MediEvil (1998): Difference between revisions

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 ===Tools===
 ====Graphics====
-*Alias PowerAnimator - Used for creating the FMV models and rendering them on an SGI machine.
+*Alias PowerAnimator - Used for creating the full-motion video (FMV) models and rendering them on an SGI machine.
 *Avid Matador - Used to create textures for the FMV models.
 *N-World - A 3D graphics package by Nichimen Graphics used for creating the in-game 3D models.<ref name = "atomic">{{cite web|title=jason wilson medievil design history|site=atomic-city concept art and design of Jason Wilson (archived at Wayback Machine Internet Archive)|retrieved=January 4, 2022|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20080303185334fw_/http://www.atomic-city.co.uk:80/pages/games/games_medievil.htm}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|site=Gamespot|title=Nichimen Introduces New Animation Tool|author=Mullen, Micheal|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/nichimen-introduces-new-animation-tool/1100-2451979/|published=April 27, 2000|retrieved=January 4, 2022|quote=Nichimen Graphics Inc., a company known for helping developers build 3D animation into such games as Super Mario, Final Fantasy VII, and MediEvil, has announced its latest suite of software development tools called Mirai.}}</ref>
@@ Line 99: / Line 99: @@
 *Psy-Q Software Development Kit
 ===Logo===
-The game's logo was made using the Ticonderoga font. The Japanese version of the logo uses a modified iteration of the Harrington font instead.
+The game's logo was made using the Ticonderoga typeface.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fontsinuse.com/uses/65199/medievil-video-game-logo|site=Fonts In Use|title=''MediEvil'' video game logo|published=December 21, 2024|retrieved=January 3, 2025|quote=Ticonderoga was used for the logo of the 1998 video game MediEvil. It’s featured in all caps, with letterforms of varying size and condensation, effects, and a custom skull on top of the second I. The logo appears in the game itself, as well as on the game packaging, and in advertisements for the game.}}</ref> The Japanese logo uses a modified Harrington typeface for the part written in [[Wikipedia:Latin script|Latin script]], with [[wikipedia:Japanese writing system|Japanese text]] using a modified JTCウイン ZM9 typeface.<ref>{{cite web|quote=Harrington was used for the logo of the Japanese release of the video game MediEvil. It’s primarily featured in all caps, safe for the first e, with letterforms of varying size. Some of the letter shapes have been customised, such as the first e and the Is. The logo appears in the game itself, as well as on the game packaging, and in advertisements for the game.<br><br>The font used for Japanese text is JTC Win ZM9. Some of the character shapes have been customised with flourishes and sharper ends.|url=https://fontsinuse.com/uses/65268/medievil-video-game-japanese-logo|site=Fonts In Use|title=MediEvil video game Japanese logo|published=December 28, 2024|retrieved=January 3, 2025}}</ref>
 ===Soundtrack===
 {{main|Les musiques de MediEvil}}
@@ Line 172: / Line 173: @@
 Due to disc size and technical limitations, each [[wikipedia:PAL|Phase Alternating Line]] (PAL) region language version of the game received a standalone release. Besides localisation, there are virtually no differences between these versions. However, the Spanish and Italian versions of the game feature different game over music, likely in error.
-The European versions of the game are among the first known instances of PlayStation games using LibCrypt protection.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://psxdatacenter.com/sbifiles.html|site=The PlayStation Datacenter|title=SBI FILES}}</ref>
+The European versions of the game are among the first known instances of PlayStation games using LibCrypt protection in the region.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://psxdatacenter.com/sbifiles.html|site=The PlayStation Datacenter|title=SBI FILES}}</ref>
 ====NTSC region====
 [[File:MediEvil1998-US-Packshot.jpg|right|thumb|250px|NTSC region cover art.]]
-Due to the higher refresh rate of the [[wikipedia:NTSC|NTSC]] analog television standard, the game speed in this version is much faster than in the PAL region versions. There are a few other differences as well, such as:
+Due to the higher refresh rate of the [[wikipedia:NTSC|NTSC]] analog television standard, the game speed in this version is much faster than in the PAL region versions.
-*A rework of the [[Land Map]] screen directional arrows.
+=====Land Map=====
-*The haystacks in the [[Scarecrow Fields]] level no longer shrink down when set on fire.
+The [[Land Map]] screen directional arrows were reworked. Instead of only showing the arrows for available directions, arrows for all directions are shown. Arrows for available directions are green and arrows for unavailable directions are red.
-*There is an additional hint book in [[The Asylum Grounds]] level.
