MediEvil
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| MediEvil | |
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| Developer(s) | SCE Studios Cambridge |
| Publisher(s) | SCE |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation, PlayStation Network |
| Release date | JP June 17, 1999 NA October 1998 EU October 1998 PlayStation Network NA September 20, 2007 EU September 20, 2007 |
| Genre(s) | Platform game |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
| Rating(s) | ELSPA: 11+ ESRB: Teen OFLC: G8+ |
MediEvil is a platform game released in October 1998 for Sony PlayStation in Europe and North America, and in June 1999 in Japan. The game was followed by MediEvil II in 2000. Then, in 2005, the original game was remade as MediEvil Resurrection. In 2007, the original PlayStation version was made available via the PlayStation Store to be played on PSP and PlayStation 3.
MediEvil was released as a Platinum title and is considered by some to be a classic Gothic horror game. It encompasses the times and themes of the Medieval age, Gothic horror, and Gothic art.
Contents |
[edit] Plot
The game starts out as a flashback in the 13th century in the fictional English Kingdom of Gallowmere. The game puts the player in control of Sir Daniel Fortesque: a brave (according to him) knight who, despite his tales of gallantry, was the first to die during the battle against the evil wizard Zarok; he got hit in the eye by an arrow in the first charge in a battle with Zarok's undead armies back in 1286.
One century later, in 1386, Zarok returned, but the waves of necromantic energy he has unleashed upon the countryside have unwittingly revitalized the skeletal corpse of Sir Fortesque, still missing the eye where he was hit. Unable to go to the Hall of Heroes in death due to his failures in life, Sir Fortesque sets out from his crypt to exact his revenge upon Zarok and "prove himself a true hero" now that he has been given a second chance. The setting is established by the game's opening narration:
| “ | In time long ago, there lived in the Kingdom of Gallowmere a Sorcerer named Zarok. This arrogant, pitiless man hated his fellow citizens for their simple and peaceful ways, so he raised an army of demons and set out to take the realm for his own.
The King’s champion, Sir Daniel Fortesque, led the militia into battle against this unholy horde. Songs are still sung of how he spear headed the charge deep into the accursed multitude, how demons fell before him like wheat before the scythe, and how at last, though mortally wounded, he destroyed the sorcerer utterly. Fortesque went down in history that day, as the hero of Gallowmere, and a time of peace began which was to last for a hundred years. And then the sorcerer returned... |
” |
The user manual elaborates upon this.
| “ | The history books tell of a hero, Sir Daniel Fortesque, who single-handedly halted an invasion by the zombie hoards of Zarok the Sorcerer...
...But then, history books are often known to lie. For years, Daniel Fortesque had regaled the nobles of Gallowmere with wild tales of slain dragons and vanquished legions. The King was so impressed he made Daniel a knight and appointed him head of the Royal Battalion. Of course, it was only an honorary post - Gallowmere had not seen a war in many centuries - but the King liked stories, and Dan was an excellent storyteller. But then evil Zarok the mad magician returned from years in exile. Embittered, and filled with wrath, he threatened to unleash an army of zombies that he had built using the darkest of magic. The King was in desperate need of a hero and knew exactly who he wanted. Sir Daniel was dragged from his bed and thrust at the front of the King's army to face a monstrous enemy. The battle commenced and within seconds Sir Dan fell to the ground, struck in the eye with the very first arrow fired. His wound was fatal and the army was left to fight on without him. Zarok's legions were defeated, but Zarok himself was never found. Embarrassed by Dan's poor show, and realising his subjects needed to feel safe, King Peregrin declared that Sir Daniel Fortesque had died in mortal combat, seconds after killing the sinister wizard. A hero's tomb was erected to Dan, the history books inscribed with tales of his valour. Zarok was soon forgotten, a lost character in history's plays. But Zarok himself never forgot, he lay in hiding, creating a bigger, stronger army of mutated monsters. 100 years later, his scheming complete, Zarok returned... |
” |
[edit] Characters
Sir Daniel Fortesque.-aka Sir Dan: The captain of the guard who fell in the first wave of arrows at the Battle of Gallowmere. He was unknowingly resurrected by Zarok a hundred years later, and has been given a chance in death to prove himself the hero he never was in life.
