MediEvil Rolling Demo: Difference between revisions

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    ==Gameplay==
    ==Gameplay==
    {{#ev:youtube|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqeiO779bAI|alignment=right|description=The demo as recorded by EnergeticLute33.}}
    {{#ev:youtube|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqeiO779bAI|alignment=right|description=The demo as recorded by EnergeticLute33.}}
    As the [[Wiktionary:rolling demo|name suggests]], the demo is largely non-interactive and cannot be properly played without [[#GameShark codes|cheating]] or hacking. However, the player can use the {{B|X}} button to skip any of the demo's segments and pressing {{B|SELECT}} can be used to return to the demo disc's main menu.
    As the [[Wiktionary:rolling demo|name suggests]], the demo is largely non-interactive and cannot be properly played without [[#GameShark codes|cheating]] or hacking. However, the player can use {{B|X}} to skip any of the demo's segments and pressing {{B|SELECT}} can be used to return to the demo disc's main menu.
    ===Sequence===
    ===Sequence===
    The demo lasts just over 10 minutes (loading included) and is made up of 17 segments which show off 10 unique levels. The whole sequence is as follows:
    The demo lasts just over 10 minutes (loading included) and is made up of 17 segments which show off 10 unique levels. The whole sequence is as follows:

    Revision as of 23:54, 10 May 2022

    Rolling Demo splash screen.

    The MediEvil Rolling Demo is a version of MediEvil that is 400 days older than the final version of the game. The demo was released on two PAL region demo discs in late 1997 – Winter Releases '97 demo 01 and Registered Users Demo 02 – the former of which was given out at the European Computer Trade Show.[1] Files on the discs suggest that the demo finished development around August 14, 1997.

    Gameplay

    The demo as recorded by EnergeticLute33.

    As the name suggests, the demo is largely non-interactive and cannot be properly played without cheating or hacking. However, the player can use X button to skip any of the demo's segments and pressing SELECT can be used to return to the demo disc's main menu.

    Sequence

    The demo lasts just over 10 minutes (loading included) and is made up of 17 segments which show off 10 unique levels. The whole sequence is as follows:

    1. The Graveyard - Sir Dan starts at the beginning of the level with three Lives and two Energy Bones. He wields the Small Sword. He fails at fighting the first zombie he encounters and loses an Energy Bone. He obtains a shield from a chest. Afterwards he successfully kills two zombies for a total score of 250 points. Then he proceeds up a hill to collect the Chaos Rune.
    2. The Desecrated Church - Dan begins in the catacombs underneath the church with three Lives and three Energy bones. Here he trades his Small Sword for the Crossbow. He successfully kills an Imp for 125 points. Soon after his crossbow is stolen by another Imp. He is forced to use his Own arm. He uses it to destroy a Skull Chest which unleashes a Smart Bomb. The Imps are killed but not before Dan takes some damage from an Imp's torch.
    3. The Ant Caves - Dan has three Lives and five Energy Bones and is wielding a Club. He uses it to crush an ant for 300 points. He picks up a Power-up Potion which makes the Club emit shockwaves. He then kills an ant larva and unleashes a Smart Bomb which kills even more of them. Afterwards he proceeds to kill another ant with the Club for a score of 700 points, though he loses two Energy Bones in the process.
    4. The Ghost Ship - Here Dan begins with three Lives and five Energy Bones again. He also has the Magic Sword and immediately picks up the Star Rune. He manages to lose three Energy Bones while making his way past the pirates on the ship.
    5. The Asylum Grounds - Dan has three Lives and three Energy Bones. He carries the Axe which he uses to dispatch Mad Monks and a hedge dragon. He picks up a Power-up Potion which envelops him in a barrier that deals damage to enemies. After killing more Mad Monks, Dan's total score at the end of the segment is 1425 points.
    6. Pools of the Ancient Dead - Dan has three Lives, nine Energy Bones and the Crossbow. He fends off a tentacle and three Armoured Knights for 475 points in total. However, he does also lose an Energy Bone.
    7. Pumpkin Gorge - Dan begins with three Lives and two Energy Bones. He wields the Big Sword. He is immediately assaulted by exploding Pumpkin Bombs and loses an Energy Bone. He fights his way into the cave in front of him where he picks up the Moon Rune. He then makes his way out of the cave and further into the gorge.
    8. Scarecrow Fields - Dan has three Lives, three Energy Bones and the Small Sword. He picks up the Serpent Potion which summons Kul Katura. He is attacked by a crow which makes him lose a Life. He opens a Chest and takes the Longbow contained within. Using the Longbow he destroys a Random Chest which contains the Big Sword. He loses another Energy Bone to a wicker man and then unleashes a Smart Bomb from a nearby Skull Chest which robs Dan of his last Bone. The level ends as he is about to be revived.
    9. The Ant Caves - Dan has three Lives and eight Energy Bones. He carries the Big Sword. He successfully dispatches an Ant and two Larvae with it for 500 points. Heading down a tunnel he manages to find an Energy Bone. After picking it up he is attacked by several Ants. He kills them, bringing his points up to 2000. However, he loses two Energy Bones.
    10. Pumpkin Gorge - With three Lives, three Energy Bones and the Longbow, Dan makes battle with some Pumpkin Plants. He kills two of them for 200 points, but loses an Energy Bone. Then he finds and picks up a Power-up Potion. Using the now powered-up Longbow, he kills two more Pumpkin Plants and a Pumpkin Bomb for a total of 500 points.
    11. The Ghost Ship - Dan has three Lives and three Energy Bones. He wields the Longbow. He makes his way past the barrels on the ship, but not without losing an Energy Bone. He kills a member of the Pirate Crew and a Pirate Officer for 300 points. He skilfully manoeuvres past the ship's cannons and picks up a Moon Rune.
    12. The Graveyard - Dan fights off some zombies with the Big Sword for 225 points. He picks up a Power-up Potion and goes to town on some Graveyard Wolves. He picks up the Star Rune at the top of a small hill. He makes his way back down where he kills some more Zombies and Wolves. Dan ends with a score of 975 points.
    13. The Asylum Grounds - Dan is at the chessboard near the entrance to the Asylum. He is using the Lightning to try and make the Chess Pieces fall into place. When he is finished, the middle of the chessboard reveals a passageway.
    14. The Haunted Ruins - Dan begins with three Lives and four Energy Bones. He uses the Magic Sword to dispatch a Shadow Demon for 300 points. He gets on the castle's battlements where he stands in front of a cannon which shoots him in the face, making him lose an Energy Bone. He then runs past the cannon and collects a Moon Rune.
    15. Pools of the Ancient Dead - Dan has three Lives and three Energy Bones. He wields a powered-up Spear. He uses it to kill some Armoured Knights and Undead Warriors for 1025 points. A rogue tentacle robs him of an Energy Bone.
    16. Pumpkin Gorge - Dan, who has three Lives and three Energy bones, throws the Dagger at a Pumpkin Plant, which he kills for 100 points. He runs away only to run into a group of Pumpkin Plants. They deprive him of two Energy Bones. Wisely, Dan runs away afterwards.
    17. The Sleeping Village - Wielding the Crossbow, Dan makes his way into the village. He uses the weapon successfully to kill Mr Mad. He enters a nearby house and kills Mrs Mad. He makes his way further in where another Mr Mad attacks him. Dan kills him, bringing his total score up to 525 points. He turns around to make his way back. The demo ends.

    After the final segment the player is sent back to the main menu of the demo disc.

    Differences from the retail version

    Being over a year older than the final game, the gameplay in the MediEvil Rolling Demo more closely resembles Ghosts 'n Goblins, which served as the primary inspiration for MediEvil at this stage of development.[citation needed] Elements like Chalices of Souls or Gargoyles do not exist yet.

    Controls

    The MediEvil Rolling Demo features a vastly different control scheme. Most notable are the tank controls when moving Dan around without the analog stick. Dan is also capable of sneaking and quickly turning around 180°, both moves that were removed before release.

