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- Best overall: Epic Games Alan Wake Remastered for PlayStation 5
- Best budget: Epic Games Alan Wake Remastered for PlayStation 4
- Best premium: Bloober Team The Medium for PlayStation 5
- Epic Games Alan Wake Remastered for Nintendo Switch: Bloober Team The Medium for Xbox Series X|S
- The Medium is the pick for players who want supernatural horror built around simultaneous dual-reality gameplay.
- Alan Wake Remastered is the better fit for mystery fans who want a story-driven thriller with two included expansions.
- Both games are single-player experiences, so choose by gameplay style and platform rather than multiplayer features.
- Compare platform compatibility and edition details before choosing a Black Friday 2026 copy.
The Medium and Alan Wake Remastered are 1-player horror games with very different strengths: The Medium centers on dual-reality exploration, while Alan Wake Remastered delivers a supernatural mystery built around its writer protagonist. For Black Friday 2026, the best choice comes down to the kind of tension you want and the console you own.
I researched and compared specs, reviews and owner feedback to make this guide useful whether you want a direct head-to-head answer or a platform-specific pick. The selections below cover both games across major consoles, with clear notes on who each version suits. Here's the bottom line: pick The Medium for an unusual split-world mechanic, or Alan Wake Remastered for a more action-focused story and its two included expansions.
How We Picked
- Compared each game’s core horror mechanics, story focus and single-player format.
- Checked platform availability so console owners can choose a compatible version.
- Reviewed edition details, including the expansions bundled with Alan Wake Remastered.
- Used published specifications, reviews and owner feedback rather than detailed claims.
- Prioritized clear use cases so each recommendation has a distinct reason to buy.
Comparison Table
| Product | Best for | Platform | Players | Included expansions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bloober Team The Medium for Xbox Series X|S | Xbox players who want dual-reality horror | Xbox Series X|S | 1 | Not applicable |
| Bloober Team The Medium for PlayStation 5 | PS5 owners seeking an unconventional horror story | PlayStation 5 | 1 | Not applicable |
| Epic Games Alan Wake Remastered for PlayStation 5 | PS5 players who want a complete supernatural mystery | PlayStation 5 | 1 | 2 |
| Epic Games Alan Wake Remastered for Xbox Series X|S | Xbox players who prefer story and combat | Xbox Series X|S | 1 | 2 |
| Epic Games Alan Wake Remastered for PlayStation 4 | PS4 owners looking for a story-heavy horror game | PlayStation 4 | 1 | 2 |
| Epic Games Alan Wake Remastered for Xbox One | Xbox One owners who want a complete thriller | Xbox One | 1 | 2 |
| Epic Games Alan Wake Remastered for Nintendo Switch | Switch players who want portable supernatural horror | Nintendo Switch | 1 | 2 |
Best Picks Reviewed
#1
Bloober Team The Medium for Xbox Series X|S
The Bloober Team The Medium for Xbox Series X|S is the best dual-reality horror pick for Xbox players who want a 1-player psychological adventure. The Bloober Team The Medium for Xbox Series X|S's defining feature is simultaneous exploration across two versions of the world.
Best for: Xbox players who want dual-reality horror
- Platform
- Xbox Series X|S
- Players
- 1
- Core mechanic
- 2 realities
- Distinct dual-reality gameplay
- Story-led psychological horror
- Designed for current-generation Xbox
- No multiplayer mode
- The Bloober Team The Medium for Xbox Series X|S's slower pace is not for every horror fan
Is the Bloober Team The Medium for Xbox Series X|S worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. Bloober Team The Medium for Xbox Series X|S is a strong choice for solo players who want an unusual horror mechanic, eerie exploration and a story that links two realities. Choose it over Alan Wake Remastered for the split-world gameplay.
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#2
Bloober Team The Medium for PlayStation 5
The Bloober Team The Medium for PlayStation 5 is the best dual-reality horror pick for PS5 owners who want a 1-player narrative adventure. The two-world mechanic sets its exploration apart from conventional third-person horror.
Best for: PS5 owners seeking an unconventional horror story
- Platform
- PlayStation 5
- Players
- 1
- Core mechanic
- 2 realities
- Memorable split-world concept
- Atmospheric exploration
- Focused single-player story
- No co-op or competitive play
- Less combat-focused than Alan Wake Remastered
Is the Bloober Team The Medium for PlayStation 5 worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. Bloober Team The Medium for PlayStation 5 suits players who value atmosphere, puzzles and psychological tension over frequent combat. The Bloober Team The Medium for PlayStation 5's central dual-reality mechanic gives the game a distinct identity, making it a compelling PS5 pick for a focused solo horror session.
