MediEvil (1998): Difference between revisions

Cleanup.
m (375 revisions imported)
(Cleanup.)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{FA}}{{for|the first ''MediEvil'' game|the series and the remake|MediEvil (series)|MediEvil (PS4)|respectively}}{{Infobox video game
{{about|the first ''MediEvil'' game|the series|MediEvil (series)|the remake|MediEvil (2019)}}{{Infobox video game
|name = MediEvil
|name = MediEvil
|icon = [[File:Memory Card.png|link=|alt=]]
|image =  
|image =  
<tabber>
PAL=
[[File: Medievil-front.jpg|230px|center]]
|-|
NTSC=
[[File:MediEvil_-_Front_Cover_NTSC.jpg|230px|center]]
|-|
NTSC-J=
[[File:Japanese_cover.png|230px|center]]
</tabber>
|aka = Dead Man Dan
|aka = Dead Man Dan
|tagline = You'll be dying to play! <br> A Gothic Tale Straight from the Grave.
|tagline = You'll be dying to play! <br> A Gothic Tale Straight from the Grave.
|developer = [[SCE Cambridge Studio]]
|developer = [[SCE Cambridge Studio]]
|publisher = Sony Computer Entertainment
|publisher = Sony Computer Entertainment
|platforms = {{w|PlayStation (console)|PlayStation}}, {{w|PSN}}, {{w|Android (operating system)|Android}} ({{w|Xperia Play}})
|platforms = [[wikipedia:PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]], [[wikipedia:PSN]], [[wikipedia:Android (operating system)|Android]] [[wikipedia:Xperia Play]])
|release = {{Release date|October 9, 1998{{Siteref|MED-EU-Site|german/content.html|Welcome}}|'''PlayStation:''' <br/>
|release = {{Release date|October 9, 1998{{Siteref|MED-EU-Site|german/content.html|Welcome}}|'''PlayStation:''' <br/>
{{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>[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> ([http://gallowmere.wikia.com/wiki/File:1332136-medievilplat_eu_ps_front_super.jpg Platinum])}}
{{vgrelease|JP=June 17, 1999|EU=September 1999<ref>[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{{Citation needed}} ([http://gallowmere.wikia.com/wiki/File:Twin_pack.jpg Twin Pack])}}
{{vgrelease|EU=May 9, 2003{{Citation needed}} (Twin Pack)}}
'''PlayStation Network:''' <br/>
'''PlayStation Network:''' <br/>
{{vgrelease|NA=December 4, 2006<ref>{{Icon|Store}} {{cite web|site=US PlayStation Store|title=''MediEvil''® (PS3™/PSP®/PS Vita)|url=https://store.sonyentertainmentnetwork.com/#!/en-us/games/medievil-(ps3-psp-ps-vita)/cid=UP9000-NPUI94227_00-COMBINED00000001}}</ref>}}
{{vgrelease|NA=December 4, 2006<ref>{{Icon|Store}} {{cite web|site=US PlayStation Store|title=''MediEvil''® (PS3™/PSP®/PS Vita)|url=https://store.sonyentertainmentnetwork.com/#!/en-us/games/medievil-(ps3-psp-ps-vita)/cid=UP9000-NPUI94227_00-COMBINED00000001}}</ref>}}
Line 35: Line 24:
'''''MediEvil''''' is an action-adventure video game and the first installment in the ''MediEvil'' series. It was developed by SCE Studio Cambridge and published by Sony. It was released on October 9, 1998 in Europe, October 21, 1998 in North America and on June 17, 1999 in Japan for the PlayStation. Due to its success, the game was released in October 1999 as a platinum title in Europe. It was also released in a bundle with ''C-12: Final Resistance'' on May 9, 2003.
'''''MediEvil''''' is an action-adventure video game and the first installment in the ''MediEvil'' series. It was developed by SCE Studio Cambridge and published by Sony. It was released on October 9, 1998 in Europe, October 21, 1998 in North America and on June 17, 1999 in Japan for the PlayStation. Due to its success, the game was released in October 1999 as a platinum title in Europe. It was also released in a bundle with ''C-12: Final Resistance'' on May 9, 2003.


