MediEvil (1998): Difference between revisions

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{{vgrelease|EU=October 9, 1998}}{{vgrelease|NA=October 21, 1998<sup><ref>{{Cite web|title=Challenge the Powers of Darkness in the Gothic World of MediEvil|newspaper=[https://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/ Business Wire]|published=October 21, 1998}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://web.archive.org/web/0/http://psx.ign.com/reviews/3950.html|title=MediEvil|site=IGN|published=October 22, 1998|author=Nelson, Randy & Perry, Douglass}}</ref></sup>}}
{{vgrelease|EU=October 9, 1998}}{{vgrelease|NA=October 21, 1998<sup><ref>{{Cite web|title=Challenge the Powers of Darkness in the Gothic World of MediEvil|newspaper=[https://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/ Business Wire]|published=October 21, 1998}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://web.archive.org/web/0/http://psx.ign.com/reviews/3950.html|title=MediEvil|site=IGN|published=October 22, 1998|author=Nelson, Randy & Perry, Douglass}}</ref></sup>}}
{{vgrelease|JP=June 17, 1999|EU=September 1999<ref name="aus">[https://archive.org/details/official-australian-playstation-magazine-26-september-1999/ Official Australian PlayStation Magazine No. 26], page 81. Published by ACP Publishing in September 1999.</ref> (Platinum)}}
{{vgrelease|JP=June 17, 1999|EU=September 1999<ref name="aus">[https://archive.org/details/official-australian-playstation-magazine-26-september-1999/ Official Australian PlayStation Magazine No. 26], page 81. Published by ACP Publishing in September 1999.</ref> (Platinum)}}
{{vgrelease|EU=May 9, 2003<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041208053545/http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00009ME9C|site=Amazon.co.uk (archived version)|title=PSone Twin Pack: C12/Medievil|retrieved=May 16, 2023}}</ref> (Twin Pack)}}
{{vgrelease|EU=May 9, 2003<ref name="twinpack2003">{{Cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041208053545/http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00009ME9C|site=Amazon.co.uk (archived version)|title=PSone Twin Pack: C12/Medievil|retrieved=May 16, 2023}}</ref> (Twin Pack)}}
'''PlayStation Network:''' <br/>
'''PlayStation Network:''' <br/>
{{vgrelease|NA=December 23, 2006<ref name="psn2006">{{Cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2006-12-23-even-more-stuff-to-download-from-the-ps-store.html|site=Engadget|title=Even more stuff to download from the PS-Store|author=Doerr, Nick|published=Deccember 23, 2006|retrieved=April 25, 2023}}</ref>}}
{{vgrelease|NA=December 23, 2006<ref name="psn2006">{{Cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2006-12-23-even-more-stuff-to-download-from-the-ps-store.html|site=Engadget|title=Even more stuff to download from the PS-Store|author=Doerr, Nick|published=Deccember 23, 2006|retrieved=April 25, 2023}}</ref>}}
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Development on ''MediEvil'' began in 1995 at Millennium Interactive in Great Shelford. Originally targetting Windows 95 and the Sega Saturn for release, Sony's interest in publishing the game led to it becoming a PlayStation exclusive. Over the course of development, the game evolved from a simple ''[[wikipedia:Ghosts 'n Goblins|Ghosts 'n Goblins]]''-style arcade experience into a Zeldaesque action role-playing game.
Development on ''MediEvil'' began in 1995 at Millennium Interactive in Great Shelford. Originally targetting Windows 95 and the Sega Saturn for release, Sony's interest in publishing the game led to it becoming a PlayStation exclusive. Over the course of development, the game evolved from a simple ''[[wikipedia:Ghosts 'n Goblins|Ghosts 'n Goblins]]''-style arcade experience into a Zeldaesque action role-playing game.


''MediEvil'' was released for the original [[wikipedia:PlayStation|PlayStation]] on October 9, 1998 in Europe, October 21, 1998 in North America, and on June 17, 1999 in Japan. The game received mostly positive praise from critics upon release, but was criticised for its controls and cumbersome camera. Due to its success in Europe, the game was re-released there in late 1999 as a Platinum range title as well as in a bundle with ''[[cambridge:C-12:C-12: Final Resistance|C-12: Final Resistance]]'' on May 9, 2003. A sequel, ''[[MediEvil 2]]'', was released in 2000 for the PlayStation, and ''[[MediEvil: Resurrection]]'', a reimagining, was released in 2005 for the PlayStation Portable (PSP). Finally, a [[MediEvil (2019)|remake of the game]] for the PlayStation 4 (PS4) was released in 2019.  
''MediEvil'' was released for the original [[wikipedia:PlayStation|PlayStation]] (PS1) on October 9, 1998 in Europe, October 21, 1998 in North America, and on June 17, 1999 in Japan. The game received mostly positive praise from critics upon release, but was criticised for its controls and cumbersome camera. Due to its success in Europe, the game was re-released there in late 1999 as a Platinum range title as well as in a bundle with ''[[cambridge:C-12:C-12: Final Resistance|C-12: Final Resistance]]'' on May 9, 2003. A sequel, ''[[MediEvil 2]]'', was released in 2000 for the PlayStation, and ''[[MediEvil: Resurrection]]'', a reimagining, was released in 2005 for the PlayStation Portable (PSP). Finally, a [[MediEvil (2019)|remake of the game]] for the PlayStation 4 (PS4) was released in 2019.  


