The Dark Pictures Anthology: Man of Medan - All Achievement Guide

HEAVY SPOILERS for the story and choices!

Please leave useful information and feedback in the comments and help spot any errors.

Detailed information on all achievements in Man of Medan and how to obtain them.

Welcome!

There is a total of 3 achievements that are easily obtainable in Online co-op play. These are "Medium Bro", "You got a better Way?" and "Learning to Work Together".

"Medium Bro" and "You got a better Way?" are obtainable in the Curator's Cut but easier in Co-op.

At the bottom of the guide you can find links to both Russian and German translations of this guide!

Guide contents:

• Survival Achievements (4)
  
• Gamemode Achievements (3)
  
• Trait Achievements (5)
  
• Relationship Achievements (3)
  
• Heart & Head Achievements (2)
  
• Secret (Collectible) Achievements (2)
  
• Picture Collectible Achievements (3)
  
• All the other achievements separately (8) [Roughly in order of story progression]

Survival Achievements

There are many, many ways to obtain these achievements. Below are some tips and easy methods. I recommend you do these however you want after playing the game a couple of times and maybe trying out different deaths.

-That's something, I suppose:
"Everybody survived!"


Make sure every playable character is alive by the end of the game.
Note: The pirates do not count, two of them always die no matter what and the third (Junior) doesn't matter for the achievement as he died in my playthrough and I still got the achievement. The World War 2 people in the prologue do not count either.

Tip 1: Don't fail any QTEs and Keep Calm minigames. Some can be failed but if you can avoid it try not to fail any.

Tip 2: Don't pick up weapons like knives etc if you can help it, and if you do, do not use them (even on monsters).

Tip 3: Make sure Julia decompresses after the dive.

Tip 4: I personally didn't do this but make Conrad successfully escape on the speedboat, one less character to worry about. Note: Conrad can actually die upon returning to the ship after the game credits depending on some choices, not sure if this counts but maybe keep him alive and don't escape.

Tip 5: Do not give the radio your coordinates or ship name (this seems odd, but it is for the best).

Tip 6: Don't let the distributor cap be destroyed.

Just make sensible decisions and maybe do it on a second or third playthrough once you get the hang of the game. Don't worry if it takes a few attempts.

-Not a sole survivor:
"No-one survived!"


Kill every playable character in the game.
There is an ending where the military comes and kills everyone. This is the easiest way of obtaining this achievement. Keep as many people alive as possible (even better everyone) and follow the steps for the "The name of this vessel" achievement to let the military know the ship name and coordinates.
Then make sure the distributor cap is destroyed by failing QTEs at the end. Your people will be stranded on the ship.
The credits will start rolling, but after the credits the military will come and shoot all the survivors.
I reloaded the last part of the game from my all characters lived playthrough and just made sure the distributor cap was destroyed and that got me the achievement.
Note: I did not let Conrad escape and I had told the military my position and ship name ("The name of this vessel" achievement).

-Girls' Night Out:
"Only the women survived!"


For this achievement Fliss and Julia must survive and Brad, Alex and Conrad must die.
Make sure Julia decompresses after the dive.
Kill Conrad by failing QTEs while fleeing from the Glamor Girl in the chapter of the same name.
Say nothing to the military on the radio.
When you meet Junior at gun point as Brad, pick 'Say Nothing' every time and he will shoot Brad, then himself, in the head.
Alex can be killed when he gets the distributor cap, make sure he stabs himself when the rat pops out.

There is a shared story solution for this achievement in the comment section.

-Right there with ya, boys:
"Only the men survived!"


You need to have Brad, Alex and Conrad alive at the end.
Kill Fliss by Brad remaining undetected on the boat from pirates, then not finding the gas mask as Brad when he enters the ship to find the others and make sure he picks up the wrench all in 'Finding Friends'. As Fliss complete the ballroom area ('Ritual') by exiting outside. When she finds Brad he will kill her with the wrench by failing the QTE. (Kill Fliss by any other means also works, this is my preferred method).
Kill Julia by making sure she doesn't decompress after the dive and then make sure she drinks alcohol on the boat. She will then die after the credits.
Make sure Brad, Alex and Conrad survive.