The game was followed by ''[[MediEvil 2]]'', released in 2000, and ''[[MediEvil: Resurrection]]'', a reimagining released in 2005 for the PSP. The game was made available for download for the PSP, PlayStation 3 and the PS Vita via the PlayStation Store in 2007. In 2011, the game was released for PlayStation® Certified Android devices such as the Xperia Play. A [[MediEvil (PS4)|remake of the game]] for the PS4 was released in 2019. There have been no official news regarding the series since then.
The game was followed by ''[[MediEvil 2]]'', released in 2000, and ''[[MediEvil: Resurrection]]'', a reimagining released in 2005 for the PSP. The game was made available for download for the PSP, PlayStation 3 and the PS Vita via the PlayStation Store in 2007. In 2011, the game was released for PlayStation® Certified Android devices such as the Xperia Play. A [[MediEvil (2019)|remake of the game]] for the PS4 was released in 2019. There have been no official news regarding the series since then.


==Gameplay==
==Gameplay==
During the game, the player must go through several places, from a [[The Graveyard (MediEvil)|graveyard]] full of zombies, to a [[The Ghost Ship|flying ghost ship]] full of undead pirates, to a levitating board in an [[The Enchanted Earth|enchanted forest]] surrounded by flying demonettes. There are also several collectible items found in the levels which have to be collected in order to proceed to further areas or levels. There are several [[books]] placed upon stands all over areas in the game which may offer advice to Sir Dan, while some others contain humorous jokes or generally the history of the area. Some of them are placed in hidden places, but they are mostly found along the path that Sir Dan takes. They can be read if struck with a close-range weapon.
During the game, the player must go through several places, from a [[The Graveyard|graveyard]] full of zombies, to a [[The Ghost Ship|flying ghost ship]] full of undead pirates, to a levitating board in an [[The Enchanted Earth|enchanted forest]] surrounded by flying demonettes. There are also several collectible items found in the levels which have to be collected in order to proceed to further areas or levels. There are several [[books]] placed upon stands all over areas in the game which may offer advice to Sir Dan, while some others contain humorous jokes or generally the history of the area. Some of them are placed in hidden places, but they are mostly found along the path that Sir Dan takes. They can be read if struck with a close-range weapon.


===[[:Category:Weapons and shields (MediEvil)|Weapons]]===
===[[:Category:Weapons in MediEvil|Weapons]]===
Dan starts the game with just his [[Arm|detachable arm]], which can be used as both a melee weapon and a projectile, but is incredibly weak. Soon, however he obtains a [[Small Sword|small sword]]. The majority of weapons Dan encounters are received from the [[Hall of Heroes]] by collecting [[Chalices]] in each level, and range from swords, [[axe]]s and [[hammer]]s to projectile weapons such as [[crossbow]]s and [[spear]]s. There are other weapons that Dan encounters through the course of the game, such as a [[club]] that can be used as a [[torch]], but breaks after too much use; a [[Dragon Armour]] that lets Dan breathe fire and protects him from flame attacks; and [[Chicken Drumstick]]s that can turn enemies into [[Roast Chicken]] for health recovery. Dan is also able to find a variety of shields to protect himself, ranging from [[Copper Shield|copper]] to [[Gold Shield|gold]] in strength.
Dan starts the game with just his [[Arm|detachable arm]], which can be used as both a melee weapon and a projectile, but is incredibly weak. Soon, however he obtains a [[Small Sword|small sword]]. The majority of weapons Dan encounters are received from the [[Hall of Heroes]] by collecting [[Chalices]] in each level, and range from swords, [[axe]]s and [[hammer]]s to projectile weapons such as [[crossbow]]s and [[spear]]s. There are other weapons that Dan encounters through the course of the game, such as a [[club]] that can be used as a [[torch]], but breaks after too much use; a [[Dragon Armour]] that lets Dan breathe fire and protects him from flame attacks; and [[Chicken Drumstick]]s that can turn enemies into [[Roast Chicken]] for health recovery. Dan is also able to find a variety of shields to protect himself, ranging from [[Copper Shield|copper]] to [[Gold Shield|gold]] in strength.


Line 46: Line 35:
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 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 "Hall of Heroes," he can converse with past heroes, "await spiritual guidance" and receive useful items or weapons to help him in his quest. Collecting all the chalices allows the player to see the true ending.
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 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 "Hall of Heroes," he can converse with past heroes, "await spiritual guidance" and receive useful items or weapons to help him in his quest. Collecting all the chalices allows the player to see the true ending.


