View source for MediEvil (2019 video game)



{{Infobox video game
| title      = MediEvil
| image      = MediEvil Box art cropped.png
| developer  = [[Other Ocean Interactive|Other Ocean Emeryville]]
| publisher  = [[Sony Interactive Entertainment]]
| director   =
| producer   = Jeff Nachbauer
| designer   =
| programmer =
| artist     =
| writer     =
| composer   = [[Andrew Barnabas]]<br>[[Paul Arnold (composer)|Paul Arnold]]
| series     = ''[[MediEvil (series)|MediEvil]]''
| engine     = [[Unreal Engine 4]]
| platforms  = [[PlayStation 4]]
| released   = October 25, 2019
| genre      = [[Action-adventure game|Action-adventure]], [[hack and slash]]
| modes      = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]]
}}
'''''MediEvil''''' is a 2019 [[action-adventure game]] developed by [[Other Ocean Interactive|Other Ocean Emeryville]] and published by [[Sony Interactive Entertainment]] for the [[PlayStation 4]]. The player controls the protagonist, Sir Daniel Fortesque, through a series of levels, utilizing various weapons to attack enemies as well as encountering several [[Non-player character|non-playable characters]]. It is a remake of ''[[MediEvil]]'', which was originally developed by British video game developer [[Guerrilla Cambridge|SCE Cambridge Studio]] and released for the [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]] in 1998. 

The ''MediEvil'' remake was first announced as a remaster of ''MediEvil'' in late 2017 and later as a remake the following year. The developers of ''MediEvil'' took advantage of the advances in technology since the first ''MediEvil'' to enhance aspects, while trying to avoid straying too far from the presentation of the original. Additional features not present in the original were included in the remake. The ''MediEvil'' remake was released on October 25, 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Liam |date=November 1, 2018 |title=MediEvil PS4 Remaster release date REVEALED with NEW PlayStation 4 gameplay |url=https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/gaming/1038935/MediEvil-PS4-Remake-gameplay-Sony-PlayStation-release-date |website=Express}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2019/5/9/18563526/medievil-ps4-remake-release-date-gameplay-trailer|title=MediEvil remake comes to PS4 this October|last=McWhertor|first=Michael|publisher=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|date=May 9, 2019|accessdate=May 10, 2019}}</ref> Various bonus content was included in special editions. 

''MediEvil'' received mixed reviews from critics, who praised its presentation, but criticized some aspects of its gameplay. The game is dedicated to Zarok's voice actor, [[Paul Darrow]], who died on June 3, 2019.

==Gameplay==
{{see also|MediEvil#Gameplay|l1=Gameplay in MediEvil}}
[[File:MediEvil remake.png|thumb|left|Sir Daniel Fortesque encountering a Rhinotaur in the "Crystal Caves" level. The optional "Dan Cam" camera viewpoint is being used.]]
''MediEvil'' takes place across a series of levels selectable from a map of Gallowmere.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.destructoid.com/review-medievil-ps4--569800.phtml|title=Review: MediEvil (PS4)|last=Carter|first=Chris|date=October 23, 2019|website=Destructoid|access-date=October 23, 2019}}</ref> The character, Sir Daniel Fortesque, is able to utilize a variety of weapons ranging from close range weapons such as swords and clubs to long range weapons such as throwing daggers and bows, many of which can be charged for a more powerful attack.<ref name=":3">{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHx1KOBCM-A |title=MediEvil - A Bonehead's Guide to Gallowmere: Maximizing One's Offense {{!}} PS4 |date=October 17, 2019 |publisher=PlayStation |access-date=July 25, 2020 |website=YouTube }}</ref> When not in possession of any weapons, Sir Daniel is able to use his arm for melee and ranged attacks.<ref name=":3" /> Sir Daniel is also able to equip a shield alongside his weapons for defense, though they can only resist a limited amount of damage and do not protect Dan from certain types of damage, such as long falls.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4ow7TTngNs |title=MediEvil - Using One's Shield {{!}} PS4 |date=October 3, 2019 |publisher=PlayStation |access-date=July 25, 2020 |website=YouTube }}</ref> As Sir Daniel is hit by enemies, he will lose part of his [[Health (game terminology)|health bar]]. If his entire health bar is depleted, the game will end. While Sir Daniel does not recover health automatically between levels, he can utilize Life Bottles to refill all of his health should it be completely depleted.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.destructoid.com/medievil-guide-life-is-the-most-precious-resource-so-bank-it-570162.phtml|title=MediEvil guide: Life is the most precious resource, so bank it|last=Carter|first=Chris|date=October 23, 2019|website=Destructoid|access-date=October 25, 2019}}</ref>