The game was re-released several times over the years. It was first made available for download on the PlayStation Network (PSN) in 2006. In 2011, the game was re-released for PlayStation® Certified Android devices such as the Xperia Play. In 2024, the game saw a PS4 and PlayStation 5 (PS5) re-release via the PlayStation Plus Premium service.
The game was re-released several times over the years. It was first made available for download on the PlayStation Network (PSN) in 2006. In 2011, the game was re-released for PlayStation® Certified Android devices such as the Xperia Play. In 2024, the game saw a PS4 and PlayStation 5 (PS5) re-release via the PlayStation Plus Premium service.
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{{Empty section}}
{{Empty section}}
==Release==
==Release==
''MediEvil'' was initially released on October 9, 1998 in Europe and October 21, 1998 in North America. It retailed at £39.99 in the UK.<ref>{{Cite web|quote=I don't know if everyone is aware of this, but Medievil is out now in the UK - priced £39.99.|title=MediEvil Out Now - UK !!|site=uk.games.video.playstation|url=https://groups.google.com/g/uk.games.video.playstation/c/77K14Wp3lfE/m/1XOneTegUXkJ|published=October 8, 1998|retrieved=July 17, 2021}}</ref> The European version of the game is the first known PlayStation game to use LibCrypt protection.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://psxdatacenter.com/sbifiles.html|site=The PlayStation Datacenter|title=SBI FILES}}</ref>
''MediEvil'' was initially released on October 9, 1998 in Europe and October 21, 1998 in North America. It retailed at £39.99 in the UK.<ref>{{Cite web|quote=I don't know if everyone is aware of this, but Medievil is out now in the UK - priced £39.99.|title=MediEvil Out Now - UK !!|site=uk.games.video.playstation|url=https://groups.google.com/g/uk.games.video.playstation/c/77K14Wp3lfE/m/1XOneTegUXkJ|published=October 8, 1998|retrieved=July 17, 2021}}</ref> The European version of the game is the first known instance of a PlayStation game using LibCrypt protection.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://psxdatacenter.com/sbifiles.html|site=The PlayStation Datacenter|title=SBI FILES}}</ref> The game was dedicated to the memory of [[Mr. Apple]].{{Gameref|MED}}{{Gameref|MED-CREDITS}}
===Reception===
===Reception===
{{Video game reviews
{{Video game reviews
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According to [https://ukiepedia.ukie.org.uk/ Ukiepedia], the Platinum edition of ''MediEvil'' was the 96th best-selling game release of the year 1999 in the UK.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ukiepedia.ukie.org.uk/index.php/UK_Top_Selling_Games_1999|site=Ukiepedia|title=UK Top Selling Games 1999|retrieved=May 16, 2021}}</ref>
According to [https://ukiepedia.ukie.org.uk/ Ukiepedia], the Platinum edition of ''MediEvil'' was the 96th best-selling game release of the year 1999 in the UK.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ukiepedia.ukie.org.uk/index.php/UK_Top_Selling_Games_1999|site=Ukiepedia|title=UK Top Selling Games 1999|retrieved=May 16, 2021}}</ref>
====Twin Pack====
====Twin Pack====
{{Empty section}}
''MediEvil'' was re-released in a twin pack with Cambridge Studio's final PS1 game ''C-12: Final Resistance'' on May 9, 2003.<ref name="twinpack2003"/>
====PlayStation Network====
====PlayStation Network====
''MediEvil'' was first re-released on the PSN around December 23, 2006 in North America.<ref name="psn2006"/> Initially it could only be played on a PSP, but had to be downloaded using a PlayStation 3 (PS3). The PS3 received firmware update 1.7 on April 19, 2007, which promised to make PS1 games downloaded through the PSN playable on the console. However, the titles themselves were not updated to work on PS3 yet.<ref>{{Cite web|site=IGN|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/04/19/ps1-downloads-on-ps3-explained|title=PS1 Downloads on PS3 Explained|author=Dunham, Jeremy|published=April 19, 2007|quote=As some PlayStation 3 owners have already discovered, however, the existing PS One software currently available for download doesn't work. Popular speculation as to why this is points to the need to remove the certification key required to play games on Sony's portable platform.|retrieved=December 20, 2024}}</ref> This update came a few weeks later on May 9, 2007.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2007-05-03-psone-titles-now-working-on-playstation-3-and-psp.html|site=Engadget|title=PSone titles now working on PlayStation 3 and PSP|author=Grant, Christopher|quote=Well, it's May and Sony has announced that the PSone format software available from the PlayStation Store will now be operable on both the PS3 and PSP systems. If you've already purchased any titles, you'll be able to re-download them to your PS3 at no additional charge.|published=May 3, 2007|retrieved=December 20, 2024}}</ref>
