Are you thinking about picking up The Dark Pictures Anthology: Man of Medan? The first installment in Supermassive Games’ horror adventure series, but you want to know how long the game is before diving in. No one wants to start an epic 100-hour campaign when they were expecting a quick 5-hour thrill ride. Well, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
Man of Medan is on the shorter end of the spectrum, clocking in at around 6 to 8 hours for a single playthrough depending on how thoroughly you explore the environments and how often you trigger certain events. While multiple endings and the co-op “Movie Night” mode add some replay value, you can experience the bulk of the spooky seafaring story in a single evening. The bite-sized length makes Man of Medan perfect for a quick Halloween scare or introducing friends to the interactive drama genre. So gather your courage, grab some popcorn, and prepare to board the SS Ourang Medan for a few hours of ghostly fun.

Average Playthrough Length: Around 6 to 8 Hours
So you’re ready to dive into Man of Medan, the first installment of Supermassive Games’ Dark Pictures Anthology. But how long will this spooky sea adventure take? On average, you can expect a single playthrough to last between 6 to 8 hours.
Of course, there are a few factors that can affect the length. For starters, which difficulty level you choose. Playing on ‘Curator’s Cut’ mode with limited guidance will likely take closer to 8 hours as you explore more and try to find all the secrets and clues. The ‘Shared Story’ and ‘Movie Night’ modes, on the other hand, move at a quicker pace for a shorter 6-hour experience.
Your playstyle also impacts the runtime. If you’re the type of player who examines every corner of a room and reads all the backstory details, you’ll probably land on the longer end of the estimate. Speedrunners who just want to blast through the main plot points can finish much faster. The choices you make throughout the game can lead to different outcomes and cutscenes as well, adding to the variability.
At the end of the day, Man of Medan is meant to be an interactive thriller movie. So whether it takes you 6, 8 or even 10 hours, sit back and enjoy this chilling tale of mystery at sea. The time will fly by as you work to keep all five characters alive and uncover the sinister secrets of the Ourang Medan. Let the adventure begin!
Factors That Affect Playtime
How long Man of Medan takes to complete really depends on a few factors.
First, are you playing alone or with friends? Co-op play will likely extend your playtime since you have to coordinate with the other players. Solo play allows you to go at your own pace without waiting for others, so you can probably finish the game quicker.
Difficulty level also matters. If you choose an easier setting, the game will be more forgiving and less challenging, allowing you to progress faster. Harder difficulty levels mean more obstacles to overcome and a steeper learning curve. You’ll have to retry sections more often, adding to your total playtime.
How thoroughly you explore the environments and how many clues or secrets you uncover will impact your playtime too. If you speed through just completing objectives, you can finish in 6-8 hours. But taking your time to find hidden details and fully immerse yourself in the creepy atmosphere can draw out the experience to 10 hours or more.
Your playstyle in general comes into play. If you like to take screenshots, stream your gameplay or record let’s play videos, that extra time spent will increase your total playthrough. Players who focus solely on progressing the story and puzzles can wrap up quicker.
With so many variables, you can shape Man of Medan into the experience you want. A single playthrough can take 6 to 12 hours depending on the options you choose – not a huge time commitment but enough to craft a memorable horror adventure. How long will your journey last? That’s for you to decide!
Replay Value: Worth at Least Another Playthrough
Multiple Endings
Man of Medan features different endings and story branches depending on the choices you make, so you’ll likely want to play through more than once to experience everything. On your first playthrough, you’ll probably miss certain clues or make choices that lead to less than ideal outcomes for the characters. Don’t worry, that’s part of the fun of interactive story games! Replay the game and try different options to unlock new endings and see how events unfold differently.
Achievements and Collectibles
If you’re an achievement hunter or like tracking down collectibles, Man of Medan offers plenty of replay value. There are many achievements to unlock by completing challenges, finding secrets, and making specific choices. You’ll also need to play through multiple times to find all the hidden premonitions, pictures, and clues scattered throughout the ship. Some are only available depending on the paths you take, so be on the lookout for new items with each playthrough.
Co-op Mode
For an entirely new experience, try playing co-op mode with a friend. In co-op, you each control different characters and must work together to survive and solve the mysteries of the ship. Coordinating with another player adds a new layer of challenge and unpredictability. You may approach situations differently or make choices that lead to new outcomes. Co-op mode provides the opportunity for lots of replay value, especially if you swap who plays which character.
In summary, with multiple endings, achievements to unlock, collectibles to find, and a co-op mode, Man of Medan has significant replay value. You’ll want to play through many times to experience all the game has to offer and get your money’s worth of scares and intrigue. So gather some friends, stock up on snacks, and dive back into the ghost ship for another thrill ride.