[edit] Heroes
The heroes who help Dan are as follows. Each of their stories can be read in 'Heroes from history: A Retrospective'. This book can be found in the library of the town of Gallowmere, along with the 'Tourist Guide to Gallowmere' (2 parts) and the 'History of Gallowmere' (4 volumes). Each hero also has a representative statue found in the Hall of Heroes.
| Stanyer Iron Hewer | gives Dan the War hammer | In addition to being the strongest man who ever lived Stanyer Iron Hewer was unsurpassed in his skill as a blacksmith. He was equally happy pounding on his anvil at home as he was pounding on someone’s head in battle. It was said that his only fear was the end of the village smithy as the focus of manufacture in favor of more centralized units - as if! |
| Bloodmonath Skull Cleaver | gives Dan the Battle Axe | Born a humble peasant to one of the nomadic tribes from the East lands, Bloodmonath Skull Cleaver gathered an army of horsemen and swept over half the civilized world. When he finally died (attempting a single handed attack on a garrison in the North while armed only with the spike on his helmet) he was the wealthiest peasant of his day. |
| Karl Sturnguard | gives Dan the Golden Shield | Karl Sturnguard spent most of his formative years under siege at his family castle. With his impregnable magic shield Sturnguard’s motto was ‘the best form of attack is defense’. Sadly his shield couldn’t protect him against poor eating habits and he died during a post battle feast while swallowing a large sausage he had failed to chew. |
| Woden the Mighty | gives Dan the Broadsword | Truly the hero’s hero, Woden the Mighty, was fearless, single-minded, and uncompromising. Unbeaten in combat, he inspired raw fear in friends and enemies alike, not to mention in close family members and pets. |
| Imanzi Shongama | gives Dan the Spear | Trained from birth in all forms of combat, Imanzi Shongama was the warrior queen of a tribe of Amazons. The bold and the beautiful Shongama banished all males from her territory except the handful she kept on to mow the lawns of her people. |
| Megwynne Stormbinder | gives Dan the Lightning | A full time mother and homemaker, Magwynne Stormbinder had to defend her settlement from barbarian raiders while the menfolk were away on a hunting trip. She fought off repeated attacks armed only with a pitchfork and a rolling pin and with one arm holding her baby. Legend has it that the Gods, impressed by her indomitable courage, intervened and added thunder bolts to her arsenal. She won the battle with a couple of bolts to spare on her husband when he finally returned. |
| Dirk Steadfast | gives Dan the Magic Sword | Dirk Steadfast was a fearsome opponent thanks to his magic sword and a firmly held belief that ‘only women defend themselves - real men are always on the attack’. He was a friend and contemporary of Karl Sturnguard and was with him even to the end: it was whilst Steadfast was explaining his views on Sturnguard’s shield during a feast that the latter had his tragic and inexplicable accident. He speaks with a strong Scouse accent. |
| RavenHooves the Archer | gives Dan the Longbow, Flaming Longbow, and the Magic Longbow | Descended from the finest centaur blood stock RavenHooves the Archer was the last prince of his people. A proud and haughty aristocrat he was an accomplished hunter, sportsman, duellist, playboy, raconteur, and three times Derby winner. |
| Canny Tim | gives Dan the Crossbow | A marksman of a Crossbowman part of the cavalry led by Sir Dan, and killed Zarok's champion Lord Kardock (during the battle before he was re-summoned to fight Dan in the game) by shooting him in the eye at three hundred yards away. He was killed during the battle himself. Before the battle, in MediEvil Resurrection, he mentions that he had told stories of heroism and ghosts with his comrades that would keep them up all night scared (though Dan says it may have just been him... which would state that he may have been the most cowardly of all the heroes next to Dan). |
[edit] Gargoyles
Gargoyles are merely large stone heads found upon the surface of walls. When active or speaking, the apparent lower jaw bone moves up and down in accordance to their activity. Gargoyles can be called upon by hitting with weaponry. It is somewhat difficult to call upon a gargoyle if using small weaponry or unit attacks, so mêlée weapons used in close range will work well instead. It is well noted that the game status is paused (except music and sound effects) when speaking to a gargoyle, so any enemies nearby cannot attack you.