+{{Comparison
-*The [[Mad Monk]] enemies were reworked into the Grounds Keepers due to cultural differences, specifically the deep religiosity of some areas of the United States.{{TwitterRef|Wilson|1181476171231498241|October 8, 2019|November 1, 2024|quote=We might speak the same language but there are cultural differences between the UK and the US. We had to make a number of concessions to the US due to the deep religious views of some States.}}
+|leftname=PAL version
+|rightname = NTSC version
+|left=[[File:MediEvil1998-LandMapPAL.png|250px]]
+|right=[[File:MediEvil1998-LandMapNTSC.png|250px]]
+}}
+=====Scarecrow Fields=====
+The haystacks in the [[Scarecrow Fields]] no longer shrink down when attacked or set on fire. This makes it impossible to claim the treasures within.
+=====The Asylum Grounds=====
+There is an additional hint book in [[The Asylum Grounds]] about the Clown hedge puzzle: "Show the Clown you care by surrounding him with smiles."
+{{Comparison
+|leftname=PAL version
+|rightname = NTSC version
+|left=[[File:MediEvil1998-AsylumGrounds-NoBook.png|250px]]
+|right=[[File:MediEvil1998-AsylumGrounds-NTSCBook.png|250px]]
+}}
+The [[Mad Monk]] enemies were reworked into the Grounds Keepers due to cultural differences, specifically the deep religiosity of some areas of the United States.{{TwitterRef|Wilson|1181476171231498241|October 8, 2019|November 1, 2024|quote=We might speak the same language but there are cultural differences between the UK and the US. We had to make a number of concessions to the US due to the deep religious views of some States.}}
 {{Comparison
 |leftname=PAL version
@@ Line 189: / Line 207: @@
 ====NTSC-J region====
 [[File:MediEvil1998-Japan-Packshot.png|thumb|250px|right|NTSC-J region cover art.]]
-The Japanese version of the game contains numerous differences, such as Sir Dan wearing a [[helmet]]. This addition was a stipulation from the studio's Japanese partners, who were concerned that Dan's skeletal head might be seen as that of a bad spirit and not a 'hero' in Japan.{{Siteref|MediEvil-Boards|11338|MediEvil developers - Q&A;|December 25, 2012|quote=For Medievil there was a worry in Japan that Dan's skeletal head might be seen as a bad spirit and not a 'hero.'|author=Wilson, Jason}}
+The Japanese version of the game is based on the NTSC version, but contains numerous differences from it, even reverting some changes present in that version.
+=====Visual changes=====
+The most notable change in this version is Sir Dan's [[helmet]]. The helmet appears in full-motion videos (FMVs) as well as an inventory item in-game. This addition was a stipulation from the studio's Japanese partners, who were concerned that Dan's skeletal head might be seen as that of a bad spirit and not a 'hero' in Japan.{{Siteref|MediEvil-Boards|11338|MediEvil developers - Q&A;|December 25, 2012|quote=For Medievil there was a worry in Japan that Dan's skeletal head might be seen as a bad spirit and not a 'hero.'|author=Wilson, Jason}}
 {{Comparison
 |leftname=Original version
@@ Line 196: / Line 216: @@
 |right=[[File:MediEvil1999-2AV-Frame820.png|250px]]
 }}
-{{Expand section}}
+Another change was the addition of an extra digit on character models that only had four fingers previously. This includes both in-game models and models in FMVs. In Japan, the number four can be pronounced the same way as the word for death (''shi''), making it an unlucky number. Additionally, Japan has a class of people suffering from discrimination known as the [[wikipedia:burakumin|burakumin]] who worked in professions such as meat packing. They became associated with having four fingers due to work-related accidents. Later, a four-fingered hand gesture directed at another person came to mean that you were calling them burakumin. Depicting characters with four fingers thus became a sensitive issue in Japan.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.oddworld.com/faq/|site=Oddworld Inhabitants|title=FAQ - OTHER|retrieved=January 8, 2025}}</ref>
+{{Comparison
+|leftname=Original version
+|rightname = Japanese version
+|left=[[File:MediEvil1998-IntroAV-Frame544.png|250px]]
+|right=[[File:MediEvil1999-IntroAV-Frame544.png|250px]]
+}}
+The game's loading and game over screens were updated to feature Dan's helmet, and the typeface used for the "LOADING" text was also changed to be the same as the one used for the game's Japanese logo.