Gamemode Achievements

-Going it alone:
"Completed the Solo Story"


For this achievement, complete the game in solo mode (Play Alone option on the main menu). Once you beat the game this way the achievement is yours.

-Like that movie with the ship:
"Finished Movie Night"


Movie night mode is a couch co-op gamemode for Man of Medan that can be accessed through the main menu by the "Don't Play Alone" option. You can do this with friends or by yourself if you wish, as it is just passing the pad between friends.

-Learning to work together:
"Finished the Shared Story"


This is the Online co-op mode. You will need a friend (or make a friend) to play the game through with you for this achievement. You can start the gamemode through the "Don't Play Alone" main menu option.
Both the host and the person joining will unlock the achievement.

Trait Achievements

There are multiple ways to unlock each of the trait achievements. If you have trouble with any of them, they will most likely come naturally during one of your many playthroughs and there are more opportunities for each trait in co-op because of more dialogue choices.

-Brother thing, you know:
"Unlocked Brad's Envious Trait"


During the start of the game when playing as Brad talking to Alex in the first chapter, choose the dialogue options:
Resentful -> Accusatory

For further information check out PowerPyx's video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1oRtNFsUKU Don't forget to leave a like.

-If you're selling, I'm buying:
"Unlocked Conrad’s Humorous Trait"


When the pirates put you in the dark room on the abandoned ship pick the dialogue option: CONFIDENT “I think it’s an abandoned ship”. Conrad must not escape on the speedboat or die on the speedboat! He must still be with the group for it to work.

For further information check out PowerPyx's video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSXcoJA-Rzg Don't forget to leave a like.

-Big man on campus:
"Unlocked Alex’s Aggressive Trait"


When in the kitchen on the abandoned ship for the first time, explore and find a kitchen knife then choose the dialogue option: CONFIDENT “We might need it” Conrad might need to be alive and with them on the ship for this achievement.
This will unlock the achievement.

For further information check out PowerPyx's video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3rdkttVjGQ Don't forget to leave a like.

-Aye, aye captain:
"Unlocked Fliss’s Arrogant Trait"


Make sure Fliss and Brad recognise each other by allowing Fliss to escape the ballroom in the Chapter: Ritual, and helping Brad find the gas mask in the Chapter: Finding Friends. (Brad must have stayed hidden on the boat).
After they recognise each other it will progress. They will find a point they must climb up, afterward, investigate the hole and choose the following dialogue:
WORRIED “You go” -> FRIGHTENED “I’m not doing it” -> EXPECTANT “Go on with it”
Then the achievement is yours.

For further information check out PowerPyx's video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lJQ_qWJurw Don't forget to leave a like.

-Remember who's signing the checks:
"Unlocked Julia’s Spoilt Trait"


I personally got this in the Curator's Cut while playing as Julia after being locked in the room by the pirates in the abandoned ship. After moving the box from in front of the hole I picked the dialogue option "Your the Alpha Male" and that got me the achievement.
Another method might be to 'Say Nothing' as Julia when Alex proposes on the dive in Online co-op.

Relationship achievements

-Lovebirds:
"Maxed Alex and Julia’s Relationship"


Pick lots of heart choices between Julia and Alex and things that will increase their affinity for one another. I got this achievement during "Plunged" while playing as Julia by picking the dialogue option: FRANTIC “Stop he’ll drown” when one Alex is drowning the other.
(This achievement will be achieved on an all hearts dialogue option playthrough).

-Medium bro:
"Maxed Brad and Alex’s Relationship"


Might only be obtainable on Online co-op play. Can be obtained during the first dialogue between Brad and Alex however.
Make sure you and your friend choose the following options:
Alex: ENCOURAGING
Brad: APPRECIATIVE
Brad: UNEASY
Alex: SUPPORTIVE
Brad: EMPATHETIC

Can be obtained on Curator's Cut with every positive relationship choice between Brad and Alex and making sure Conrad escapes on the Speedboat, but Co-op is a lot easier.