Sir Dan is able to encounter two varieties of gargoyle heads throughout the game: green gargoyles offer Sir Dan information, while blue gargoyles offer him ammunition for his weapons in exchange for gold.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=http://www.pushsquare.com/news/2019/10/guide_medievil_ps4_-_tips_and_tricks_for_beginners|title=Guide: MediEvil PS4 - Tips and Tricks for Beginners|last=Tailby|first=Stephen|date=October 24, 2019|website=Push Square|access-date=October 28, 2019}}</ref> In each level, Sir Dan is able to find a chalice of Souls, which can be collected if the player has defeated enough enemies. Dan can use the chalices to gain access to the Hall of Heroes, where he can talk to one of several non-playable characters to receive a new weapon or other item.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2019-10-24-medievil-review-polished-remake-fails-to-de-clunk-the-ps1-original|title=MediEvil review - polished remake fails to de-clunk the PS1 original|last=Blake|first=Vikki|date=October 24, 2019|work=Eurogamer|access-date=October 24, 2019}}</ref> If Sir Dan collects all chalices, the true ending will be shown.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pushsquare.com/news/2019/10/guide_medievil_ps4_-_how_to_get_the_good_ending_in_medievil|title=Guide: MediEvil PS4 - How to Get the Good Ending in MediEvil|last=Tailby|first=Stephen|date=October 22, 2019|website=Push Square|access-date=October 25, 2019}}</ref>

While the game remains largely identical in content to the original ''MediEvil'', several new features have been introduced. This includes the ability to toggle between a primary and secondary weapon, first introduced as a feature in ''[[MediEvil 2]]'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pushsquare.com/news/2019/11/guide_medievil_ps4_-_tips_and_tricks_for_beginners|title=Guide: MediEvil PS4 - Tips and Tricks for Beginners|last=Tailby|first=Stephen|date=November 12, 2019|website=Push Square|access-date=January 6, 2020}}</ref> the "Dan Cam", an optional camera viewpoint which uses an over-the-shoulder perspective,<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBrWVHq9q68 |title=MediEvil - Changing One's Perspective {{!}} PS4 |date=October 10, 2019 |publisher=PlayStation |access-date=July 25, 2020 |website=YouTube }}</ref> and a compendium of information about the characters and enemies, known as the Book of Gallowmere.<ref name=":2" /> Optional "Lost Souls" objectives have also been incorporated into the game, which require Sir Dan to complete a mission received from a ghost found in each level.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps4/medievil|title=MediEvil Review (PS4)|last=Tailby|first=Stephen|date=October 23, 2019|website=Push Square|access-date=October 23, 2019}}</ref> If all Lost Souls objectives are completed, the player unlocks the option to play the original ''MediEvil'' on the menu screen, under the name of "Old Game".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pushsquare.com/news/2019/11/guide_medievil_ps4_-_how_to_unlock_the_original_ps1_game_in_the_remake|title=Guide: MediEvil PS4 - How to Unlock the Original PS1 Game in the Remake|last=Tailby|first=Stephen|date=October 31, 2019|website=Push Square|access-date=January 10, 2020}}</ref>

==Development==
According to the executive producer of the ''MediEvil'' remake, Jeff Nachbauer, Other Ocean Emeryville wished to keep most elements from the original ''MediEvil'' intact, unless they felt there was a good reason to change something. This included the retention of several glitches present in the original ''MediEvil'', which were considered by the developers to be crucial to the feel of the game. One of these glitches was for sword swings that made the motion irregular and unpredictable.<ref name=":5" /> The developers researched music the original developers would have listened to at the time of the development of the first ''MediEvil''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blog.us.playstation.com/2019/08/14/behind-the-scenes-of-medievils-upcoming-ps4-resurrection/|title=Behind the Scenes of MediEvil's Upcoming PS4 Resurrection|last=Accordino|first=Nick|date=August 14, 2019|website=PlayStation Blog|access-date=October 4, 2019}}</ref> Level geometry was extracted from the original ''MediEvil'' and imported into the remake's engine to serve as a reference for the placement of level elements. Due to the game's further [[draw distance]] and wider aspect ratio, new background areas that did not exist in the original ''MediEvil'' needed to be created, and additional trees and foliage were added to certain areas.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blog.us.playstation.com/2018/12/13/remaking-fan-favorites-how-devs-resurrected-crash-medievil-resident-evil-2-and-spyro-for-ps4/?ref-tag=249442|title=Remaking Fan Favorites: How Devs Resurrected Crash, MediEvil, Resident Evil 2, and Spyro for PS4|last=Shuman|first=Sid|date=December 13, 2018|website=PlayStation Blog|access-date=October 4, 2019}}</ref> Enemy behaviors left in the [[source code]] of the original ''MediEvil'', but removed from the finished game due to time constraints, were restored for the ''MediEvil'' remake.<ref name=":5" /> 

