Man of Medanis a new interactive movie and graphic adventure from Supermassive Games. Their previous titles in theUntil Dawnseries were exclusives on the PlayStation 4 and PSVR. Now, the developers have started a new series calledThe Dark Picturesand the first episode isMan of Medan.
Man of Medanhas taken inspiration from the urban legend surrounding the shipwrecked SS Ourang Medan. According to the legend, its entire crew was found deceased with their faces frozen in twisted expressions despite having no injuries.
It’s an amazing premise for a horror scenario and the game’s interactive take on storytelling is an appealing way for horror fans to find out if they can make better decisions than the characters on screen.
One of the appealing things about games likeMan of Medanis that it doesn’t really require fast-twitch reflexes beyond some quick-time events and the player can feel like they’re watching a show. The genre is appealing to both serious and casual gamers and similar mechanics can be found in other games too.
10Life is Strange
Life is Strangewas originally released as digital episodes in 2015 but received in a full retail release in 2016. The game is a graphic adventure and coming of age story centered on Max a photography student that has the ability to rewind time.
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Her abilities also function as the game’s innovative main gameplay mechanic allowing the player to rewind time at any point and redo actions to get different results in the branching conversations. The exemplary writing won several awards the year of its release, and it was followed by a prequelLife is Strange: Before the Stormand the sequelLife is Strange 2.
9The Wolf Among Us
Developed by Telltale Games The Wolf Among Us is a graphic adventure game based on the dark fantasy comic seriesFablesby Bill Willingham. The game is a murder mystery set twenty years before the comics and takes place in Fabletown, an enclave for non-human characters based on mythology and fairytales.
As with other Telltale titles and similarly toMan of Medanthe player’s decisions impact the direction ofThe Wolf Among Us’story. In addition, the action sequences are played through the use of quick-time events.
8Detroit: Become Human
Developers Quantic Dreams solidified their reputation for developing some of the most unique graphic adventure games on the market. Their previous games likeHeavy RainandBeyond Two Soulswhile visually stunning were amongst the PlayStation’s most polarizing exclusives.
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Their most recent effortDetroit: Become Humanis by far the developer’s best most approachable yet. Backed up by some of the best visuals this generation, the game’s stellar performances, stunningBlade Runner-like setting, and choices that actually matter make this game a great match for those looking for something similar toMan of Medan.
7Oxenfree: Director’s Cut
Oxenfreeis the first game from indie developers Night School a studio founded by former members of Telltale Games. It’s a supernatural graphic adventure and horror story about five school friends having one last adventure together before heading off to college.
The group eventually find themselves on a spooky island with an abandoned military base where their presence has triggered the spirits that dwell there. Its group dynamic, focus on relationships and dialogue choices put will make it appealing to fans ofMan of Medan,
6Corpse Party
Despite its simplisticRPG Makervisuals,Corpse Partyis an incredibly effective survival horror and visual novel. The game takes place in a haunted school and likeMan of Medanit focuses on a group dynamic, only here the characters are high school students.
What the game lacks in visuals it makes up for in its effective sound design and the creepy atmosphere. In addition, there are multiple choices, outcomes and, endings meaning that every experience could be a different one.
5The Walking Dead
Developed by Telltale GamesThe Walking Deadwas by far the now-defunct studio’s most successful graphic adventure series. Taking visual inspiration from the graphic novels, the games crafted their own unique story thatmany fans found superior to the TV show.
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Released as episodesThe Walking Deadgames achieved a lot of critical acclaim over its four seasons and theMichonnethree-part mini-series.Just likethe Wolf Among Uschoices play a huge part in how the story develops and how characters react across each episode, and different choices can provide players with a vastly different experience.
4The Council
The Councilis a modern graphic adventure which not only draws inspiration from the point-and-click adventures of old and blends it with RPG mechanics. The game’s story centers on a member of an 18th-century secret society named Louis de Richet who’s investigating a lead on his missing mother.
The RPG mechanics allow the player to strengthen their character’s knowledge base whether it’s psychology, politics, diversion or occultism. In addition, the player can choose to put points into physical traits too which will give Louis access to certain areas in the game he wouldn’t otherwise have.
3The Nonary Games
TheNonary Gamesseries which also known astheZero Escapeseriesis a trilogy of games that were released on the PlayStation Vita, Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation 4, and PC. The first entryNine Hours, Nine Persons Nine Doorswas released in 2009 and set a standard for narrative and graphic adventure games.
The games follow a non-linear format allowing for multiple choices and narrative paths. Each game has a similar premise to theSawfilm franchise where several characters are kidnapped and wake up in a facility where they are forced to participate in sadistic puzzle games.
2AI: The Somnium Files
AI: The Somnium Filesis a recent graphic adventure fromZero Escapeseries writer Kotaro Uchikoshi. Instead of the dark horror-themed setting of Uchikoshi’s last series,AI: The Sonmium Filesis a futuristic detective series that is set in Tokyo.
However, despite the setting, the game still deals with very dark themes as the protagonist is tracking down a serial killer. The game takes inspiration from modern graphic adventure games likeThe Walking DeadandLife is Strangeand has multiple endings and narrative choices.
1Until Dawn
Gamers that lovedMan of Medanand want to play a similar game with the same incredible production values gamers need to look no further thanUntil Dawn.Released exclusively for the PlayStation 4Until Dawnwas developed by Supermassive Games the same team behindMan of Medan.
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Like their newest title, it features a diverse cast of characters withbranching narrative choices that make the player feel like they are the director of their own horror movie.Until Dawnalso has two PSVR titles, the spin-offUntil Dawn: Rush of Bloodand the prequelThe Inpatientwhich expanded its universe.
NEXT:The 5 Best Things About Man Of Medan (& The 5 Worst)