| Gargoyles | These green gargoyles tell of old stories about the history of Gallowmere; bizarrely, in a Mockney accent. They usually speak in the collective first-person narration, and offer advice to Dan in his quest. However, generally all the gargoyles criticize Sir Dan and emphasise his failure in battle a century ago. They tend to be clairvoyent, and tell Dan exactly how to perform some tasks. Some of these gargoyles automatically start a conversation with Sir Dan when he walks in their view, depending on how important their speech is and if they have been listened to before. |
| Merchant Gargoyles | These "ever-greedy" blue stone retailers will offer Dan a variety of armour supplies and ammunition in his quest, for an unbelievable price. It is the player's responsibility within the game to collect as much money as possible in order to buy services and supplies. These gargoyles may also offer weapons that have been traded by the imps that steal from Sir Dan, categorised under "Second Hand Goods". In MediEvil Resurrection, they are red. |
[edit] Witches
There are two witches found in the game. They can be summoned using the Talisman as collected in Cemetery Hill, which is in the shape of gold star with a circle extended halfway through the triangles. Witches are historically found in covens, but have been beaten out from the caves of Cemetery Hill, but their lasting smell, as described by a gargoyle, creates a stench and makes the "eyes sting". The witches found in this game can be found wherever there is a cauldron. When witches appear, they make an electric static noise and instantly appear from nothing.
| Witch of the Forest | The Enchanted Forest | This witch stands over her cauldron, stirring her mixture. She calls upon Sir Dan to collect 7 pieces of amber within The Ant Caves. She uses a magical spell cast from her fingers to shrink Sir Dan to "the size of an insect". She is somewhat comical with Sir Dan about being a hero, calling him "lord of the ants" when he returns. She also describes herself as a "wart covered and cabbage smelling crone". She gives Sir Dan 30 Chicken Drumsticks, Which amusingly are the most powerful weapons in the game. |
| The Pumpkin Witch | The Pumpkin Serpent | This witch hovers above her cauldron, and appears to resemble a pumpkin herself. She says that she cares for the pumpkins, providing them with "all the love and care a young fruit could ever ask for". She asks Sir Dan to teach The Pumpkin Serpent, an oversized pumpkin, to not be a bad influence upon the seedlings. However, Sir Dan is meant to kill the vegetable and allow the pumpkins to once again thrive and grow. In return, the witch gives Sir Dan a dragon gem, and she states that dragons are lovely and majestic creatures. |
[edit] Other characters
The levels mentioned in this section define where characters are encountered for the first time.
| Zarok | Cemetery Hill (also Zarok's Lair and FMV sequences) | The evil necromancer who uses a magic spell book to control all the bodies of Gallowmere. He has the intent to use necromantic power to bring the dead back to life, and also to hypnotise the people of Gallowmere into attacking Sir Dan. Zarok has used science (referred to as "the darkest of all magics") to create The Time Device, a city of large and dangerous machinery controlled by complex cogs and levers, which merely seems to only calculate and manage time. Zarok has his own personal train which has rails surrounding his lair. Zarok has some problems casting spells in the last level of the game, which, after transforming into a serpent monster, cause him to cluck like a chicken. Zarok gains control of the Stone Monsters and the Shadow Demons, which Sir Dan encounters. Zarok also has guards, who are equipped with gunpowder guns and silver armour. Zarok wears a red cape and has a sceptre in the shape of a trident. |
| Jack of The Green | The Asylum Grounds | The "master of riddles" who owns the maze of the entrance to The Asylum. His riddles are "so perplexingly complex that no man has ever solved them". The riddles represent tasks that Sir Dan must complete in the level in order to access other areas. Jack becomes very annoyed at Sir Dan when he solves all his riddles, and finally allows Sir Dan free access around the maze, upon which he must find his own way out. Jack speaks very professionally, using a wide vocabulary to describe and boast about how his riddles are almost impossible to solve. |
| The Mayor | The Asylum | A middle-aged man who wears blue clothes and a tall top hat (similar to the Mayor in The Nightmare Before Christmas), the Mayor is the poor soul who has been kidnapped by Zarok and locked in a cage. He has a home in the village, where he keeps a large safe that holds the Shadow Artefact, but Sir Dan requires the key hidden inside the church to unlock it. The Mayor had the church crucifix melted down to conceal this secret area of the church, but also left the town's savior, Sir Dan, a crucifix cast so he make a new one. He speaks in a somewhat uncivilised manner and describes Zarok as a "lanky windbag". |