-You got a better way?:
"Maxed Conrad and Fliss’s Relationship"


Might only be Obtainable on Online co-op play and in the Curator's Cut (still follow the video/information for the correct dialogue choices). Can be obtained during the first couple of dialogues between Fliss and Conrad. Follow the following steps:

Chapter: Wreck
Conrad: SUPPORTIVE
Conrad walks over to Fliss, talks to her:
Conrad: EMPATHETIC
Conrad: PLAYFUL
Conrad: PLAYFUL
After Conrad & Alex talk to Julia and she prepares the rebreather, Conrad talks to Fliss again:
Conrad: CHEERY
Conrad: OPTIMISTIC
Chapter: Uninvited Guests
Fliss: RELAXED
Fliss: SELF-ASSURED
Fliss: IMPRESSED
Fliss must go downstairs to talk to Brad, when she returns upstairs she can talk to Conrad once again:
Fliss: RELAXED
Fliss: PLAYFUL
Fliss: ROMANTIC
When a fisher boat approaches:
Fliss: UNEASY
Fliss: WORRIED
Fliss: WORRIED
Fliss: AMUSED

If playing solo on the Curator's Cut:
While as Fliss lighting the BBQ, answer RESTRAINED. (Not applicable in Co-op)

For further information check out PowerPyx's video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWqbWiSc_VI Don't forget to leave a like.

Heart & Head Achievements

-Go with your gut:
"Chose all of the Heart decisions"

-Consider all the permutations:
"Chose all of the Head decisions"


Every dialogue option has either a heart or a brain (head) icon. Complete the game once with all Heart dialogue options only (no head) and then the same with head choices and no heart choices and the achievements will unlock across the playthroughs.

You don't actually need to see all the dialogue options in the game for both, just all the ones in that playthrough must be one or the other.

If you have a dialogue option where you can't have a head or heart then either choose the "Say nothing" option or wait for the time to run out!
Decisions also count and have Brain and Heart icons (such as to un-gag your friends when the pirates capture you is a Head decision so don't do it on a hearts run).

Secret (Collectible) Achievements

-For a dollar he told me his secrets:
"Found 25 Secrets!"

-Secrets! Lies! Conspiracies, man!:
"Found all Secrets!"


Secrets come in the form of various interactable notes, books, clipboards etc. Make sure to flip and looks at both sides and all pages of various items. You can check your secret progress from the character and collections page.

Chapter select can be used to obtain any missing collectibles. Just always select "New save" and don't overwrite. Collectibles save as soon as found so you don't need to finish the chapter either.

There are a total of 50 collectibles, some of which are only available on the Online co-op game mode.
They can be obtainabed in the Curator's Cut, as well as the Online co-op mode, because it lets you play as alternate characters (e.g. You play as Charlie and not Joe in the Prologue). I will further research this method.
The Curator's Cut is a preorder bonus but will be released to everyone by the end of this year.

Text walkthrough by PowerPyx:
http://www.powerpyx.com/the-dark-pictures-man-of-medan-all-collectible-locations-secrets-pictures/

Video walkthrough by PowerPyx:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItZYH0J0rWI Don't forget to leave a like.

Picture collectible achievements

Please note that these collectibles can be highly missable so I would recommend following a video walkthrough with lots of detail. I will link some where appropriate.

Chapter select can be used to obtain any missing pictures, always choose "New save" and don't overwrite. Collectibles are saved as soon as picked up.

-Possible futures:
"Found all of the white framed Pictures"

• Picture 2 (High and Dry) When exploring the boat as Alex at the start of the game go into the cabin area. The white picture on the wall.
  
  
• Picture 3 (Close Quarters) When Fliss is with Danny he will push her away from this picture. After Danny runs away in terror Fliss can go back and view the picture.
  
  
• Picture 5 (Copper Bottomed) When exploring as Brad (after moving a box to climb a wall) investigate the room to your right and its on the wall.
  
  
• Picture 4 (Keelhaul) When playing as Fliss in the ballroom, head to the side stage door and find the white frame picture in that room. (Note: Ballroom has a hidden timer so be fairly quick).
  
  
• Picture 1 (Plain Sailing) Once you take control of Conrad on his own (after a little run from the Glamor Girl) head into the first room on your left. Proceed to the second room here and the picture is yours.
  
  
• Picture 6 (Know the Ropes) Once you get to the engine room, don't head to the rebreather. Head towards the opposite way down a little well hidden area and keep heading to the far wall where the white picture is next to two lockers.