    Digital

    Action Digital - 0 Digital - 1 Digital - 2
    Attack (hold for continuous attack) X button X button R1 button
    Jump (hold for higher jump) Square button Square button Up button
    Turn around Triangle button Triangle button L1 button
    Block Circle button Down button Down button
    Walk Up button R1 button Triangle button
    Walk backwards Down button L2 button X button
    Turn left Left button Left button Left button
    Turn right Right button Right button Right button
    Sneak Up button + L1 button L1 button Triangle button + L2 button
    Run Up button + R1 button/L3 R2 button/L3 Triangle button + R2 button/L3
    Jump left L2 button Circle button + Left button Square button
    Jump right R2 button Circle button + Right button Circle button
    Open scrollable text box R3 R3 R3
    Change camera mode SELECT SELECT SELECT
    Open pause menu START START START

    Analog - 0

    The general button layout will be identical to whichever digital mode was last active. With this setting, Dan does not turn around when the analog stick is moved in the opposite direction of where he is facing; he walks backwards instead. If the analog stick is tilted only slightly, Dan will sneak.

    Analog - 1

    The general button layout will be identical to whichever digital mode was last active. With this setting, Dan turns to face the direction of the analog stick and walks in that direction without exception. If the analog stick is tilted only slightly, Dan will sneak.

    Energy

    Dan's energy is represented by semi-transparent green bones known as Energy Bones. These were replaced by Energy Vials and Fountains of Rejuvenation in the final game, while the Energy Counter, which keeps track of the bones, was replaced by the Life Bar.

    At the beginning of the game, Dan will have three Energy Bones. More Energy Bones can be found in the environment or dropped by enemies, especially the final enemy in a wave of enemies.

    Losing all Energy Bones will cause Dan to lose a Life. A single Energy Bone is lost when Dan sustains damage from an enemy attack. If Dan suffers a fatal event, such as falling or drowning, then he will lose a Life and his bones will be reset to three.

    The Energy Counter will display the first three bones individually. After Dan collects a fourth bone, the bones are stacked and a number will show the current amount. Although Dan can carry a large number of Energy Bones, the Counter will not update beyond the first nine, much like the Life Counter.

    Full motion videos

    Although no FMVs are included with the demo, there are several references to them inside MEDIEVIL.EXE. Starting at offset 0x8F68C:

    10AV.STR
    INTROAV.STR
    TITLEAV.STR
    DUMMY.STR
    

    Further references occur at offset 0xAD300:

    11V.STR
    9AV.STR
    8AV.STR
    7AV.STR
    5AV.STR
    4AV.STR
    3AV.STR
    2AV.STR
    

    6AV, 12AV, 13AV and 14AV do not appear in the lists, meaning they were probably not finished or planned yet.

    Levels

    Starting at offset 0x8E00C in MEDIEVIL.EXE is a numbered list of levels. This list also appears in later versions, including the final game version.

    MediEvil Rolling Demo
    0x8E00C in MEDIEVIL.EXE
    MediEvil (SCUS-94227)
    0xA4C94 in MEDIEVIL.EXE
    *X.Programmers's Playground
    *30.Zarok's Lair
    *29.The Lake
    *28.The Time Device
    *27.The Great Machine
    *26.The Hub
    *25.The Halls Of Illusion
    *24.The Entrance Hall
    23.The Ghost Ship
    *22.The Silver Wood
    *21.Circle Of Shadows
    20.The Haunted Ruins
    *19.The Gallows Gauntlet
    *18.The Enchanted Earth
    *17.Inside The Asylum
    16.The Asylum Grounds
    *15.The Mud Slide
    *14.The Muddy Riverbank
    *13.The River
    12.Pools Of The Ancient Dead
    11.The Sleeping Village
    10.The Pumpkin Serpent
    9.Pumpkin Gorge
    8.The Crystal Caves
    7.The Ant Caves
    *6.The Fields Of Dust
    5.The Scarecrow Fields
    4.The Desecrated Church
    *3.Cemetery Hill
    *2.The Coffin Vaults
    1.The Graveyard
    *X.Title Level
    
    *Programmers's Playground
    Zarok's Lair
    The Lake
    The Time Device
    The Entrance Hall
    The Ghost Ship
    Hall of Heroes
    The Haunted Ruins
    The Gallows Gauntlet
    The Enchanted Earth
    Inside The Asylum
    The Asylum Grounds
    Pools Of The Ancient Dead
    The Sleeping Village
    The Pumpkin Serpent
    Pumpkin Gorge
    The Crystal Caves
    The Ant Caves
    Dan's Crypt
    Scarecrow Fields
    The Hilltop Mausoleum
    Cemetery Hill
    Return to the Graveyard
    The Graveyard
    *Title Level
    

    Levels in the list that are preceded by an asterisk are unavailable to play in the MediEvil Rolling Demo. However, despite not being marked with an asterisk, The Pumpkin Serpent and The Crystal Caves are also not playable.