===[[:Category:Enemies|Enemies]]===
===[[:Category:Enemies in MediEvil|Enemies]]===
Alongside certain weapons, there are also many colourful and varying enemies, though particularly [[zombies]] in the opening levels, which Dan must defeat. Later on through the epic journey through Gallowmere, Dan will encounter a number of other monsters and creatures, most of which are modelled after gothic demons associated with the time period. [[Imps|Sticky-fingered Imps]], [[Scarecrows|demonic Scarecrows]], and Zarok's boiler guards are but a few of the ghastly and varied monstrosities that inhabit the levels. 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, such as the Scarecrows. Many weapons, such as swords and [[Throwing Daggers|throwing daggers]], can be charged up to produce a more powerful attack to finish beasts off more quickly.
Alongside certain weapons, there are also many colourful and varying enemies, though particularly [[zombies]] in the opening levels, which Dan must defeat. Later on through the epic journey through Gallowmere, Dan will encounter a number of other monsters and creatures, most of which are modelled after gothic demons associated with the time period. [[Imps|Sticky-fingered Imps]], [[Scarecrows|demonic Scarecrows]], and Zarok's boiler guards are but a few of the ghastly and varied monstrosities that inhabit the levels. 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, such as the Scarecrows. Many weapons, such as swords and [[Throwing Daggers|throwing daggers]], can be charged up to produce a more powerful attack to finish beasts off more quickly.


==Characters==
==Characters==
[[File:Livelli 1.jpg|thumb|right|Zarok and Sir Dan, the game’s central characters.]]
*[[Sir Daniel Fortesque]] - The game's protagonist and playable character. He was King Peregrin's champion when he was alive. He was also one of the first men to die in the battle against Zarok and his Shadow Demons and was proclaimed Hero of Gallowmere by the king so that the people of the land would feel safe. When Zarok returns to raise an army of the dead, he also raises Sir Dan by mistake. Being given a second chance, Dan can finally prove himself a hero that he wasn't in his life by defeating Zarok.
*[[Sir Daniel Fortesque]] - The game's protagonist and playable character. He was King Peregrin's champion when he was alive. He was also one of the first men to die in the battle against Zarok and his Shadow Demons and was proclaimed Hero of Gallowmere by the king so that the people of the land would feel safe. When Zarok returns to raise an army of the dead, he also raises Sir Dan by mistake. Being given a second chance, Dan can finally prove himself a hero that he wasn't in his life by defeating Zarok.
*[[Zarok|Zarok the Sorcerer]] - The game's antagonist. He was King Peregrin's advisor and mage until he began dabbling in Necromancy, which led the King to exile him from the land. Embittered and filled with wrath, he led an army of Shadowy demons into battle against the King. His army was defeated, however, by the King's militia and soon he was proclaimed killed by Sir Dan. In truth, Zarok went into hiding, only to return 100 years later to try and take over the land once again.
*[[Zarok|Zarok the Sorcerer]] - The game's antagonist. He was King Peregrin's advisor and mage until he began dabbling in Necromancy, which led the King to exile him from the land. Embittered and filled with wrath, he led an army of Shadowy demons into battle against the King. His army was defeated, however, by the King's militia and soon he was proclaimed killed by Sir Dan. In truth, Zarok went into hiding, only to return 100 years later to try and take over the land once again.
Line 57: Line 45:


==Plot==
==Plot==
{{Spoilers}}The game starts with a flashback in the 13th century in the fictional Kingdom of Gallowmere. It puts the player in control of Sir Daniel Fortesque: the reanimated skeleton of a deceased champion knight whom history holds in high esteem, due to his supposed heroics in battle against the evil sorcerer Zarok who, in 1286, had raised an army of demons and set out to take over the kingdom. The legend has it that Fortesque lead the King's army into battle against Zarok's demonic hordes and that Sir Daniel himself killed the sorcerer during the battle - despite having been mortally wounded at the outset - cementing his posthumous status as the "Hero of Gallowmere."
The game starts with a flashback in the 13th century in the fictional Kingdom of Gallowmere. It puts the player in control of Sir Daniel Fortesque: the reanimated skeleton of a deceased champion knight whom history holds in high esteem, due to his supposed heroics in battle against the evil sorcerer Zarok who, in 1286, had raised an army of demons and set out to take over the kingdom. The legend has it that Fortesque lead the King's army into battle against Zarok's demonic hordes and that Sir Daniel himself killed the sorcerer during the battle - despite having been mortally wounded at the outset - cementing his posthumous status as the "Hero of Gallowmere."