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#3 · Top pick
Epic Games Alan Wake Remastered for PlayStation 5
The Epic Games Alan Wake Remastered for PlayStation 5 is the best story-driven thriller pick for PS5 players who want a 1-player mystery. The package includes 2 story expansions, The Signal and The Writer.
Best for: PS5 players who want a complete supernatural mystery
- Platform
- PlayStation 5
- Players
- 1
- Included expansions
- 2
- Strong mystery-led story
- Includes The Signal and The Writer
- Mixes exploration and combat
- Combat is a central part of the experience
- Less focused on puzzle exploration than The Medium
Is the Epic Games Alan Wake Remastered for PlayStation 5 worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. Epic Games Alan Wake Remastered for PlayStation 5 is a good fit for solo players who want a supernatural mystery with combat and two included story expansions. Choose this version for a PS5-compatible way to experience Alan Wake’s original story.
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#4
Epic Games Alan Wake Remastered for Xbox Series X|S
The Epic Games Alan Wake Remastered for Xbox Series X|S is the best supernatural thriller pick for Xbox players who want a 1-player campaign. Two included story expansions add further chapters to the mystery.
Best for: Xbox players who prefer story and combat
- Platform
- Xbox Series X|S
- Players
- 1
- Included expansions
- 2
- Narrative-focused horror adventure
- Includes 2 expansions
- Combines light-based combat and exploration
- Combat repeats across the campaign
- No multiplayer option
Is the Epic Games Alan Wake Remastered for Xbox Series X|S worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. Epic Games Alan Wake Remastered for Xbox Series X|S is a worthwhile pick for Xbox owners who want a complete solo thriller, including two story expansions. The game favors mystery, exploration and combat, rather than The Medium’s dual-reality puzzles.
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#5
Epic Games Alan Wake Remastered for PlayStation 4
The Epic Games Alan Wake Remastered for PlayStation 4 is the best last-generation console pick for players who want a 1-player supernatural thriller. The Epic Games Alan Wake Remastered for PlayStation 4's 2 included story expansions round out the main mystery.
Best for: PS4 owners looking for a story-heavy horror game
- Platform
- PlayStation 4
- Players
- 1
- Included expansions
- 2
- Works with a PS4 setup
- Includes the two story expansions
- A clear choice for mystery fans
- Not a multiplayer game
- The action loop leans on repeated combat encounters
Is the Epic Games Alan Wake Remastered for PlayStation 4 worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. Epic Games Alan Wake Remastered for PlayStation 4 is a solid option for PS4 owners who want a single-player mystery without changing consoles. The two included expansions add story content, and the combat-heavy structure makes it distinct from The Medium.
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#6
Epic Games Alan Wake Remastered for Xbox One
The Epic Games Alan Wake Remastered for Xbox One is the best Xbox One story-horror pick for players who want a 1-player mystery. The edition includes 2 expansions alongside the main campaign.
Best for: Xbox One owners who want a complete thriller
- Platform
- Xbox One
- Players
- 1
- Included expansions
- 2
- Compatible with Xbox One
- Two story expansions are included
- Balances exploration with combat
- No online or local multiplayer
- The gameplay is more action-oriented than The Medium
Is the Epic Games Alan Wake Remastered for Xbox One worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. Epic Games Alan Wake Remastered for Xbox One is a good match for Xbox One owners who want a complete solo horror story. The Epic Games Alan Wake Remastered for Xbox One's two included expansions extend the mystery, while the core campaign mixes exploration with repeated combat encounters.
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#7
Epic Games Alan Wake Remastered for Nintendo Switch
The Epic Games Alan Wake Remastered for Nintendo Switch is the best portable-format pick for players who want a 1-player mystery. The game includes 2 story expansions, giving Switch owners the main story and its additional chapters.
Best for: Switch players who want portable supernatural horror
- Platform
- Nintendo Switch
- Players
- 1
- Included expansions
- 2
- Portable play on Nintendo Switch
- Includes both story expansions
- A story-focused alternative to The Medium
- Does not offer The Medium’s dual-reality gameplay
- Single-player only
Is the Epic Games Alan Wake Remastered for Nintendo Switch worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. Epic Games Alan Wake Remastered for Nintendo Switch is a strong portable pick for players who want a supernatural story they can play in handheld or docked mode. The two included expansions add more story, while the gameplay emphasizes combat and exploration.
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The Medium vs Alan Wake Remastered: which game is better?
The Medium is better for dual-reality exploration, while Alan Wake Remastered is better for a mystery-driven adventure with 2 included expansions. Both games are single-player horror, but their moment-to-moment play feels different.