| Fairy | The Ant Caves | Fairies are small flying creatures that have very deep voices. They have control of fireflies that help Sir Dan to see in the dark. Six fairies are trapped inside the walls of the caves, and reward Sir Dan with a trip to the Hall of Heroes. |
| Boat man | Pools of the Ancient Dead | The Boat man resembles Death, with a black cloak covering his face, however, some people mistake the Boat man for actually being the character of Death in this game (see here), but he states that he only ferries "lost souls on their final journey to the land of The Dead" and he does not carry a scythe. Sir Dan must collect 8 lost souls in order for the Boat man to drop Sir Dan "off at the sunken town of Mellowmede" (The Lake), since the Boat man is "up to [his] eye sockets in lost souls who’ve woken from the eternal sleep", caused by "Zarok’s meddlings". |
| Dragon | The Crystal Caves | A lonely and sleepy red-scaled fire-breathing beast. He is only seen by his head, peeping through the walls. He is scared to come out as he fears the roof might fall upon him. When Sir Dan has harmed him, the dragon gives him the Dragon Potion, which generates a suit of armour that is "impervious to heat, plus it lets you breath fire". He has a voice very similar to Sean Connery. |
| Farmers | The Haunted Ruins | These characters are captured by the Shadow Demons and held at the stake to be burnt. They are found near the entrance of the castle. In order to help them survive, Sir Dan must stop the Shadow Demons from pressing a floor button that will set the farmers on fire but also open the entrance gate. Sir Dan must use War Hammer to put out the fires, free them by pressing the button, and open the gate. If Dan returns to the beginning of the level where the chickens are found, Dan is offered golden chests of money. |
| King Peregrin | The Haunted Ruins | The king of the castle has been reduced to a ghost, who can be summoned using his crown. He is very optimistic about war with Zarok and forces Sir Dan into collapsing the castle on top of Zarok and the Shadow Demons. |
| Captain | The Ghost Ship | The pirate captain, who is very tall and wears a red coat, insists on removing or harming the private parts of the stowaway Sir Dan. His boatswain tries to negotiate with the Captain so that Sir Dan can instead get "a good tongue lashing" and be dropped "off at the next port". However, the captain denies such actions and requests the he meets the landlubber. |
| Lord Kardock | Zarok's Lair | Zarok's fierce champion, who rides upon a horse, swings a mace and can generate a strong force field for defense. |
[edit] Gameplay
During the game, the player may go through several places, from graveyards full of zombies, to a flying ghost ship full of undead pirates and to a levitating game board in an enchanted forest with flying demons. There are also several collectible items found in the levels in order to proceed to further areas or levels. Some items collected early on are required in later levels.
There are several books placed upon stands all over areas in the game which may offer advice to Sir Dan, or generally the history of the area. Some of them are placed in hidden places, some contain humorous jokes, but most of the time they are found along the path that Sir Dan takes. They can be read if struck with a close range weapon. One example of a book says:
| “ | Welcome back to your beloved Gallowmere. The stinking dead have risen up to dance with the lifeless living, and they want to do it over your dead body. | ” |
[edit] Life
Gameplay starts in Dan's Crypt, which starts Sir Dan off with Dan's Arm and no green life bottles. One life bottle counts as 300 health points, and the maximum amount of life bottles is 9. When a life bottle is depleted after attacks from the enemy or environment, Dan loses a life. Life bottles are collected in the game and can be replenished using energy vials or green fountains that emanate energy. If Dan loses all his life, it is Game Over and Dan must play from where he last saved.
When attacked by an enemy, Dan's health reduces minimally, but when Dan falls into water or magma, or falls from a great height, he loses a whole life. If he has fallen, Dan will first lose a life, and then the next available life bottle will become focus. Dan's body will also be automatically returned to a safe position from where he fell.
Dan's current life meter is placed at the top of the screen in the center, indicated by a moving green bar. If this bar has been emptied during battle, any remaining bottles and life points will automatically replace empty ones as to not disrupt gameplay. Dan glows with green dust particles when he has been replenished with a new life bottle.