This official version of events is later revealed as being vastly exaggerated and that Sir Dan's entire reputation is based on a lie. It turns out that Fortesque was not a hero at all and was in fact the first to die during the Battle of Gallowmere as he was hit in the eye by an arrow while leading the first charge against Zarok's undead armies. Although Sir Dan's troops still managed to go on and win the battle without him, Zarok was able to escape and went into hiding, leading everyone to assume that he was dead. The "fog of war and the shrouds of time" ultimately conspired to portray Fortesque as being the great hero of the battle.
This official version of events is later revealed as being vastly exaggerated and that Sir Dan's entire reputation is based on a lie. It turns out that Fortesque was not a hero at all and was in fact the first to die during the Battle of Gallowmere as he was hit in the eye by an arrow while leading the first charge against Zarok's undead armies. Although Sir Dan's troops still managed to go on and win the battle without him, Zarok was able to escape and went into hiding, leading everyone to assume that he was dead. The "fog of war and the shrouds of time" ultimately conspired to portray Fortesque as being the great hero of the battle.
Line 72: Line 60:
The ending is determined by whether or not the player collected all the Chalices of Souls:
The ending is determined by whether or not the player collected all the Chalices of Souls:


*'''''[[13AV|Not all chalices collected]]''': "After Dan returns to his eternal rest, the camera will zoom into the eye socket where Dan was not shot till the screen is completely black. The player is awarded a simple "The End" message. Then the [[Credits (MediEvil)|credits]] roll.''
*'''''[[13AV|Not all chalices collected]]''''': After Dan returns to his eternal rest, the camera will zoom into the eye socket where Dan was not shot till the screen is completely black. The player is awarded a simple "The End" message. Then the [[Credits|credits]] roll.''


