weight 0.08): The story is considered weak, vaguely expressed, and not engaging, falling short of an impressive level.
- Not Scary Enough (weight 0.07): The game is criticized for lacking scares and having very few jump scares. Monsters are not frightening, reducing the horror experience.
- Overly Linear Design (weight 0.06): The game is very linear with no meaningful choices or optional paths, limiting player agency and exploration.
- Poor Character Animations (weight 0.06): Character animations are criticized as poor, stiff, and comical, particularly the walking and running animations.
- Lack of Polish Dubbing (weight 0.06): The game lacks Polish dubbing despite being from a Polish studio, which is a notable omission for some players.

Gameplay feedback:
- Split-screen dual reality (weight 0.64): The game splits the screen to show the real world and spirit world simultaneously, with many reviewers describing this as the core visual and gameplay hook. This dual-reality presentation appears in multiple clusters and is central to how the game is structured.
- Two-world exploration mechanic (weight 0.24): Players move between the real world and the spirit world, sometimes simultaneously, and must account for elements in each to progress. This dual-world concept drives puzzle-solving and narrative progression.
- Simple puzzle-solving gameplay (weight 0.23): Puzzle-solving is a core element, but most players describe the puzzles as basic and low in difficulty. Item collection and exploration support the puzzle mechanics throughout the game.
- Walking simulator structure (weight 0.22): Many reviewers describe the game as a walking simulator with linear, narrative-driven progression and slow movement. Some note that it leans closer to an interactive movie than an action game.
- Fixed camera angles (weight 0.22): Players consistently note the use of classic fixed camera angles reminiscent of older Silent Hill and Resident Evil games, with no free camera rotation. This old-school presentation is one of the most frequently mentioned gameplay characteristics.
- Horror narrative focus (weight 0.21): The game is widely categorized as a psychological horror or survival horror experience with a strong story emphasis. Reviewers highlight its modern take on old-school horror and its slow-paced, atmospheric tension.
- Split-screen stealth sections (weight 0.2): During dual-world moments, split-screen is used for stealth sections where accessible areas and mechanics change between worlds. This adds a tactical layer to the split-screen mechanic.
- No combat encounters (weight 0.11): Reviewers repeatedly mention the complete absence of combat, with only running and clumsy evasion during chase sequences. This reinforces the game's focus on narrative and puzzle-solving over action.
- Monster chase sequences (weight 0.11): The game includes scripted chase and hide-and-seek sequences where monsters pursue the player. These sections require specific actions and add tension to the otherwise slow-paced experience.

Performance notes:
- Frequent FPS drops, especially split-screen (weight 0.24): Frame rate drops are a recurring problem, particularly during split-screen dual-reality scenes where FPS can halve or fall below 30.
- Mediocre PC optimization (weight 0.19): Many players report that overall optimization is lacking and could be improved, with performance issues even on capable hardware.
- Inconsistent performance across hardware (weight 0.15): While some setups run the game smoothly at 60 FPS or higher, others experience instability and drops, highlighting inconsistent optimization.
- High-end GPUs struggle (weight 0.13): Even powerful cards like the RTX 3080, 3080 Ti, and 3090 experience low frame rates and drops below 60 FPS under demanding settings.
- Minor frame drops in specific scenes (weight 0.09): Occasional FPS drops occur in visually intense sections or cutscenes, sometimes dropping to 15–20 FPS.
- Crashes on DirectX 12 (weight 0.07): Several users report the game crashing when running in DX12 mode, sometimes repeatedly.
- Steam Deck performance varies (weight 0.05): On Steam Deck, frame rates range from 11 to 50 FPS, with some users finding it playable only when capped at 30 FPS.

Recommendations:
- Strong recommendation overall (weight 0.25): Many reviewers give a clear positive recommendation, often with high praise and thumbs up. This sentiment appears across numerous clusters and is the most common conclusion.
- Buy only on discount (weight 0.24): A recurring theme is that the game is worth purchasing only at a reduced price. Reviewers explicitly advise against buying at full price and recommend waiting for a sale.
- Positive but not for everyone (weight 0.17): Some reviewers give a general recommendation while noting it may not suit all tastes. They suggest giving it a chance, especially if the genre appeals.
- Appeals to Silent Hill fans (weight 0.17): Many reviewers recommend the game specifically to fans of Silent Hill and similar psychological horror titles. The atmosphere and dual-reality mechanics are often compared to those games.
- Worth playing for horror fans (weight 0.16): The game is recommended to horror enthusiasts broadly, including those new to the genre. It is seen as a worthwhile experience for fans of horror and mystery.
- Story-driven experience praised (weight 0.15): Reviewers highlight the engaging and compelling story, recommending it to those who prioritize narrative over gameplay. Emotional and thought-provoking stories are frequently mentioned.
- Not for action seekers (weight 0.1): Reviewers caution that the game is not an action-packed shooter and lacks intense frightening gameplay. It is more of a walking simulator, so those seeking adrenaline may be disappointed.
- Psychological horror and puzzles (weight 0.09): The game is especially recommended for fans of psychological horror and puzzle elements. Its narrative-driven nature and scare moments are highlighted as strengths.
- Some strongly negative reviews (weight 0.09): A minority of reviewers do not recommend the game at all, expressing regret and advising others to stay away. These opinions are less common but notable.
- Controller strongly recommended (weight 0.04): A specific tip from multiple reviewers is to use a gamepad instead of keyboard and mouse for a better experience. This is a practical recommendation for new players.

