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July 26, 2026Sources cited
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Entertainment • Video Game

Man of Medan

Man of Medan is a 2019 interactive drama and survival horror video game developed by Supermassive Games and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Man of Medan is a 2019 interactive drama and survival horror video game developed by Supermassive Games and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. It is the first game in The Dark Pictures Anthology and follows a group of young divers who become trapped on a ghost ship in the South Pacific. In Canada, the game is known through its publisher Bandai Namco Entertainment and the broader popularity of narrative horror games on consoles and PC.

Gameplay

Man of Medan uses cinematic, choice-driven gameplay with quick time events and branching narrative paths. The game supports single-player and multiplayer modes, and decisions can lead to different outcomes, including character deaths.

Plot

The story begins with a diving trip in the South Pacific that goes wrong after the group encounters pirates and becomes stranded on a ghost ship. The narrative draws on the legend of the SS Ourang Medan, a purported ghost ship from the 1940s.

Release and platforms

The game launched in 2019 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Windows. Enhanced or later ports were later released for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S in 2022, followed by a Nintendo Switch version in 2023.

Reception and series role

Man of Medan was positioned as the opening instalment of Supermassive Games’ anthology of standalone horror stories. It established the format later used by other entries in The Dark Pictures Anthology.

Key facts

  • Man of Medan is the first entry in The Dark Pictures Anthology.
  • Its story centres on five playable protagonists: four young Americans and their boat captain.
  • Gameplay includes quick time events, branching choices, and multiplayer modes.
  • Player decisions can change relationships, the story’s path, and which characters survive.
  • The plot involves a diving expedition, pirates, and a haunted ghost ship.
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Canadian context

Canadian readers may know it through its publisher, Bandai Namco Entertainment, and through the wider popularity of narrative horror games on console and PC in Canada.

Frequently asked questions

What kind of game is Man of Medan?
It is an interactive drama and survival horror game with branching choices, quick time events, and multiple endings.
Who developed and published Man of Medan?
It was developed by Supermassive Games and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment.
What is Man of Medan about?
It follows a group of divers whose trip in the South Pacific turns into a struggle for survival aboard a haunted ship.
What platforms is Man of Medan available on?
It was released on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Windows, with later versions on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch.
Is Man of Medan part of a series?
Yes. It is the first game in The Dark Pictures Anthology, a series of standalone horror games.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dark_Pictures_Anthology:_Man_of_Medan
    Supports: Developer, publisher, release year, platforms, genre, anthology status, plot details, later platform releases
  2. Supermassive Games — https://www.supermassivegames.com/games/man-of-medan
    Supports: Official description of premise, anthology status, characters, South Pacific setting
  3. Steam — https://store.steampowered.com/app/939850/The_Dark_Pictures_Anthology_Man_of_Medan/
    Supports: Series description, online co-op/multiplayer support, premise
  4. Common Sense Media — https://commonsensemedia.org/game-reviews/the-dark-pictures-anthology-man-of-medan
    Supports: Platforms, release date, genre, narrative structure, content descriptors
  5. IGN — https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/08/29/the-dark-pictures-man-of-medan-review
    Supports: Story premise, WW2 freighter/ghost ship setup, survival horror framing