The Medium Guide

While Halloween may be far from over, the spooks are starting early this year with the impending, highly-anticipated release of The Medium, a new psychological horror title from developer Bloober Team.

It's also going to be one of the very first Xbox Series X|S console exclusives, with no suggestion of a last-gen version in the works. With that in mind, plenty of us will be looking to get in the mood for The Medium and play some horror games over the next few weeks, and luckily, Xbox Game Pass is the perfect antidote.

We've compiled a short list of Xbox Game Pass titles to dive into before The Medium releases, focusing on getting you in an early, terrifying mood before The Medium undoubtedly keeps us up at night. Enjoy!

Blair Witch (Xbox One)

Why not start with one of Bloober Team's very own? Blair Witch released back in 2019 and immediately struck a chord with many horror veterans. While filled with many demons and other nasties, the most horrifying part of Blair Witch is the its sense of claustrophobia, despite being set in a forest.

It's not long before you're lost in the woods and the sheer sense of panic washes over you like a tsunami. The further you venture in, the more lost you become. It's a truly a terrifying situation, and despite being a movie tie-in, this is definitely some of Bloober Team's best work. Check it out!

The Dark Pictures Anthology: Man Of Medan (Xbox One)

If you're wanting something short and sweet to tide you over one evening, then The Dark Pictures Anthology: Man of Medan is a sure bet. Similar to many Telltale games, the title focuses on making narrative based decisions, rather than simply being an all guns blazing gore fest.

Its slow, methodical plot gets under your skin, and with the added bonus of being able to share the adventure with friends - both offline and online - it's easily one of the easiest recommendations on this list.

Dead Space (Xbox 360)

While the entire Dead Space trilogy is now available to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members through EA Play, we recommend the first entry in particular. This is the one that set off the cult classic series and managed to reignite the third-person horror that we'd all come to love.

What makes Dead Space more terrifying is the reliance on precision. The Necromorphs that roam the abandoned space station can't simply be taken down by pumping bullets into them, instead they require limbs to be carefully dissected with accurate shots. It all adds to the tension, and it's certainly enough to get you in the mood for The Medium.

Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice (Xbox One)

If there's one thing Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice has going for it, it's sound design. While it may not be the most obviously horrifying, its descent into Senua's mental wellbeing is both equally unnerving as it is heart-breaking.

This is most certainly one to play with headphones on and the volume dialled up. Putting yourself in the role of Senua is vital to its experience, and it's a narrative journey you won't soon forget.

Dead by Daylight: Special Edition (Xbox One)

Dead by Daylight is a gore-tastic multiplayer (4vs1) horror game where one player takes on the role of the Killer, and the other four players play as Survivors. There's a lot of tension and strategy to winning, especially if you're on the team of the Survivors, and some pretty gruesome ways to get killed if you fail.

There's no single-player component to this one, so it doesn't share that similarity with The Medium, but if you're in the mood for multiplayer action and you liked Friday the 13th: The Game, we think you'll like this one. Plus, the game has recently been optimised for the new Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S consoles.

Alan Wake (Xbox 360)

Perhaps Remedy Entertainment's best work, Alan Wake is one of the most engrossing horror titles we have ever played. Playing as the titular character, Wake is a writer searching for his story, but what he finds is far more horrifying.

Alan Wake uses a great gameplay mechanic where the monsters that roam the world need to be hurt from the light of a torch before shot. That means you're forced to come up face to face with some of the game's most grotesque creations. It's a rollercoaster of a ride and one that any horror fan needs to make.

Alien: Isolation (Xbox One)

The Alien series has had many games over the years, but none capture the spirit of the original film in the same way as Alien: Isolation. Set on a desolate space station, you're tasked with exploring its remnants while outsmarting a Xenomorph which knows your every location. The tension starts high and never gives up through its lengthy campaign.

It also uses the same sounds, aesthetic and world of the original movies, placing you directly into the universe. It's one of the best movie tie-ins ever crafted and certainly a worthwhile game to get you in the mood for The Medium.

Resident Evil 7 (Xbox One)

Before Resident Evil 7, the series was becoming lost in its own narrative. Gone was the horror of the original games as the franchise had morphed more times than William Birkin into an identity crisis. Resident Evil 7 put the series back on track.

Switching to a first-person perspective was a stroke of genius, as was limiting the game to only a handful of tightly crafted locations. The exploration aspect was back and so was the sheer terror of the originals. With The Medium around the corner, and Resident Evil Village arriving later this year, it's a great time to jump in.

Alice: Madness Returns (Xbox 360)

If you're looking for something slightly less horrifying to build yourself up for The Medium, then we recommend Alice: Madness Returns. Added recently as part of EA Play's inclusion, the platformer is a bit lighter hearted, but still packs some scares.

This is particularly evident in its world and character design, which takes the weirdness of Psychonauts, but adds more darkness into its art style. Some of the enemies you encounter are legitimately creepy and are backed wonderfully through excellent level design. It's a great title if you're looking for something a little different.

State of Decay 2 (Xbox One)

It feels like the second State of Decay has been overlooked by some players ever since its release in 2018, but it's a genuinely fantastic horror survival game which deserves a play on Xbox Game Pass. The idea? Gather survivors, scavenge for resources and build a community amid a zombie apocalypse. No pressure!

This is another game which recently received a superb visual and framerate boost for Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, and the Juggernaut Edition of the game is available on Xbox Game Pass, including all 3 add-on packs, a brand-new map, remastered graphics, technical improvements, and a brand-new tutorial with improved controls.

Got any other games to add to the list? Looking forward to The Medium? Tell us down below.