The Medium, the first major Xbox Series X console exclusive, has launched both for purchase through the Microsoft Store and as part of the Xbox Game Pass subscription service. This is the latest major title from Bloober Team, developer ofBlair WitchandObserver, and is easily the studio’s most ambitious project to date, taking full advantage of the Xbox Series X’s next-gen capabilities. As the game is available from Game Pass at launch, many players may be wondering how longThe Mediumtakes to beat.
As others in the genre have proven, many horror games stay relatively short as not to drag out purposely minimal game mechanics. An example of this can be seen in 2020’sResident Evil 3remake, which clocked in at only five hours compared toResident Evil 2remake’s 8-10 hours. While many fans were disappointed in this, the decision was likely made becauseResident Evil 3is more of an extension ofResident Evil 2than a fully-fledged sequel, adding very little in the ways of new mechanics. Even recent mainline entries such asResident Evil 7cap off at around 10 hours.
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With this in mind, players can expect to put roughly five to eight hours intoThe Medium. This is actually the longest of all of Bloober Team’s games so far, with the runner-ups beingObserverand its expanded re-release,Observer: System Redux, which both come in at around six hours long. Despite this, the extra resources forThe Mediumshow in the game’s presentation, as it uses a third-person, fixed camera perspective similar to the likes of the originalSilent HillandResident Eviltitles. The game also features performances from the likes ofThe Last of Us' Troy Bakerand Polish actor Marcin Dorociński.
Speaking ofSilent Hill,The Mediumalso features music composed by Akira Yamaoka, famed composer and sound director of the entireSilent Hillseries (sansSilent Hill: Downpour,) including the feature films. The game alsoreunites Yamaoka with vocalist Mary Elizabeth-McGlynnfor three tracks on the game’s soundtrack, and is composed in collaboration withObservercomposer Arkadiusz Reikowski.
While some fans may be disappointed thatThe Mediumis on the shorter end, it is worth mentioning that the game prioritizes puzzle solving, not featuring any combat sequences whatsoever. The game is also available from launch in Xbox Game Pass, which means playerscan choose not to pay the full $49.99to experience the entire game, instead either taking advantage of the three-months for $1 trial or by playing it as part of their current subscription on either PC or Xbox Series X/S.
The Mediumis available now, exclusively for PC and Xbox Series X/S.