+{{Comparison
+|leftname=Original version
+|bgcolor = black
+|valign=top
+|rightname = Japanese version
+|left=[[File:MediEvil1998-LoadingScreen1.png|250px]]
+|right=[[File:MediEvil1999-LoadingScreen1.png|250px]]
+}}
+Nine new loading screens featuring the Heroes of the Hall were also added to the game:
+<gallery mode="slideshow">
+MediEvil1999-LoadingScreen-Tim.png|Canny Tim
+MediEvil1999-LoadingScreen-Stanyer.png|Stanyer Iron Hewer
+MediEvil1999-LoadingScreen-Woden.png|Woden the Mighty
+MediEvil1999-LoadingScreen-Imanzi.png|Imanzi Shongama
+MediEvil1999-LoadingScreen-Bloodmonath.png|Bloodmonath Skull Cleaver
+MediEvil1999-LoadingScreen-Ravenhooves.png|RavenHooves the Archer
+MediEvil1999-LoadingScreen-Dirk.png|Dirk Steadfast
+MediEvil1999-LoadingScreen-Karl.png|Karl Sturnguard
+MediEvil1999-LoadingScreen-Megwynne.png|Megwynne Stormbinder
+</gallery>
+=====Textual changes=====
+*Dan's speech in cutscenes has been left unsubtitled. This makes it unskippable as a consequence.
+*Several level names were changed. For example, The Graveyard became "Gallowmere Graveyard," The Hilltop Mausoleum was renamed to "Church," and the game's final level, known as Zarok's Lair in previous versions, is known as "The Chalice of Gallowmere" in this version.
+*The message shown after defeating the [[Guardians of the Graveyard]] in [[Return to the Graveyard]] now tells the player ''how'' to perform [[the Daring Dash]]:
+{{Comparison
+|leftname=Original version
+|rightname = Japanese version
+|left=[[File:MediEvil1998-DaringDashMessage.png|250px]]
+|right=[[File:MediEvil1999-DaringDashMessage.png|250px]]
+}}
+=====Gameplay changes=====
+[[File:MediEvil1999-EmptyLifeBottle.png|thumb|The Empty Bottle.|200px]]
+*Dan's Crypt features a unique item, the Empty Bottle. It works exactly as a regular Life Bottle but is empty to begin with. This was likely done in order to teach players about filling bottles up at Health Fountains.
+*The Dragon Armour drains Dan's health when it is equipped. This creates a new bug where it is possible for Dan to die during cutscenes.
+*Some of the in-game cutscenes have been adjusted with new camera angles and animations.
+*The maximum gold value was capped at 30,000G. In the original game, this value was uncapped and could overflow.
+[[File:MediEvil1999-LightningShop.png|thumb|200px|Rechargable Lightning.]]
+*It is possible to recharge the Lightning at Merchant Gargoyles.
+*It is possible to destroy the haystacks in the Scarecrow Fields like in the PAL versions.
+*The hint book about the Clown hedge puzzle added to The Asylum Grounds level in the NTSC version of the game was removed:
+{{Comparison
+|leftname=NTSC version
+|rightname = NTSC-J version
+|left=[[File:MediEvil1998-AsylumGrounds-NTSCBook.png|250px]]
+|right=[[File:MediEvil1999-AsylumGrounds-NoBook.png|250px]]
+}}
+*A visual aid was added to the Shadow Demon tomb puzzle in The Enchanted Earth level. Notches around the center of the mural in the tomb indicate the order in which to press the buttons:
+{{Comparison
+|leftname=Original version
+|rightname = Japanese version
+|left=[[File:MediEvil1998-ShadowDemonTombMural.png|250px]]
+|right=[[File:MediEvil1999-ShadowDemonTombMural.png|250px]]
+}}
 ====Bootlegs====
 {{Empty section}}
+{{clr}}
 ===Reception===
@@ Line 219: / Line 303: @@
 According to [[Jason Wilson]], market research for the game in 1998 revealed that the game scored very highly with female gamers, especially in France.{{TwitterRef|Wilson|1049642128496893954|October 9, 2018|quote=During market research for the game in ‘98, MediEvil was found to score very highly with female gamers, especially in France. Women found Sir Dan an appealing character and different to usual macho game characters.}}
 ===Sales===
 The game sold over 800K units world-wide by November 1, 1999.<ref>{{Icon|Med2}} {{cite web|title=Press Release|site=MediEvil 2 Official Website (archived version)|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20030923004124id_/http://www.medievil2.com/uk/nonshocked/press_release/press_release1.htm}}</ref> The studio was awarded a plaque from Sony for selling 250K copies of the game in the fiscal year ending March 31, 1999. The plaque was auctioned off on eBay in the year 2020.{{TwitterRef|Alex Kanaris-Sotiriou|1325408101831479297|November 8, 2020|quote=...Finally we have a 1999 gold plaque the studio received for 250K copies...}}