The Medium builds its identity around Marianne moving through the real world and the spirit world at the same time. The effect ties together exploration, puzzles and its unsettling atmosphere. Alan Wake Remastered follows a writer investigating strange events, with combat and story progression woven through the mystery. Pick the game whose core loop sounds fun, not just the one with the scarier premise.
For Black Friday 2026, platform compatibility is the practical tiebreaker. The Medium is available here for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Alan Wake Remastered has options for PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch.
How do The Medium and Alan Wake Remastered differ?
The Medium uses 2 parallel realities as its central mechanic, while Alan Wake Remastered focuses on a single protagonist and a supernatural mystery. That difference affects exploration, combat and pacing.
The Medium leans into psychological horror, environmental puzzles and scenes that ask players to follow both sides of Marianne’s world. The dual-reality concept gives its puzzles a distinctive feel, though the slower rhythm is a key part of the experience. Alan Wake Remastered puts more emphasis on moving through locations, uncovering clues and confronting threats. Its 2 included expansions continue the story beyond the main campaign.
Choose The Medium if you want an unusual horror setup and prefer exploration to frequent combat. Choose Alan Wake Remastered if you enjoy action alongside a narrative mystery. Neither game offers multiplayer, so the decision is about solo play style.
Which platforms support these horror games?
The Medium is represented in this guide on 2 platforms, while Alan Wake Remastered is represented on 5 console platforms. Check the exact product title before buying to match your system.
The Medium picks cover PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Alan Wake Remastered picks cover PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch. The platform name in each card identifies the version, so buyers can quickly compare options without mixing generations.
Digital availability and edition details can vary by storefront. Confirm that the selected listing matches your console and preferred format before checkout. If you already own a newer console, compare its version with older-console options and choose the listing that fits your library.
Should you buy The Medium or Alan Wake Remastered?
Buy The Medium for its 2-reality mechanic, and buy Alan Wake Remastered for a story-led thriller with 2 included expansions. Both are worthwhile solo horror picks, but each serves a different mood.
The Medium suits players who enjoy atmospheric puzzle-solving and a supernatural setting built around parallel worlds. It is the more distinctive choice when the gameplay concept is your main priority. Alan Wake Remastered suits players who want an unfolding mystery, exploration and combat in one package. Its broader platform selection also makes it easier to match to a console already at home.
For the clearest head-to-head verdict, Alan Wake Remastered is the flexible all-round pick across platforms, while The Medium is the more original mechanic-driven choice. Worth it for most players. Select by platform first, then by whether you want puzzles or action.
Buying Guide
Match the game to your preferred horror style
Choose The Medium for dual-reality puzzles and psychological atmosphere. Choose Alan Wake Remastered for a supernatural mystery with more emphasis on combat. The core gameplay loop matters more than a broad horror label.
Confirm your console before selecting a version
Read the full product name and match the platform to your console. The Medium options here cover PS5 and Xbox Series X|S; Alan Wake Remastered spans five console platforms.
Check what the edition includes
Alan Wake Remastered includes 2 story expansions: The Signal and The Writer. The Medium’s appeal comes from its dual-reality gameplay. Compare the package contents and storefront listing before buying.
Choose physical or digital based on your setup
Check the retailer listing for format and redemption details. A digital edition needs the correct account and platform store; a physical edition needs a compatible console drive. Confirm those basics before checkout.
FAQ
Is The Medium better than Alan Wake Remastered?
The Medium is better for players who want dual-reality exploration and psychological horror. Alan Wake Remastered is better for a mystery-led story with combat and 2 included expansions. Both are single-player games, so the right pick depends on which gameplay style appeals more.
Which game should I buy on Black Friday 2026?
Buy The Medium for its unusual dual-reality mechanic, or choose Alan Wake Remastered for a wider console selection and a mystery with 2 expansions. Check the product’s exact platform name before purchase to make sure it matches your console.
Is Alan Wake Remastered available on Nintendo Switch?
Yes. Epic Games Alan Wake Remastered for Nintendo Switch is the portable-platform option in this guide. The game is a single-player supernatural thriller and includes 2 story expansions. Check the selected listing for format and storefront compatibility.
Does Alan Wake Remastered include its expansions?
Yes. Alan Wake Remastered includes 2 story expansions, The Signal and The Writer. The expansions add chapters connected to the main mystery, making the game a complete pick for players who want the original Alan Wake story and its additional episodes.
Is The Medium a multiplayer game?
No. The Medium is a single-player horror adventure, with 1 player exploring its story and dual-reality puzzles. Choose it for solo psychological horror rather than co-op or competitive play. Alan Wake Remastered is also a single-player experience.