The Dark Pictures Anthology: Man of Medan Review (MattJPH)
Man of Medan is the first entry in season one of the Dark Pictures Anthology, delivering a horror movie experience adapted into video game format with light gameplay that recalls the charm of ‘90s FMV and PS1 horror.
The story and characters are well-crafted, though they sometimes struggle to stay fully committed to the horror vibe. There are moments when humor undermines the tension, reducing the scare factor. Even so, the writing and performances are strong, building a likable group of main characters. The plot is engaging, centering on four friends who, during a scuba trip, get entangled in a thrilling mix of modern piracy, paranormal encounters, occult themes, and alternate military history. It’s a wild blend, yet it comes together well with a sense of mystery. An overarching narrative is tied together by a character called "The Curator," who guides the player through the story, offering cryptic hints and eerie observations that link the anthology.
The motion capture work is top-notch, especially in the facial animations, which showcase subtle, realistic emotions. Every line of dialogue was mocapped to the voice actors’ faces, bringing the characters to life without the exaggerated mocap quirks of older games. Man of Medan is visually stunning, with fantastic facial animations, character design, and eerie environmental work. The dimly lit ship setting is brooding and spooky, with foggy, shadow-filled spaces illuminated by flashlights. Wet surfaces glisten, and a rust-tinged mist fills the ship. The sound design enhances the experience, with screeching violins, creaking environments, dripping water, and howling wind that all contribute to a truly atmospheric horror setting.
While jump scares are the primary scare tactic, the game builds tension through its environment and sound design. Props in the foreground and background, along with depth-of-field effects, guide your eyes toward subtle movements at the edges of the screen, heightening the unsettling atmosphere.
There are some downsides: The tank-style controls feel outdated and cumbersome, limiting the flow of movement and exploration. It’s reminiscent of PS1-era control schemes, where you often find yourself awkwardly bumping into walls or struggling with slow, imprecise flashlight controls. Additionally, there’s no option to skip dialogue or cutscenes, which can be frustrating on repeat playthroughs when you want to make new choices without rewatching every scene.
Despite these drawbacks, I genuinely enjoyed my time with Man of Medan. As a fan of the horror genre, this game felt like a solid horror movie with both an engaging plot and satisfying scares, all wrapped up in an interactive choose-your-own-adventure format.