    Notably, ten levels on the list did not make it into the final version of the game: The Coffin Vaults, The Fields Of Dust, The River, The Muddy Riverbank, The Mud Slide, Circle of Shadows, The Silver Wood, The Halls Of Illusion, The Hub and The Great Machine.

    The list also does not include Dan's Crypt, Return to the Graveyard or the Hall of Heroes, suggesting that these levels were conceptualised at a later date.

    Lives

    Dan's Lives are represented by his skull instead of Life Bottles, both in the HUD and within the game's levels themselves.

    Dan begins the game with three Lives. More Lives can usually be found in areas off the beaten path within levels. If Dan loses all of his energy he will lose a Life.

    Although Dan can carry a large number of Lives, the Life Counter will not update beyond the first nine.

    Pause Menu

    The pause menu featured in this demo is completely different from the retail one, both in terms of how it looks as well as its available options. Additional options can be unlocked using the DEBUG1 and DEBUG2 cheats.

    RESUME X to continue.
    RESTART** X to restart.
    EXIT X to exit.
    FX VOLUME: L/R to change.
    MUSIC VOLUME: L/R to change.
    CONTROL SETTINGS: X to continue.
    SPEED RELATIVE TURN:* On/Off X to toggle.
    ALLOW DEMO RECORD:** Not available X to toggle.
    DIFFICULTY LEVEL:* 0-3 L/R to change.
    LIVES:* 1-9 L/R to change.
    ENERGY:*
    1-99

    Invulnerable

    L/R to change.
    WEAPON:*
    None

    Small Sword
    Big Sword
    Magic Sword
    Dagger
    Axe
    Club
    Crossbow
    Chick Drumstick
    Own arm
    Lightning
    Longbow
    Spear
    Trident

    L/R to change.
    WEAPON POWER-UP:* On/Off X to toggle.
    SHIELD:*
    None

    Copper
    Silver
    Gold

    L/R to change.
    LIMITED RUN:* On/Off X to toggle.
    DAN MODE:* Not implemented L/R to change.
    RUNE KEYS:*
    Chaos - No/Yes

    Earth - No/Yes
    Moon - No/Yes
    Star - No/Yes
    Time - No/Yes

    X/L/R to change.
    FEET GRIP:* Not activated X to toggle. L/R to change.
    GROUND FRIC:* Not activated X to toggle. L/R to change.
    KINETIC FRIC:* Not activated X to toggle. L/R to change.
    JUST DAN:** On/Off X toggles (must restart).
    TESTCARD:** On/Off X to toggle.
    MATRICES:** Not available X to toggle.
    TERRAIN MODE:* Not available X to toggle.
    GATSO:** On/Off X to toggle.
    MAPVIEW DISPLAY:* Not available X to toggle.
    ACTIVE MAPVIEW* X to enter.
    CAMERA MODE:**
    Spline

    Spline Z (Abs)
    Spline Z (Rel)
    Spline Z (Lim)
    Overhead
    Chase
    Head-set
    Free
    Free (sus)
    Fixed

    L/R to change.
    SUPER CHEAT* X to set.
    SOUND TEST* X to enter.
    PLACE ENTITY:** Not available L/R, O + L/R, X to place.
    SHOW VRAM** X to enter.
    SHOW MEM STATUS** X to enter.
    GRAB SCREEN** X to enter.

    * Unlocked with DEBUG1 or DEBUG2 cheat.
    ** Unlocked with DEBUG2 cheat only.

    Points

    Points are awarded for picking up moneybags, which are worth 50 points, and dispatching enemies. The Score Counter in the top right corner of the screen keeps track of points. Points were eventually scrapped and replaced with the Chalice of Souls and Gold systems.

    Dan only earns points for enemies he kills directly, i.e. enemies who died by drowning or a Smart Bomb do not award any points. Each enemy type awards a different amount of points:

    Potions

    Potions are pick-ups found throughout the levels. They cause a variety of effects.