Life bottles are considered to be very good rewards (by the Heroes in the Hall of Heroes) and usually only one is found during one level (the exception is Dan's Crypt, which contains an obvious bottle and a hidden one).
Dan can replenish his health by standing over a glowing "green eruption" of slime called a "Fountain of Rejuvenation" or "Health Fountain". This chimney will run out after 600 points, which will fill two life bottles. This is similar to the green source code generating from faults found in The Matrix series. Once a fountain in one level has been used up, it will restore back to full storage if the level is replayed.
Energy vials give Dan 225 health points, and are much thinner than the life bottle. Energy vials are usually found with one or two others as to replace a whole life quickly. If all of Sir Dan's life bottles are full, Dan will still take the energy vials, but will not gain any more health points from collecting it.
Chicken Drumsticks give Dan 20 health points.
[edit] Money
Dan can also collect money in this game which can be used to buy products or services from blue gargoyles. Money comes in the form of red bags, which give Dan 10G, Kill Rat or Hands which give Dan 1G or 2G or golden treasure chests, which give Dan 50G. The icon and value of money is located at the top-right of the screen. Red money bags appear often during early levels, and golden treasure chests appear if long tasks are completed as a large reward. Parts of buildings that are initially concealed also contain several chests.
The maximum storage of money is 99999G. This can only be easily reached using a cheat.
[edit] Chalices
Throughout the levels Sir Dan is presented with an opportunity to collect that particular level's chalice, by filling it up with the souls of his enemies. This mystical item enables him to visit the fabled Hall of Heroes after the conclusion of the level. Dan can only collect the chalice in each level when he has dispatched enough "defeated adversaries" to reach 100%. Chalices are hidden well and are not always at the end of a level, so Dan must back-track to the beginning to find it. In the "Afterlife's Hall of Heroes", he can converse with past heroes, "await spiritual guidance" and receive useful items or weapons to help him in his quest.
The bravest champions in the Hall of Heroes are said to "spend an eternity resting, feasting and exchanging tales of their greatest victories". To speak with a hero, Dan must search around the Hall for a statue "bathed in a ghostly coloured glow", and then stand upon the symbol of the chalice before them. The ghostly stairs to get to the upper level of the hall will only become solid when the heroes on the lower floor have given all they have to give to Sir Dan.
The player is able to save the game at the end of every level, which may be after leaving the Hall of Heroes. However, once completing the final level, the player does not get the chance to save the game at 100%. There are also two different end clips shown when the game is complete.
- If fewer or more than 20 chalices are found (possible via the cheat to get the Chalice for Dan's Crypt), you see Dan escaping from Zarok's empire, being picked up by the eagle and regarding the spear-like entities of the lost souls returning to their bodies. However, Dan does not get his soul back, and returns to sleep on his crypt.
- If exactly 20 chalices are found, the above clip is played, without "The End" shown. You then see Dan entering the active Hall of Heroes, upon which Dan somersaults across the table, is seated, and then drinks from a chalice, upon which all the other heroes cheer as they finally accept him. The image then zooms out from Gallowmere and the world, to look into space where there is a dust cloud shaped like Sir Dan, and then "The End" is displayed.
Following the final movie sequence is the credits, which features several images that capture the design models and sketches by artists in the creation of the game, and also some humorous comments as well.
[edit] Rune Stones
In order for Dan to access different areas of the levels, he must use a range of collectible runes that are found in awkward places or revealed in secret areas. Each rune, which may be Chaos (red), Moon (blue), Earth (green), Time (silver) or Star (gold), will either open a door or gate, or activate part of a sequence in order to proceed to the next scene or room. Runes are placed upon stone hands which they remain for the level. Different runes are found on different levels, however, there is no known relevance to whether their meanings (Chaos, Time etc.) actually categorise actions within the game. However, only certain types of runes will fit in certain hands, so they must be collected to finish a level.
[edit] Enemies
Alongside weapons, there are also enemies, particularly zombies, which Dan must defeat. Very simple weapons will require much use in order to finish off a single enemy. Some enemies can only be attacked either at certain times or using specific weapons, for example, The Stained Glass Demon can only be struck when he his heart is revealed, which is the most vulnerable time of attack. Many weapons, such as swords and throwing daggers, can be charged up to produce a more powerful attack. Holding down the Square button will increase the range and power of an attack.