*'''''[[14AV|All chalices collected]]''''': The same thing happens, only this time Dan ends up going to the Hall of Heroes. When he arrives, the rest of the heroes have come to life (to the point where they're not even statues anymore) and are celebrating. They then notice that Dan has arrived and grown quiet, whispering about his accomplishment. Dan then does a few acrobatics on the table and lands into the central chair, where he catches a cup that he flipped into the air with his foot. One of the heroes fills it up with wine and Dan unsuccessfully drinks it (he is still in his skeletal form, therefore he has no throat). The other heroes then applaud Dan for finally having the courage to defeat Zarok once and for all. The camera then zooms out of the Hall and into the sky, where it shows a constellation of Dan in his heroic stance. "The End" message pops up and the credits roll.
*'''''[[14AV|All chalices collected]]''''': The same thing happens, only this time Dan ends up going to the Hall of Heroes. When he arrives, the rest of the heroes have come to life (to the point where they're not even statues anymore) and are celebrating. They then notice that Dan has arrived and grown quiet, whispering about his accomplishment. Dan then does a few acrobatics on the table and lands into the central chair, where he catches a cup that he flipped into the air with his foot. One of the heroes fills it up with wine and Dan unsuccessfully drinks it (he is still in his skeletal form, therefore he has no throat). The other heroes then applaud Dan for finally having the courage to defeat Zarok once and for all. The camera then zooms out of the Hall and into the sky, where it shows a constellation of Dan in his heroic stance. "The End" message pops up and the credits roll.
{{SpoilerEnd}}
==Development==
==Development==
{{See also|List of all MediEvil builds}}
{{See also|List of all MediEvil releases}}
[[File:TheTeam.jpg|thumb|right|The ''MediEvil'' development team.]]
Development of ''MediEvil'' started in 1995 at independent developer [[Millennium Interactive]]. Chris Sorrell, previously known for the ''[[wikipedia:James Pond|James Pond]]'' series, created the original concept for ''MediEvil'' and served as the game's creative director. Prior to the development of ''MediEvil'', Sorrell had endured a rather torrid time working on some edutainment products that Millennium Interactive had signed up to create. "Once these products were finally complete, I think management took pity on me and rewarded me with the chance of making my dream game" he recalls. According to Sorrell, the first design proposal for the game had the working title ‘''Dead Man Dan''’ and described a game that was a fusion of [[wikipedia:Capcom|Capcom]]'s ''[[wikipedia:Ghosts 'n Goblins|Ghosts 'n Goblins]]'' with the art style of [[wikipedia:Tim Burton|Tim Burton]] – especially the look and feel of ''[[wikipedia:The Nightmare Before Christmas|The Nightmare Before Christmas]]'', both of which were things that he was a huge fan of back in the mid-'90s. Lead artist and designer Jason Wilson shared his interest in dark, Gothic influenced artwork and they worked together to define the look and feel of the game. Wilson was particularly inspired by [[wikipedia:German Expressionism|German Expressionism]] from the 1920s and credits films such as ''[[wikipedia:The Golem (1915 film)|Der Golem]]'', ''[[wikipedia:The Cabinet of Dr Caligari|The Cabinet of Dr Caligari]]'', ''[[wikipedia:Nosferatu|Nosferatu]]'', ''[[wikipedia:Metropolis (1927 film)|Metropolis]]'' and ''[[wikipedia:Sunrise (1926 film)|Sunrise]]'' as his main sources of inspiration.<ref>{{Icon|Facebook}} {{cite web|author=Jason Wilson|published=November 3, 2014|title=Reference and inspiration for the game ''MediEvil''|site=Facebook|url=https://www.facebook.com/JayGunnArts/posts/587295241397225}}</ref> As development progressed, Wilson pushed the game into more of a ''Zelda''-like direction as opposed to the original arcade-style concept. Sorrell approved of the new direction and said that he would liked to have expanded more on it.
[[File:The Making of MediEvil|thumb|The Making of MediEvil]]
[[File:MediEvil's Minds|thumb|MediEvil's Minds]]
[[File:MediEvil's Design History|thumb|MediEvil's Design History]] Development of ''MediEvil'' started in 1995 at independent developer {{w|Millennium Interactive}}. Chris Sorrell, previously known for the ''{{w|James Pond}}'' series, created the original concept for ''MediEvil'' and served as the game's creative director. Prior to the development of ''MediEvil'', Sorrell had endured a rather torrid time working on some edutainment products that Millennium Interactive had signed up to create. "Once these products were finally complete, I think management took pity on me and rewarded me with the chance of making my dream game" he recalls. According to Sorrell, the first design proposal for the game had the working title ‘''Dead Man Dan''’ and described a game that was a fusion of {{w|Capcom| Capcom's}} ''{{w|Ghosts 'n Goblins}}'' with the art style of {{w|Tim Burton}} – especially the look and feel of ''{{w|The Nightmare Before Christmas}}'', both of which were things that he was a huge fan of back in the mid-'90s. Lead artist and designer Jason Wilson shared his interest in dark, Gothic influenced artwork and they worked together to define the look and feel of the game. Wilson was particularly inspired by [[wikipedia:German Expressionism|German Expressionism]] from the 1920s and credits films such as ''[[wikipedia:The Golem (1915 film)|Der Golem]]'', ''[[wikipedia:The Cabinet of Dr Caligari|The Cabinet of Dr Caligari]]'', ''[[wikipedia:Nosferatu|Nosferatu]]'', ''[[wikipedia:Metropolis (1927 film)|Metropolis]]'' and ''[[wikipedia:Sunrise (1926 film)|Sunrise]]'' as his main sources of inspiration.<ref>{{Icon|Facebook}} {{cite web|author=Jason Wilson|published=November 3, 2014|title=Reference and inspiration for the game ''MediEvil''|site=Facebook|url=https://www.facebook.com/JayGunnArts/posts/587295241397225}}</ref> As development progressed, Wilson pushed the game into more of a ''Zelda''-like direction as opposed to the original arcade-style concept. Sorrell approved of the new direction and said that he would liked to have expanded more on it.


From the outset, Sorrell wanted his game to possess a unique lead character. They worked with a script doctor named Martin Pond when looking for more of a backstory for the lead protagonist, Sir Daniel Fortesque. Pond came up with the idea that Sir Daniel could have been a pompous failure in life whose reincarnation was his one shot at redemption.
From the outset, Sorrell wanted his game to possess a unique lead character. They worked with a script doctor named Martin Pond when looking for more of a backstory for the lead protagonist, Sir Daniel Fortesque. Pond came up with the idea that Sir Daniel could have been a pompous failure in life whose reincarnation was his one shot at redemption.


