Supermassive Games has given a release date for the first title in its Dark Pictures Anthology horror series, and it looks like it will be arriving in three months – on August 30, to be precise.
This first installment, titled Man of Medan, follows a group of divers during an adventure for WW2-era shipwrecks in the Pacific, which goes horribly wrong when they find themselves trapped within a ghost ship. They are then forced to confront the horrors aboard, and not all of the divers could end up surviving this trip.
Supermassive’s Dark Pictures Anthology series is their follow-up to the critically-acclaimed Until Dawn, a PlayStation 4 exclusive title. Like Until Dawn, Man of Medan plays out like an interactive drama horror series, where the game is more like a cinematic adventure. The only gameplay elements are a radial choice system, plus some quick-time events. Each choice made impacts the story later on in the game, so much so that not everyone in the group of friends could end up surviving, depending on your decisions. Check out the Repercussions trailer below, which also details some of the pre-order bonuses you can get for purchasing Man of Medan early.
The trailer shows off some of the choices you can make in-game, which lead you deeper into the mystery of the ship. This trailer gave me the distinct feel of something akin to The Shining, especially during the part in the ship’s ballroom. The game looks pretty atmospheric as well, with a good contrast between horrifyingly claustrophobic corridors and wide-open empty spaces dimly lit by the moonlight.
The trailer also offers details regarding a pre-order bonus which you can get if you purchase Man of Medan early. Pre-ordering will give you the Curator’s Cut for Man of Medan, which includes scenes that are not available immediately on the base game. You will also get to experience some scenes from different character perspectives and see how those play out in the larger focus of the plot. Finally, you get access to some new information and secrets for Man of Medan, and The Dark Pictures Anthology in general.
The Dark Pictures Anthology: Man of Medan is now available for pre-orders for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC. It is set to be released on August 30.