[edit] Other
Inside most levels are other interactive environment features such as levers, air pumps, and buttons on the ground. These will cause either rooms to open, runes to be revealed, objects to be combined, or sequences activated, such as the Fire Earth Water Wind sequence to release the Shadow Demons in The Enchanted Earth. Some walls can also be knocked down to reveal hidden secrets and they are shown by a brighter surface colour.
Other elements include chests that contain purple lightning bombs, which, when opened, will hover in the air momentarily, then hit the ground and produce a large domed explosion that destroys zombies, activates switches, and can, upon close range, open other chests (see Pools of the Ancient Dead). Fortunately, Dan is unharmed by this electric field, but his body will shake vigorously upon the ground during the blast, which can be fatal if near water, hot magma or a great height such as a cliff. These chests are quite large and have a skull and cross-bones symbol on them to signify danger.
Zarok leaves a green "stinking trail of magic slime" near the exits of every level. Before Sir Dan can retrace through the other levels in Zarok's "diabolical odyssey", Dan must first open the exits to each level, which are blocked off until the player has completed other tasks.
[edit] Weaponry
Many of the weapons found in the game are initially based upon the Gothic theme, some of which are terribly violent when charged up. Weapons are collected from the Hall of Heroes after completing most levels and collecting the chalice for that level. The weapons provided with claimed chalices are described above with the characters, or the heroes from the Hall of Heroes.
Weapons that have no Value in this table are indestructible, or in other words, cannot be destroyed after using in attack. Weapons that do have a point value are lost after all of the units have been used up. For example, after all the crossbow arrows have been shot, the crossbow is no longer available unless more arrows are purchased.
All weapons appear on the first row of the Inventory, and only one can be selected at a time by using X to confirm. Attacks made by indestructible weapons only attack once when the X button is held down or pressed. If unit-based weapons are used when X is held, the units of weapon will continue to be rapidly thrown, used, shot or fired (in the direction Dan is facing) until X is released or until there are no more of that type of weapon. An exception to this is the club, which only hits once when X is held.
Some weapons, including the indestructible ones, can be charged up by holding the Square button, and performed when the button is released. For example, the Hammer, when charged, creates a small shock wave on the ground and attacks enemies several times automatically.
[edit] Levels
At the beginning of most levels is either a book or a green Gargoyle that will provide Dan with a brief history or insight into the troubles of the area in the level.
- Dan’s Crypt - The home where Dan has slept for 100 years. This level includes throwing daggers, a small sword and a bronze shield. Dan also experiences walking in very shallow water, which is safe, but he learns that deeper water is fatal to him.
- The Graveyard - Dan gets his first chance to kill some zombies. Notice the small hands wondering around the level, they can be squished with a weapon found later to get gold as currency. Features a rotating angel statue that controls certain gates that open and close.
- Cemetery Hill - Dan must travel up the hill to get to the next level, but must avoid the rolling boulders that run down the paths. There is a secret collection of rooms inside the hill, accessed from the side that opens to reveal a witch's cavern and several items trapped in small cells. The club weapon is also found in this level, which can alternatively be used as a torch lighter. The Witch Talisman is found in one cell, which is later used twice to call upon a witch near her cauldron.
- The Hilltop Mausoleum - Dan must fight the Stained Glass Demon and battle an army of thieving imps. He also must explore several underground and collapsing corridors to find the Sheet Music, avoiding or destroying the fatal glass spikes that get in his way. This item can then be taken by the ghostly organ player to reveal a hidden area. Dan must first find the Demon's heart and light it to awaken the Demon. When encountered and destroyed, the Skull Key is found to enter the next level.
- Return to the Graveyard - Dan returns to a previously locked area of The Graveyard and uses the Skull Key to find several wolves and zombie enemies. Dan must also create a path using large stones to cross the slimy river to get to the Guardian Wolves. If they are beaten, the Daring Dash ability is permanently learnt. There is also a secret area at the start of this level that can be accessed by standing on the floating coffins on the river.