=== Character design ===
Art director [[Nick Bruty]] believed that it was crucial to keep the feel of the first ''MediEvil'' in Sir Daniel Fortesque's design, while still adding extra detail and shape to the low-resolution 3D model from the original game. Sir Dan's arms were made longer, as they were considered to look strange in the higher resolution of the ''MediEvil'' remake. Sir Dan's armor was redesigned to be more grounded while still accommodating for his animations. They had initially given Dan's armor a cleaner design, but made his armor more tattered later in development. The design of Sir Dan's skull went through several iterations, with the finalized design intending to strike a balance between the more gritty design of the original ''MediEvil'' and the more humorous design of ''[[MediEvil: Resurrection]]''. Due to advances in technology since the development of the first ''MediEvil'', Other Ocean was able to create a wider range of expressions for Sir Dan compared to the original game.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|url=https://blog.us.playstation.com/2019/12/20/medievils-short-lived-demo-returns-today-with-new-content/|title=MediEvil's Short-Lived Demo Returns Today With New Content|last=Accordino|first=Nick|date=December 20, 2019|website=PlayStation Blog|access-date=January 7, 2020}}</ref>

=== Voice acting ===
Most in-game dialogue was recycled from the original ''MediEvil'' (the only exception to this is Zarok's command of "Fire!" in the cinematic showing what had really happened to Dan). Jason Wilson, the voice actor of Sir Dan in ''MediEvil'' and ''MediEvil: Resurrection'', reprised his role. Unlike the original ''MediEvil'', where Sir Dan's muffled voice effect was created by recording his lines while wearing a bucket, the effect was instead post-processed for the ''MediEvil'' remake.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=https://www.escapistmagazine.com/v2/medievil-remake-devs-on-being-faithful-without-feeling-like-a-bad-cover-band/|title=MediEvil Remake Devs on Being Faithful 'Without Feeling Like a Bad Cover Band'|last=Lee|first=Patrick|date=October 21, 2019|website=Escapist Magazine|access-date=October 28, 2019}}</ref> Tom Baker was replaced as the voice of the narrator by [[Lani Minella]].<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/medievil-remake-feels-like-dark-souls-says-playstation/|title=MediEvil remake "feels like Dark Souls", says PlayStation|last=Blake|first=Vikki|date=August 25, 2019|website=GamesRadar|access-date=October 8, 2019}}</ref>

=== Music ===
Andrew Barnabas and Paul Arnold, who had composed the soundtrack for the previous three games in the series, returned to compose for the ''MediEvil'' remake. The music of the ''MediEvil'' remake was orchestrated by [[Prague Symphony Orchestra]].<ref name=":4" /> The soundtrack consists of remastered versions of music that appeared in ''MediEvil: Resurrection'', orchestral arrangements of tracks from the original ''MediEvil'', and new tracks composed exclusively for the ''MediEvil'' remake.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wshu.org/post/bob-and-barns-fresh-music-medievil-re-release|title=Bob And Barn's Fresh Music For 'MediEvil' Re-Release|last=Remington|first=Kate|date=November 15, 2019|work=WSHU|access-date=November 16, 2019}}</ref>