In addition to bringing together a brand new team – none of whom had really made a 3D game of this scale before – they were in 'sell' mode almost from day one, with the future of the studio riding on their ability to attract a major publishing deal as quickly as possible. They were initially working on multiple platforms including {{w|Windows}} and {{w|Sega Saturn}} as well as PlayStation before finally having the chance to pitch an early demo to Sony, who were so impressed with their work that they bought the whole studio and became Sony's second United Kingdom development studio. Late in the game's development, Sony requested that ''MediEvil'' should support the (then) new PlayStation analogue controller, which Sorrell described as a "particularly fortuitous event" as it allowed them to capture much more fluidity and intuitiveness within the game.
In addition to bringing together a brand new team – none of whom had really made a 3D game of this scale before – they were in 'sell' mode almost from day one, with the future of the studio riding on their ability to attract a major publishing deal as quickly as possible. They were initially working on multiple platforms including [[wikipedia:Windows|Windows]] and [[wikipedia:Sega Saturn|Sega Saturn]] as well as PlayStation before finally having the chance to pitch an early demo to Sony, who were so impressed with their work that they bought the whole studio and became Sony's second United Kingdom development studio. Late in the game's development, Sony requested that ''MediEvil'' should support the (then) new PlayStation analogue controller, which Sorrell described as a "particularly fortuitous event" as it allowed them to capture much more fluidity and intuitiveness within the game.


Sorrell said that ''MediEvil'' presented a mountain of challenges due to the fact that, like many other developers at the time, they were still very new to 3D gaming. Things like camera and character control presented many interesting new challenges and required the team to try out a number of approaches before settling on solutions that seemed to work. He said that they spent many long nights without sleeping, trying to finish the game. There were also many levels and ideas from the original concept that they were forced to remove because of time and budget constraints. In most cases, the best of what they had already created for those levels ended up being spliced into the levels that they shipped with. There was also intended to be a platform-oriented section of the game where the player would control the worm that lived in Daniel's skull. Concept art and a level ost was created for this section, but it never materialized into the game. Even so, Sorrell said that the game still came very close to the original concept and he was most proud of how the team pulled together to finish the game without compromising on the quirky attention to detail or scope of the game.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.us.playstation.com/2012/09/07/behind-the-classics-medievil/|site=PlayStation.Blog|title=Behind the Classics: MediEvil|author=Fred Dutton|published=September 7, 2012}}</ref>
Sorrell said that ''MediEvil'' presented a mountain of challenges due to the fact that, like many other developers at the time, they were still very new to 3D gaming. Things like camera and character control presented many interesting new challenges and required the team to try out a number of approaches before settling on solutions that seemed to work. He said that they spent many long nights without sleeping, trying to finish the game. There were also many levels and ideas from the original concept that they were forced to remove because of time and budget constraints. In most cases, the best of what they had already created for those levels ended up being spliced into the levels that they shipped with. There was also intended to be a platform-oriented section of the game where the player would control the worm that lived in Daniel's skull. Concept art and a level ost was created for this section, but it never materialized into the game. Even so, Sorrell said that the game still came very close to the original concept and he was most proud of how the team pulled together to finish the game without compromising on the quirky attention to detail or scope of the game.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.us.playstation.com/2012/09/07/behind-the-classics-medievil/|site=PlayStation.Blog|title=Behind the Classics: MediEvil|author=Fred Dutton|published=September 7, 2012}}</ref>
Line 111: Line 93:


==Cover art and CDs==
==Cover art and CDs==
<tabber>
{{Empty section}}
PAL (European)=
<gallery orientation="square" hideaddbutton="true" columns="3" spacing="small" position="center" captionalign="left">
SCES-00311-F-ALL.jpg|Front Cover
1332136-medievilplat_eu_ps_front_super.jpg|Platinum Front Cover
CD.png|CD
MediEvil - Back Cover PAL.JPG|Back Cover
File:197892_93994_back.jpg|Platinum Back Cover
SCES-00311-B-ALL.jpg|Alternate Back Cover
</gallery>
|-|
NTSC (American)=
<gallery position="center" hideaddbutton=true spacing="small" orientation="square" captionalign="left">
MediEvil - Front Cover NTSC.jpg|Front cover.
MediEvil - Back Cover NTSC.jpg|Back cover
NTSC CD.png|CD
</gallery>
|-|
NTSC-J (Japanese)=
<gallery position="center" hideaddbutton=true spacing="small" orientation="square" captionalign="left">
medievil_jp_0001.jpg|Front cover
SCPS-10081-B-ALL.jpg|Back cover
medievil_jp_0000.jpg|CD
</gallery>
</tabber>