- Scarecrow Fields – Dan must travel through the fields of zombie farmers, destroy large mechanical beasts and survive several dangerous wheat grinders and pounds to find the Harvester Part. He may also release the mighty trapped snake (Kul Katura the Serpent Lord) to help him kill the local walking dead. The most resistant enemy is met in this level, the scarecrow, which traps Dan in certain areas until killed. Also, the wheat fields seem to have been cursed with wheat demons by Zarok, and to take even a step into one of them brings death.
- Pumpkin Gorge – Dan must venture through the gorge of exploding pumpkins, levitating mushrooms and living pumpkin creatures to finally encounter the King of the Pumpkins.
- The Pumpkin Serpent – Dan must awaken the greedy Pumpkin King and kill his army of pumpkin mutants to claim the first Dragon Gem from the Pumpkin Witch (who can only be summoned with the Witch Talisman).
- The Sleeping Village – Dan must tread very carefully and avoid harming the bewitched residents of the town, for he cannot claim the chalice without them surviving. He must collect a range of carefully placed items (Landlord's Bust, Crucifix Cast) to rebuild the Crucifix, place it in the church, reveal the Safe Key to the safe in the Mayor’s home and finally possess the Shadow Artefact. He must then fight Zarok’s most trusted guards in order to escape the chaos.
- The Asylum Grounds – Dan must challenge Jack of the Green, a great cryptic puzzler and domain master of the maze. Dan must solve problems including those below to escape the mysterious and continuous wall patterns, and complete one final chessboard puzzle.
- Inside The Asylum – Dan must survive through several devilish levels and rooms of asylum inmates and crazed zombies, in order to release The Mayor and find the second and final Dragon Gem.
- The Enchanted Earth – Dan must travel up to the highest reaches of the eagle’s nest, find the forest witch, release the Shadow Demons from their tomb under the earth, and battle the two flying demons upon a levitating chessboard that tips from side to side.
- The Ant Caves – Dan, now shrunken to the size of an insect, must venture through the deep and dark caves of the ants, find seven pieces of amber for the witch, battle the great ant queen and release six spiritual and helpful fairies to be granted access to the Hall of Heroes. This is a secret level, and can only be found by summoning the Witch of the Forest in the Enchanted Earth.
- Pools of the Ancient Dead – Dan must roam through the lands of ancient and immortal dead in order to claim eight lost souls for the anxious character of the Boat man.
- The Lake – Dan comes across a vast and complicated network of paths standing above the lake. Dan must find the runes to activate the Crystal Contraptions of the town of Mellowmede to freeze the lake and find the cave to the next level. He must also fight the defensive and watchful imp beasts that leap from the deep waters below.
- The Crystal Caves – Dan travels through the forgotten lands of the crystal caves, awakening the deadly Rhinotaurs with every step, and finally meet the grouchy and lonely dragon to claim the powerful Dragon Potion. Dan has to walk upon crystals that stand above a green sticky lake, collect items in a room that has rotating crystal beams, and use a rune to levitate a crystal bridge. There are also thief imps and attack-bats in this level.
- The Gallows Gauntlet – Hidden within this level is a dangerous and ancient dragon. if Dan encounters its chest and approaches it, he better start running! Some of the zombies in this area look like Frankenstein, and some still remain on their hanging stands. If Dan has previously collected the Dragon Armour, he can now pass through the fiery Dragon Gate.
- The Haunted Ruins – Dan returns to his old home at King Peregrine’s castle, only to find that the Shadow Demons and Zarok are plotting the takeover of all of Gallowmere, while just beneath the destructive flood gates of the furious volcano. Dan must collapse the castle on top of them with the help of the King’s ghost to escape the ensuing inferno in time, quickly solving several methodical forms of traps.
- The Ghost Ship – Dan has been captured by the eagle from earlier, only to be dropped on this ghostly ship of dead soldiers and sailors. Dan encounters several complex and mechanical rotating systems to avoid falling down or being hit by large cannons. He must finally reach the Captain of the ship and knock him off to proceed on course.
- The Entrance Hall – Dan sets down at Zarok’s large home, trying not to lose his vast weaponry to the mischievous imps, who are shielded by magic. He also observes the rotating planets and waterfall as originally in the MediEvil title sequence.
- The Time Device – Dan must activate and manipulate several threatening contraptions to find his way around this time-dependent machine as built by the great scientist Zarok himself. Dan also travels on Zarok’s personal train to open the gates leading to the final level. Dan also encounters Zarok’s security guards once more before the final round.