Maka91Productions has a great video for all the picture frames. Here is a link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZwwlHSZlbQ Don't forget to like the video.

-Quite a lot of deaths that night:
"Found all of the black framed Pictures"

• Picture 2 (Cut and Run) While playing as Fliss, managing the boat while the others are on the dive, open the only closed door in the bottom of the ship and it is on the wall after entering the doorway.
  
  
• Picture 1 (Devil and the Deep) While exploring the plane wreck as Julia the image is lying on the floor to the left of the door after gaining control of her.
  
  
• Picture 3 (In the Offing) After escaping from the room where the pirates lock you in the ghost ship, head to the point where you are on some suspended walkways and continue to the bunk bed room where the black picture is located in the far corner on a shelf.
  
  
• Picture 4 (Cut of Your Jib) After the big kitchen in the chapter Caskets you will enter a dining room. The picture is on the back wall and is quite obvious from its glimmer.
  
  
• Picture 5 (Ship Shape) ONLY AVAILABLE IN ONLINE CO-OP or THE CURATOR'S CUT Brad and Fliss must have recognised each other at the end of Ritual (Fliss got fresh air and Brad found the gas mask). Conrad must not have died or escaped as well. Fliss and Brad together can open a room in "Glamor Girl" after Conrad runs away from them the first time. The door is on the left. The picture is on the wall inside.
  
  
• Picture 6 (Loose Cannon) While looking for the radio the picture can be found on the wall in the Captain's quarters. It is on the path to the radio.

Maka91Productions has a great video for all the picture frames. Here is a link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZwwlHSZlbQ Don't forget to like the video.

-Ghost ships are just a myth, right?:
"Found all Pictures"


Find all the pictures above and then also the Golden picture the the achievement is yours.
Alex and Brad must go down the hole after the radio.
I found this picture as Julia (she was the only one left alive at the radio as Conrad and Fliss where dead). She will jump down the hole and eventually end up in a bunk room where the golden frame picture is on the wall.
Refer to the videos above as they have the picture location in them.

Karate Master

-Karate Master:
"Beat the Training Dummy"


During the Post World War 2 prologue beat the karate dummy without failing any quick time events or targets. Once you beat the dummy flawlessly the achievement is yours.

Yes! Yes, I’ll marry you!

-Yes! Yes, I’ll marry you!:
"Julia accepted Alex’s proposal"


When first playing as Brad at the start of the game, when talking to Alex pick dialogue SENTIMENTAL “Go with your gut” when he asks you about the big life changing decision.

After exploring the underwater wreck as Julia accept the proposal by picking both heart options. ASTOUNDED “We almost died” – LOVING “Yes!”

A pint of frosty amber liquid

-A pint of frosty amber liquid:
"Conrad successfully flirted with Fliss"


When you first play as Fliss on the boat talking with Conrad choose nice dialogue options (take the beer he offered you) and eventually the dialogue options playful followed by romantic and the achievement is yours.

The important choice is: ROMANTIC “I have to keep track of the dive, but …”

Break ’em during the thunder

-Break ’em during the thunder:
"Opened the window without making noise"


When breaking the window, after the intruders have got on your boat and the storm has started, when Conrad says "Six" break the window silently. If done correctly the achievement is yours.
This achievement can be obtained on scene select.

For further information check out PowerPyx's video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dm3AYQ2NQJE Don't forget to leave a like.

Can't catch him with this old junker

-Can't catch him with this old junker:
"Conrad successfully escaped on the speedboat"


After breaking the window, complete the Keep Calm minigame, then choose the escape option. Complete the four QTEs and the achievement will unlock.
Can be obtained during chapter selection.

For further information check out PowerPyx's video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dm3AYQ2NQJE Don't forget to leave a like.

The name of this vessel

-The name of this vessel:
"Revealed the name of the ship"


For this achievement you need to find 2 specific Secret collectibles and choose the dialogue option:
ANXIOUS - Ourang Medan.