=== Emulator ===
A software PlayStation emulator was developed so that the original game could be unlocked and played on the PlayStation 4, which at the time lacked any backwards compatibility with PlayStation 1 games.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yin-Poole |first=Wesley |date=20 July 2020 |title=Modder discovers PS1 emulator hidden inside MediEvil PS4 |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/modder-discovers-ps1-emulator-hidden-inside-medievil-ps4 |access-date=17 November 2022 |website=Eurogamer.net |language=en-gb}}</ref> The inclusion of the software led to attention from the modding community after launch, and resulted in attempts to run other games through ''MediEvil'''s PlayStation emulator.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lennox |first=Jesse |date=20 July 2020 |title=Fully-Functional PS1 Emulator Found Inside The MediEvil Remake |url=https://www.thegamer.com/medievil-remake-ps1-emulator/ |access-date=17 November 2022 |website=TheGamer |language=en-US}}</ref> Formal support for emulating other original PlayStation games on PS4 did not emerge until the 2022 revamp of [[PlayStation Plus]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Robinson |first=Andy |date=16 May 2022 |title=Sony has revealed some of PS Plus's new classic, PS4 and PS5 games |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/sony-has-revealed-some-of-ps-pluss-classic-ps4-and-ps5-games/ |access-date=17 November 2022 |website=Video Games Chronicle |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==Release==
The ''MediEvil'' remake was first announced as a remaster of ''MediEvil'' at the 2017 [[PlayStation Experience]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sanchez |first=Miranda |date=December 9, 2017 |title=PSX 2017: MediEvil PS4 Remaster Announced |url=https://ca.ign.com/articles/2017/12/09/psx-2017-medievil-ps4-remaster-announced |access-date=September 25, 2019 |website=IGN}}</ref> ''MediEvil'' was fully revealed on October 31, 2018,<ref>{{Cite web |last=McWhertor |first=Michael |date=October 31, 2018 |title=Watch the first trailer for MediEvil for PlayStation 4 |url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/10/31/18044066/medievil-ps4-trailer-remake |access-date=July 25, 2020 |website=Polygon}}</ref> and was confirmed to be a full remake, instead of a remaster as was previously announced. In the May 9, 2019, PlayStation State of Play, the digital only "Digital Deluxe Edition" version was revealed, which includes the Super Armor from ''[[MediEvil 2]]'' (that now increases the gold Sir Dan earns), a theme based on the game for the [[PlayStation 4 system software|PlayStation 4 user interface]], a digital art book, a digital graphic novel prequel known as ''MediEvil: Fate's Arrow,''<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1162379594101641216 |user=GunnComics |title='MediEvil: Fate's Arrow.' @Trepan (Chris Sorrell) and I are delighted to announce that our prequel/sequel story to the original MediEvil will be released as a hardback book by @ComicsTitan with @playstation this Halloween! Here's a peak at the art. #medievil |author=Jay Gunn |date=August 16, 2019 |access-date=July 25, 2020 |url=https://twitter.com/gunncomics/status/1162379594101641216}}</ref> and a digital music player featuring the soundtrack, the latter receiving a future update allowing the user to download the music.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Devore |first=Jordan |date=May 9, 2019 |title=Relive the glory of MediEvil on PS4 this October |url=https://www.destructoid.com/relive-the-glory-of-medievil-on-ps4-this-october-553105.phtml |access-date=July 25, 2020 |website=Destructoid}}</ref> In the September 24, 2019, PlayStation State of Play, a demo of ''MediEvil'', known as ''MediEvil: Short-Lived Demo'', was announced to be available from the end of the presentation until October 6, 2019. The demo features an unlockable helmet item that can carry over to the full game. The helmet is based on the Japanese version of the original ''MediEvil'', which features Sir Dan wearing a helmet by default, and also increases the difficulty level.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/medievil-demo-hacks-onto-the-playstation-store/|title=MediEvil demo hacks its way onto the PlayStation Store|last=Gerblick|first=Jordan|date=September 24, 2019|website=Gamesradar|access-date=October 4, 2019}}</ref> A version of the ''Short-Lived Demo'' with additional levels was released on December 20, 2019.<ref name=":6" />

== Reception ==
{{Video game reviews
| MC = 67/100<ref name="MC">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/medievil/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4 |title=MediEvil for PlayStation 4 Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |accessdate=October 25, 2019}}</ref>
| Destruct = 7.5/10<ref name="Destruct">{{cite web |last=Carter |first=Chris |date=October 27, 2019 |url=https://www.destructoid.com/review-medievil-ps4--569800.phtml |title=Review: MediEvil (PS4) |publisher=[[Destructoid]] |accessdate=October 27, 2019}}</ref>
| GI = 6.5/10<ref name="GI">{{cite web |last=Reiner |first=Andrew |date=October 24, 2019 |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/review/medievil/medievil-review-leave-the-skeletons-in-the-closet |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191027003657/https://www.gameinformer.com/review/medievil/medievil-review-leave-the-skeletons-in-the-closet |url-status=live |archive-date=October 27, 2019 |title=MediEvil Review – Leave The Skeletons In The Closet |publisher=[[Game Informer]] |access-date=October 24, 2019}}</ref>
| GSpot = 5/10<ref name="GSpot">{{cite web |last=Swinbanks |first=James |date=October 29, 2019 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/medievil-review-bones-n-brawn/1900-6417352/ |title=MediEvil Review - Bones 'n Brawn |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |accessdate=October 29, 2019}}</ref>
| GRadar = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="GRadar">{{cite web |last=Sheridan |first=Connor |date=October 23, 2019 |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/medievil-ps4-review/ |title=MediEvil remake review: "Too much of a Halloween treat to dislike" |publisher=[[GamesRadar]] |accessdate=October 23, 2019}}</ref>
| IGN = 6.5/10<ref name="IGN">{{cite web |last=Northup |first=Travis |date=October 23, 2019 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/10/23/medievil-review-2 |title=MediEvil Review |publisher=[[IGN]] |accessdate=October 23, 2019}}</ref>
| VG = 7/10<ref name="VG">{{cite web |last=Walker |first=Rich |date=October 23, 2019 |url=https://www.videogamer.com/reviews/medievil-review |title=MediEvil review |publisher=VideoGamer.com |accessdate=October 23, 2019}}</ref>
}}