Other player notes:
- Heavily compared to Silent Hill (weight 0.29): Reviewers repeatedly compare the game to Silent Hill in atmosphere, story, and mechanics, often calling it a tribute or homage.
- Short playtime around 8-10 hours (weight 0.22): Many reviewers mention the game takes about 8 to 10 hours to complete, with some considering it short.
- Polish setting and developer (weight 0.18): The game is set in Poland and developed by Polish studio Bloober Team, with some noting the lack of Polish dubbing or text.
- Strong demand for sequel (weight 0.18): Many reviewers express a clear desire for a sequel, sometimes citing the ending as a hint.
- Soundtrack by Akira Yamaoka (weight 0.17): The soundtrack is frequently praised and noted as composed by Akira Yamaoka, known for Silent Hill, often with Mary Elizabeth McGlynn.
- Bloober Team's previous games (weight 0.13): Reviewers often reference Bloober Team's prior titles like Layers of Fear, Observer, and Blair Witch when discussing the game.
- Developed by Layers of Fear team (weight 0.08): The game is made by the developers behind Layers of Fear, and some reviewers connect this to their work on the Silent Hill 2 remake.
- Visual style inspired by Beksinski (weight 0.06): The game's art direction is frequently described as inspired by or a love letter to Zdzisław Beksiński's works.
- High PC requirements (weight 0.06): Several reviewers note that the game requires a powerful PC to run properly.
- Compared to classic adventure games (weight 0.05): A few reviewers compare the gameplay to old point-and-click adventures like Syberia and The Longest Journey.
- Low replayability (weight 0.05): Several reviewers note that the game has little to no replay value.
- Mixed review scores around 6-7 (weight 0.05): Some reviewers give the game a score of 6 or 7 out of 10, indicating a mixed reception.
- Ray tracing and lighting praised (weight 0.05): The game features ray tracing and strong lighting effects, which some reviewers highlight as impressive.
- Compared to old Resident Evil (weight 0.05): Some reviewers compare the game to classic Resident Evil titles, often in terms of gameplay or atmosphere.

Emotions:
- Disappointment (weight 0.13): Players are disappointed by poor gameplay, an underwhelming ending, and a lack of genuine horror. They expected a psychological horror experience but found tedious mechanics, technical issues, and an unsatisfying story.
- Frustration (weight 0.11): Frustration stems from technical problems like frame drops, crashes, and progress-blocking bugs. Awkward fixed-camera controls, slow movement, and trial-and-error chase sequences further aggravate players.
- Admiration (weight 0.07): Players admire the stunning art direction, atmospheric horror, and strong storytelling. The dual-world mechanic, Akira Yamaoka's soundtrack, and Troy Baker's performance are frequently praised.
- Appreciation (weight 0.06): Players appreciate the unique dual-world mechanic, atmospheric presentation, and thoughtful handling of Polish history and folklore. Bloober Team's passion and the game's cohesive vision are highlighted.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.06): Enjoyment comes from the engaging story, atmospheric horror, and innovative split-screen gameplay. Players particularly like the puzzle solving and the immersive dual-reality experience.
- Annoyance (weight 0.04): Annoyance is caused by clunky controls, awkward camera angles, and technical issues like stutters and audio bugs. Slow movement and poorly integrated gameplay elements also irritate players.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.04): Satisfaction arises from a well-told story, good atmosphere, and satisfying conclusions. Players feel the experience was worthwhile despite some technical flaws.
- Excitement (weight 0.03): Excitement is driven by the unique dual-world mechanic, engaging story, and scary monsters. Players are thrilled by plot twists and the fresh take on horror.
- Boredom (weight 0.03): Boredom results from slow pacing, tedious puzzles, and repetitive gameplay. The game often feels like a walking simulator with little interaction.
- Love (weight 0.02): Players love the game's story, characters, atmosphere, and unique dual-world mechanic. The emotional depth and visual style resonate strongly.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.02): Enthusiasm is fueled by the game's originality, gripping story, and immersive atmosphere. Players highly recommend it for its unique gameplay and narrative.
- Engagement (weight 0.02): Engagement comes from a compelling and mysterious story that keeps players hooked. The narrative's depth and twists encourage continued play.
- Immersion (weight 0.02): Immersion is created by the haunting atmosphere, detailed environments, and dual-reality gameplay. Players feel deeply involved in the story and setting.
- Interest (weight 0.02): Interest is sparked by the unusual plot and the innovative dual-screen mechanic. Players are curious to see how the story unfolds.
- Sadness (weight 0.01): Sadness is evoked by the emotional story, themes of trauma and loss, and bittersweet ending. Players feel for the characters and the game's melancholic tone.
- Fear (weight 0.01): Fear is generated by the terrifying Maw, scary atmosphere, and harrowing chase sequences. The game's sound design and monster encounters create genuine dread.
- Surprise (weight 0.01): Surprise stems from the game exceeding expectations, especially given initial doubts. The quality of the story and execution caught players off guard.
- Mild disappointment (weight 0.01): Mild disappointment is due to underutilized dual-reality mechanics, short length, and performance issues. The game feels somewhat unpolished in certain areas.
- Dissatisfaction (weight 0.01): Dissatisfaction arises from poor controls, optimization problems, and an unclear ending. The story's fragmented nature and technical issues detract from the experience.
- Anger (weight 0.01): Anger is caused by game-breaking bugs, poor performance, and frustrating chase sequences. Players feel punished by design choices and unresolved technical issues.}