==Additional content==
==Additional content==
Line 149: Line 107:


===Tracklist===
===Tracklist===
{|class="article-table" border="1" style="width:99%; margin-right:-1em;"
{|class="wikitable" border="1" style="width:99%; margin-right:-1em;"
|-
|-
! style="width:5%" | #
! style="width:5%" | #
Line 206: Line 164:
| PSXE      = 6.9/10<ref>{{cite web|published=July 7, 1999|title=''Medievil'' Review|site=PSX Extreme|url=http://www.psxextreme.com/ps1-reviews/29.html}}</ref>
| PSXE      = 6.9/10<ref>{{cite web|published=July 7, 1999|title=''Medievil'' Review|site=PSX Extreme|url=http://www.psxextreme.com/ps1-reviews/29.html}}</ref>
}}
}}
''MediEvil'' received mostly positive reviews, with an 80.40% aggregate rating on {{w|GameRankings|Game Rankings}}.<ref name="Game Rankings"/> The game received a 7.8/10 from {{w|IGN}}.<ref name="IGN"/> IGN heralded it as "A fun game and one of PlayStation's classics". {{w|GameSpot}} gave it an 8.2/10, proclaiming that the game is a "welcome surprise".<ref name="Gamespot"/> {{w|Game Revolution}} gave the game an A− and stated that "what we have here is one of the cleverest platform games ever made".<ref name="Game Revolution"/>
''MediEvil'' received mostly positive reviews, with an 80.40% aggregate rating on [[wikipedia:GameRankings|Game Rankings]].<ref name="Game Rankings"/> The game received a 7.8/10 from [[wikipedia:IGN|IGN]].<ref name="IGN"/> IGN heralded it as "A fun game and one of PlayStation's classics". [[wikipedia:GameSpot|GameSpot]] gave it an 8.2/10, proclaiming that the game is a "welcome surprise".<ref name="Gamespot"/> [[wikipedia:Game Revolution|Game Revolution]] gave the game an A− and stated that "what we have here is one of the cleverest platform games ever made".<ref name="Game Revolution"/>


According to [[Jason Wilson]], market research for the game in 1998 revealed that the game scored very highly with female gamers, especially in France.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Jason Wilson|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.|site=Twitter|url=https://twitter.com/GunnComics/status/1049642128496893954|published=October 9, 2018}}</ref>
According to [[Jason Wilson]], market research for the game in 1998 revealed that the game scored very highly with female gamers, especially in France.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Jason Wilson|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.|site=Twitter|url=https://twitter.com/GunnComics/status/1049642128496893954|published=October 9, 2018}}</ref>
Line 219: Line 177:


==Credits==
==Credits==
{|class="article-table" border="1"  cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1"  style="width:100% margin-right:auto;"
{|class="wikitable" border="1"  cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1"  style="width:100% margin-right:auto;"
! scope="row" style="text-align:right;"|Game Concept/Direction
! scope="row" style="text-align:right;"|Game Concept/Direction
|[[Chris Sorrell]]
|[[Chris Sorrell]]
Line 335: Line 293:


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
{{See also|Category:MediEvil images|l1=MediEvil images}}
{{Empty section}}
===Official screenshots (prototype)===
<gallery hideaddbutton="true" orientation="none" bordersize="small" captionsize="small" bordercolor="accent" widths="150" columns="3" orientation="square">
ZoneDemo-Screenshot1.png
ZoneDemo-Screenshot2.png
ZoneDemo-Screenshot3.png
ZoneDemo-Screenshot4.png
ZoneDemo-Screenshot5.png
ZoneDemo-Screenshot6.png
ZoneDemo-Screenshot7.png
ZoneDemo-Screenshot8.png
ZoneDemo-Screenshot9.png
ZoneDemo-Screenshot10.png
ZoneDemo-Screenshot11.png
ZoneDemo-Screenshot12.png
</gallery>
===Official screenshots (final)===
<gallery hideaddbutton="true" orientation="none" bordersize="small" captionsize="small" bordercolor="accent" widths="150" columns="3">
ss1.jpg
ss2.jpg
ss3.jpg
ss4.jpg
ss5.jpg
ss6.jpg
ss7.jpg
ss8.jpg
ss9.jpg
ss10.jpg
ss11.jpg
ss12.jpg
</gallery>
 