The two collectibles you need are:
Chapter Danny, Secret #41: Medan Hat – it’s right after a cutscene where Danny (pirate guy who’s escorting Fliss), sees what looks like a sitting man. But it turns out it was only a bunch of empty sacks with a hat on them. Danny will knock off the hat during the cutscene. Afterward, Fliss can investigate that same hat.

Chapter: Distress Signal, Secret #42: Ship’s Logbook – it’s found just after leaving the weather deck to climb upstairs. On a table in the captain's cabin is the logbook you need. This is just BEFORE the distress signal radio (just a few rooms before it).

When in the radio conversation try giving the coordinates and then the ships name.

For further information check out PowerPyx's video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKaY186taGg Don't forget to leave a like.

It’s all gone changing on me

-It’s all gone changing on me:
"Calmed Junior down"


When you come across the Rebreather you must TAKE it for the achievement.
When Olson is chasing remain undetected so you keep the rebreather. If you are detected there will be a QTE to grab the rebreather. Either way you need the rebreather.
When you meet Junior pick the following dialogue options:
CURIOUS -> WORRIED -> DESPERATE -> GRAB PISTOL
Put the rebreather on and the achievement is yours.

As long as you're quick

-As long as you're quick:
"Completed 10 QTEs in succession"


Complete any 10 quick time events in a row without failing one. It can be 10 across any character/chapter as long as you complete all 10 with no fails. Any failed QTE will reset the achievement progress. This will most likely unlock across some playthroughs of the game.

~Acknowledgements & Translations~

PowerPyx - Various video guides and information comes from PowerPyx. I do not own the videos used in this guide, credit to PowerPyx.

Maka91Productions - Really great collectible videos. I do not own the collectible videos, credit to Maka91Productions.

Hanni's Guides - Hanni helped me obtain two achievements in co-op; "Medium Bro" and "You Got a Better Way?". Check out his own guides on the link!

Smith - Smith helped me obtain the achievement "Learning to Work Together" by playing the game in Shared Story co-op with me.

Translations:

Russian Translation of this guide here by 'Smith'
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1860073066

German Translation of this guide here by 'Greg'
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1858368215

[stakanctl]

A note regarding " The name of this vessel " and " That's something, I suppose ": you can safely give out the ship's coordinates but not the name in the first radio dialogue. Moreover, Conrad or Alex will automatically state the name of the ship upon restoring power if secrets 41 and 42 are collected. This may result in obtaining both achievements in a single run.

[MrOmegaPlayer]

I just got "You Got A Better Way?" playing solo on theatrical mode (normal mode). i've been doing a full heart run and got it at the end of "Glamour Girl" You can purposefully fail one of the QTE when climbing the final ladder, then when you have the option to jump or confront, you jump, but Fliss grabs you. Obviously, she'll need to be alive still for this to work.

[Eenny]

For "Go with your gut".
I achieved it in the Curator's Cut (solo mode).
But I can't have it in the Theatrical Cut (solo mode).

[IRT]

@Tactiic
Timer for this scene is about 10 mins. During timer, yes, if Fliss stays too long inside chemicals gas, the ballroom returns to the "red" state and Brad appears as ghost. To avoid that, after getting all secrets in this area, you can just go to fresh air a few times, and wait for timer to end.

[Tactiic]

fun fact: during Ritual, as Fliss, if you go to the balcony too early, you'll run out of clean air in her lungs and she won't be able to recognize Brad. Wait about 1.5mins before going to the balcony to avoid any headaches like I had.

[MikrosPL]

I didn't get Lovebirds on my all hearts playthrough :\

[ThePugHybrid]

You can use chapter select into new save files to cut down on doing full replays!

[CorvusCorax]

Great guide! If my understanding is correct given the survival achievements you need at least 4 playthroughs.

[Fayled Xperiment]

@author:
regarding "Everybody survived!" tip 4 on conrad
he only dies afterwards on the ship if you let him take the speedboat in the beginning AND none of the others is on the ship if he comes back with the coast guard (either dead or escaped by getting the distributor cap).
if the others are stranded on board the floating deathtrap than they all just leave by coast guard boat when he arrives

regarding "big man on campus" i can also confirm that conrad is not necessary (was my first playthrough and he died on the speedboat)

[xXx3M0TW1NKxXx]

Respect. Thanks for the help! The guide is amazing!