    Weapons

    Similarly to how it works in Ghosts 'n Goblins, Dan can only carry a single weapon at a time.

    Cheats

    Main article: Cheats in MediEvil

    The following cheats will only work after Dan has been made controllable.

    DEBUG1

    "LOST TROLL"
    While holding L2 button, press Left button, Circle button, Square button, Triangle button, Triangle button, Right button, Circle button, Left button, Left button. New options will then appear in the pause menu.[2]

    DEBUG2

    "STOUT LORD"
    While holding L2 button, press Square button, Triangle button, Circle button, Up button, Triangle button, Left button, Circle button, Right button, Down button. New options will then appear in the pause menu. This cheat unlocks all DEBUG1 options as well.[2]

    GameShark codes

    The following codes are compatible with both releases of the demo:

    Demo Mode
    Code Name Effect
    D0096864 800D
    300D4490 0000
    Player Controlled Lets the player control Dan.[3]
    Pause Menu
    Code Name Effect
    D0096864 800D
    300CFCEC 0000
    PAUSE Reverts to the default pause menu.[4]
    D0096864 800D
    300CFCEC 0001
    DEBUG1 Unlocks additional options in the pause menu.[3]
    D0096864 800D
    300CFCEC 0002
    DEBUG2 Unlocks additional options in the pause menu (including DEBUG1 options).[3]
    Control Settings
    Code Name Effect
    D0096864 800D
    800D0818 27F8
    300D4008 0000
    Digital - 0 Sets the current control scheme to Digital - 0.[4]
    D0096864 800D
    800D0818 281C
    300D4008 0001
    Digital - 1 Sets the current control scheme to Digital - 1.[4]
    D0096864 800D
    800D0818 2840
    300D4008 0002
    Digital - 2 Sets the current control scheme to Digital - 2.[4]
    D0096864 800D
    300D400C 0000
    Analog - 0 Sets the current control scheme to Analog - 0 (analog controller required).[4]
    D0096864 800D
    300D400C 0001
    Analog - 1 Sets the current control scheme to Analog - 1 (analog controller required).[4]
    Restart Level
    Code Name Effect
    D0096864 800D
    300D4024 0001
    The Graveyard When picking the restart level option in the pause menu, restarts to The Graveyard. DEBUG2 must be enabled.[4]
    D0096864 800D
    300D4024 0004
    The Desecrated Church When picking the restart level option in the pause menu, restarts to The Desecrated Church. DEBUG2 must be enabled.[4]
    D0096864 800D
    300D4024 0005
    Scarecrow Fields When picking the restart level option in the pause menu, restarts to the Scarecrow Fields. DEBUG2 must be enabled.[4]
    D0096864 800D
    300D4024 0007
    The Ant Caves When picking the restart level option in the pause menu, restarts to The Ant Caves. DEBUG2 must be enabled.[4]
    D0096864 800D
    300D4024 0009
    Pumpkin Gorge When picking the restart level option in the pause menu, restarts to Pumpkin Gorge. DEBUG2 must be enabled.[4]
    D0096864 800D
    300D4024 000B
    The Sleeping Village When picking the restart level option in the pause menu, restarts to The Sleeping Village. DEBUG2 must be enabled.[4]
    D0096864 800D
    300D4024 000C
    Pools of the Ancient Dead When picking the restart level option in the pause menu, restarts to Pools of the Ancient Dead. DEBUG2 must be enabled.[4]
    D0096864 800D
    300D4024 0010
    The Asylum Grounds When picking the restart level option in the pause menu, restarts to The Asylum Grounds. DEBUG2 must be enabled.[4]
    D0096864 800D
    300D4024 0014
    The Haunted Ruins When picking the restart level option in the pause menu, restarts to The Haunted Ruins. DEBUG2 must be enabled.[4]
    D0096864 800D
    300D4024 0017
    The Ghost Ship When picking the restart level option in the pause menu, restarts to The Ghost Ship. DEBUG2 must be enabled.[4]

    See also

    References

    1. Goring, Graham, ECTS - Lotta BBW's on uk.games.video.playstation. Published September 7, 1997. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
    2. 2.0 2.1 Original research by SolidSnake11.
    3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Codes by Hacc.
    4. 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 4.11 4.12 4.13 4.14 4.15 Codes by Lazlo52.

    External links

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