===Videos===
<gallery id="0" hideaddbutton="true" columns="3" orientation="landscape">
MediEvil (ECTS 1997 Trailer)|[[ECTS 1997]] Trailer
MediEvil Prescreens Trailer Footage (Mid-1997 Prototype)|Edge CD1 Trailer
MediEvil Power Play Preview Footage (Late 1997 Prototype)|"Power Play" Preview
MediEvil Promotional Trailer|Promotional Trailer (EU)
Promotional Trailer (US)|Promotional Trailer (US)
60 second TV advert (US)|[[Monsters]] TV advert (US)
MediEvil - 30 second TV advert (US)|30 second TV advert (US)
30 second TV advert (EU)|[[Funeral]] TV advert (EU)
</gallery>


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
[[File:MediEvil Early Cover Art.jpg|thumb|right|Early ''MediEvil'' cover art.]]
*''MediEvil'' was one of the first games to support a {{w|DualShock}} controller on the PlayStation.{{Cite}}
*The PAL 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>
*The PAL 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>
*Some promotional posters for the game feature a different cover art design (see [[:File:MediEvil Early Cover Art.jpg|image]]).
*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|[[Credits (MediEvil)|Credits]]}}
*''MediEvil'' is dedicated to the memory of [[Mr. Apple]].{{Gameref|MED|[[Credits|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|Interview with Jason Wilson|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|Interview with Jason Wilson|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 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 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]].
* From August to September of 2010, ''MediEvil'' was made available for free to European PlayStation Plus subscribers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blog.eu.playstation.com/2010/08/03/playstation-plus-content-for-august-and-september/|title=PlayStation Plus Content For August And September|site=PlayStation.Blog.Europe}}</ref>
* From August to September of 2010, ''MediEvil'' was made available for free to European PlayStation Plus subscribers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blog.eu.playstation.com/2010/08/03/playstation-plus-content-for-august-and-september/|title=PlayStation Plus Content For August And September|site=PlayStation.Blog.Europe}}</ref>
 
==In other languages==
{{Names
{{Names
|cn=骷髅战士MediEvil
|cn=骷髅战士MediEvil
Line 402: Line 316:
*{{Icon|Fan}} [[Fan:MediEvil (comic)|''MediEvil'']] fan comic.
*{{Icon|Fan}} [[Fan:MediEvil (comic)|''MediEvil'']] fan comic.
*{{Icon|Fan}} [[Fan:MediEvil (film)|''MediEvil'']] fan film.
*{{Icon|Fan}} [[Fan:MediEvil (film)|''MediEvil'']] fan film.
*{{Icon|Fan}} ''[[Fan:MediEvil: Hero of Gallowmere|MediEvil: Hero of Gallowmere]] ''mod for ''[[w:c:elderscrolls:The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim|The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim]]''.
*{{Icon|Fan}} ''[[Fan:MediEvil: Hero of Gallowmere|MediEvil: Hero of Gallowmere]] ''mod for ''[[wikipedia:The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim|The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim]]''.
*{{Icon|Fan}} [[Fan:MediEvil: Undead Again|''MediEvil: Undead Again'']] fan game.
*{{Icon|Fan}} [[Fan:MediEvil: Undead Again|''MediEvil: Undead Again'']] fan game.


Line 412: Line 326:
*{{Icon|Tcrf}} [http://tcrf.net/MediEvil ''MediEvil''] on TCRF.
*{{Icon|Tcrf}} [http://tcrf.net/MediEvil ''MediEvil''] on TCRF.
*{{Icon|UVL}} {{UVL|19450|''MediEvil''}} on the UVL.
*{{Icon|UVL}} {{UVL|19450|''MediEvil''}} on the UVL.
*{{Icon|Wikipedia}} {{w|MediEvil (1998 video game)|''MediEvil''}} at Wikipedia.
*{{Icon|Wikipedia}} [[wikipedia:MediEvil (1998 video game)|''MediEvil'']] at Wikipedia.
==Navigation==
{{MediEvil series}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:''MediEvil''}}


{{Wikipedia|MediEvil (1998 video game)}}
{{Media}}
{{MediEvil}}
{{MediEvil speedrunning}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:''MediEvil''}}
[[es:MediEvil]]
[[hu:MediEvil]]
[[it:MediEvil]]
[[Category:Games]]
[[Category:Games]]
[[Category:MediEvil games]]
[[Category:Main series]]
[[Category:Featured articles]]