- Zarok’s Lair – In this final level, Dan, now proven as a hero, must destroy Zarok once and for all, but first, he must sacrifice his health to his captured souls from the Chalice and beat Zarok’s winning champion Kardok. Finally, we encounter Zarok, who has mutated himself into a forceful, great, slithering, clucking, spitting and lightning-field generating evil beast. Will Daniel finally kill Zarok and escape his crumbling empire before he dies within?
[edit] Critical Acclaim
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MediEvil is one of the most popular and celebrated games on PlayStation. Game Magazine gave it a 91% while popular multimedia site IGN heralded it as "...a fun game and one of PlayStation's classics". Other awards include:
- Best PlayStation Game - Gaming Expo
- Best Platinum Seller 1999 - PlayStation Magazine
- Gold Award - PlayStation Magazine
- Silver Award - Monthly Games
- Token Prize - Network Games
[edit] Soundtrack
MediEvil PlayStation game credits track
The original soundtrack of this game was made using electronic synthesizers to simulate an entire orchestra and organ, most probably centralised around eerie and Gothic sounds. For example, the track used for The Haunted Ruins starts with a violin playing, but other sounds accompany this afterward. MediEvil Resurrection alternatively uses a real orchestra, and recreates the sounds made from the original version. An album was made from this music and signed copies can be purchased, under the artist name of Bob and Barn. The two soundtracks are very similar, but some levels have been given alternative titles to tracks. The entire album can be played on the MediEvil Resurrection website.
The credits music, with a sample linked above to the right, was remixed in the game MediEvil II. The third game of the series, MediEvil Resurrection, uses a live recording of the remixed version found in MediEvil II, instead of the original.
[edit] Other information
This game was originally in development by Millennium Interactive, but the company was bought by Sony, thus Sony garnered the rights to this game.
The official MediEvil website, designed to contain several flash elements, information pages about the game and free downloads, had been shut down, possibly due to unpopularity or simply because MediEvil II's website still exists today.
MediEvil takes one memory block on a 1MB Sony PlayStation memory card.
MediEvil is one of the first games to support a Dual Shock (TM) controller. The Analog Controller also allows the user to toggle the Walk/Run feature in this game by pressing the L3 button.
[edit] Additional content
Inside original copies of the MediEvil PlayStation box is enclosed a poster featuring an insight into MediEvil's sequel, "MediEvil II". This details new characters and levels such as The Museum, Wulfrum Hall, The Count, Dankenstein and The Time Machine, set in 19th century London.
On the reverse of this image are map instructions for the first four levels of the game: Dan's Crypt, The Graveyard, Cemetery Hill and The Hilltop Mausoleum. These include details of the locations of vials, the chalice, life bottles, rune stones, gargoyles, rune hands, bronze and silver shields, primary weapons and other secrets which may only be accessible after finding certain items or completing certain tasks.
The weapons that are described for the first few levels are: a small sword, throwing daggers, a crossbow and a club. There are several more weapons available in the Hall of Heroes (see above).
[edit] Trivia
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Trivia sections are discouraged under Wikipedia guidelines. The article could be improved by integrating relevant items and removing inappropriate ones. |
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This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (February 2008) |
- There is an FMV cutscene in which Dan comes across the locked door of the Asylum and uses the worm living in his eye to unlock it. Whilst this is viewable in the extras, it does not actually appear during gameplay.
- In the original trailers, there is a level in which Dan has to escape from a chasing dragon. This level does not show in the final version, instead just pitching the entire escape within an FMV cutscene. This dragon is the jabberwocky, created by Jason Wilson and apparently pulled from the game.
- Sir Daniel Fortesque also appears as a unlockable character in SCEA's Hot Shots Golf 2 for the PlayStation.
- The game was heavily inspired by Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas. The most notable inspiration is the game's mayor, who shares a very similar appearance to the mayor from the movie.
- The days on which Sir Dan died and was brought back to life vary depending on which source is used. The official MediEvil website gives the following dates 715 - 747 AD, 847 AD - . While MediEvil II which takes place in 19th century London, and is said to be set 500 years after the first game, makes the dates 1250 - 1286 AD 1386 AD - .
[edit] External links
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