''MediEvil'' received mixed reviews from critics. It received an aggregate score of 67/100 from review aggregator [[Metacritic]] based on 72 critics, indicating mixed or average reviews.<ref name="MC"/>

Praise was directed at the visual design, which was considered to be faithful to the original ''MediEvil'',<ref name="GI" /><ref name="GRadar" /> and the character, setting, and story.<ref name="GI" /><ref name="GSpot" /><ref name="GRadar" /><ref name="IGN" /> Aspects of ''MediEvil''{{'}}s gameplay design were often considered by critics to feel outdated, in particular the lack of a checkpoint mechanic.<ref name="IGN" /><ref name="GI"/><ref name="GSpot"/> Some mechanics like the instant death upon falling into water were also subject to criticism,<ref name=":1" /><ref name="GI" /> and were considered to be aggravated by the unreliable controls and cameras.<ref name="Destruct"/><ref name="GSpot" /> Combat was criticized for being frustrating and imprecise.<ref name="IGN" /><ref name="GRadar" />

[[IGN]]'s Travis Northup considered ''MediEvil''{{'}}s "relentlessly charming story" as its greatest strength, and praised the added details and personality to the visuals and audio, but described the combat as "sloppy and disorienting".<ref name="IGN" /> [[GameSpot]]'s James Swinbanks, while also praising characters and visual style, shared similar concerns about the combat as well as other basic tasks which are made difficult by the sloppy controls and camera movements.<ref name="GSpot" /> Destructoid's Chris Carter felt that people who did not like the original ''MediEvil'' would not like the remake either, and thought the combat mechanics "might be a little too retro for modern audiences", comparing them to older hack-and-slash games such as ''[[Golden Axe (video game)|Golden Axe]]''.<ref name=":1" /> [[Game Informer]]'s Andrew Reiner thought that ''MediEvil''{{'}}s combat system felt imprecise, and compared the game unfavorably to other remakes such as ''[[Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy]]'' and ''[[Spyro Reignited Trilogy]]''.<ref name="GI" /> In line with other reviews, [[GamesRadar+]] and VideoGamer.com praised the visuals, but criticized the outdated game design.<ref name="GRadar" /><ref name="VG" />

=== Sales ===
In the United Kingdom, ''MediEvil'' was the fifth-best-selling game in its week of release.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.pushsquare.com/news/2019/10/uk_sales_charts_wwe_2k20_debuts_in_third_despite_its_countless_glitches_going_viral|title=UK Sales Charts: WWE 2K20 Debuts in Third Despite Its Countless Glitches Going Viral|last=Tailby|first=Stephen|date=October 28, 2019|work=Push Square|access-date=November 21, 2019}}</ref> On November 5, 2019, ''MediEvil'' was listed as the third-best-selling game of the week in a chart in the combined download and retail encompassing 43 countries.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Batchelor |first=James |date=November 5, 2019 |title=Call of Duty: Modern Warfare dominates the EMEAA charts |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-11-05-call-of-duty-modern-warfare-dominates-the-emeaa-charts |access-date=July 26, 2020 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [https://www.playstation.com/en-us/games/medievil-ps4/ ''MediEvil'' U.S. PlayStation website]
{{MediEvil series}}

[[Category:2019 video games]]
[[Category:Action-adventure games]]
[[Category:Dark fantasy video games]]
[[Category:Fantasy video games set in the Middle Ages]]
[[Category:MediEvil]]
[[Category:Other Ocean Interactive games]]
[[Category:PlayStation 4 games]]
[[Category:PlayStation 4-only games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Sony Interactive Entertainment games]]
[[Category:Unreal Engine 4 games]]
[[Category:Video game remakes]]
[[Category:Video games adapted into comics]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]]
[[Category:Video games set in cemeteries]]
[[Category:Video games set in the 14th century]]
[[Category:Video games set in psychiatric hospitals]]
[[Category:Video games set in Scotland]]

{{Wikipedia attribution|original_title=MediEvil (2019 video game)|access_date=2026-03-04}}