''MediEvil'' was first re-released on the PSN around December 23, 2006 in North America.<ref name="psn2006"/> Initially it could only be played on a PSP, but had to be downloaded using a PlayStation 3 (PS3). The PS3 received firmware update 1.7 on April 19, 2007, which promised to make PS1 games downloaded through the PSN playable on the console. However, the titles themselves were not updated to work on PS3 yet.<ref>{{Cite web|site=IGN|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/04/19/ps1-downloads-on-ps3-explained|title=PS1 Downloads on PS3 Explained|author=Dunham, Jeremy|published=April 19, 2007|quote=As some PlayStation 3 owners have already discovered, however, the existing PS One software currently available for download doesn't work. Popular speculation as to why this is points to the need to remove the certification key required to play games on Sony's portable platform.|retrieved=December 20, 2024}}</ref> This update came a few weeks later on May 9, 2007.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2007-05-03-psone-titles-now-working-on-playstation-3-and-psp.html|site=Engadget|title=PSone titles now working on PlayStation 3 and PSP|author=Grant, Christopher|quote=Well, it's May and Sony has announced that the PSone format software available from the PlayStation Store will now be operable on both the PS3 and PSP systems. If you've already purchased any titles, you'll be able to re-download them to your PS3 at no additional charge.|published=May 3, 2007|retrieved=December 20, 2024}}</ref>
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The Japanese version of the game was released on the Japanese PSN on November 28, 2007.<ref name="psjp2007"/>
The Japanese version of the game was released on the Japanese PSN on November 28, 2007.<ref name="psjp2007"/>


Years later, in 2024, the game saw another PSN re-release made specifically for the PS4 and PS5 consoles prepared by the company [[Implicit Conversions]]. This version of the game was enhanced with up-rendering, rewind, quick save, custom video filters and [[List of trophies in MediEvil (1998)|trophy support]].<ref name="medievilpsplus"/>
Years later, on April 16, 2024, the game saw another PSN re-release made specifically for the PS4 and PS5 consoles. This version was prepared by the company [[Implicit Conversions]], and was enhanced with up-rendering, rewind, quick save, custom video filters and [[List of trophies in MediEvil (1998)|trophy support]].<ref name="medievilpsplus"/>
====Android====
====Android====
The Android re-release of the game, available exclusively on Xperia Play phones, saw very low sales numbers in its first month, selling between 100 to 500 units in total.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2011-05-12-psone-sales-on-xperia-play-below-1-000|title=PSone game sales on Xperia Play below 1,000 downloads|published=May 12, 2011|author=Jenkins, David|site=GamesIndustry.biz}}</ref>
The Android re-release of the game, available exclusively on Xperia Play phones, saw very low sales numbers in its first month, selling between 100 to 500 units in total.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2011-05-12-psone-sales-on-xperia-play-below-1-000|title=PSone game sales on Xperia Play below 1,000 downloads|published=May 12, 2011|author=Jenkins, David|site=GamesIndustry.biz}}</ref>
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*Some promotional posters for the game feature a different cover art design.
*Some promotional posters for the game feature a different cover art design.
*On the game's official US website and on promotional game material, it is said that the game takes place in 847, but this is retconned in the game's sequel, where the year 1386 is revealed to be the true year of the game's events.
*On the game's official US website and on promotional game material, it is said that the game takes place in 847, but this is retconned in the game's sequel, where the year 1386 is revealed to be the true year of the game's events.
*''MediEvil'' is dedicated to the memory of [[Mr. Apple]].{{Gameref|MED}}{{Gameref|MED-CREDITS}}
* Within the game's memory, the following message can be found: "Buzby sucks eggs, and Eastwood smells!"{{Siteref|MediEvil-Boards|7025|Hidden Programmer Message|January 28, 2012}} This refers to [[James Busby]], the game's lead programmer, who left the project about two months prior to its release as a result of creative differences.{{Siteref|MediEvil-Boards|11632|MediEvil developers - Q&A;|February 10, 2012}}<ref>RETRO Volume 8, page 130. Published in 2015 by Imagine Publishing Ltd.</ref>
* Within the game's memory, the following message can be found: "Buzby sucks eggs, and Eastwood smells!"{{Siteref|MediEvil-Boards|7025|Hidden Programmer Message|January 28, 2012}} This refers to [[James Busby]], the game's lead programmer, who left the project about two months prior to its release as a result of creative differences.{{Siteref|MediEvil-Boards|11632|MediEvil developers - Q&A;|February 10, 2012}}<ref>RETRO Volume 8, page 130. Published in 2015 by Imagine Publishing Ltd.</ref>
*The game's logo is made using the Ticonderoga font created by Brendel Informatik Cologne in Altsys Fontographer 3.5. The Japanese version uses a modified iteration of the Harrington font by Sam Wang instead.
*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 Japanese version of the game contains numerous differences, such as Daniel wearing a [[helmet]].
*The Japanese version of the game contains numerous differences, such as Daniel wearing a [[helmet]].
==In other languages==
==In other languages==