MediEvil Review (no fat)

Game Description

MediEvil has been around for a long time. The game first appeared on PlayStation in 1998. MediEvil: Resurrection is somewhat a remake of the reasonably popular PlayStation feature. The game itself is not necessarily all that it is cracked up to be -- from some visual problems to a less than inspiring story line, the game is flawed.

MediEvil Storyline

In MediEvil, you assume the role of Sir Daniel Fortesque. In this role, you actually were a cowardly person during your life. You end up being murdered when an arrow was shot through your eye. Following your death, the King spreads the story that you actually were a heroic person who fought bravely against the game’s antagonist, the evil Zarok.

You then bounce ahead one hundred years where the evil Zarok is back trying to take control of the kingdom. Zarok casts a spell to bring the dead back to life as zombies who pay allegiance to him. You are brought back to life as well and decide to redeem yourself and elect to bravely take on Zarok and his army of zombies and skeletons.

Throughout your quest to defeat Zarok, you will battle everything from mutant pumpkins, crazy mental patients to wild scarecrows and zombies.

MediEvil Gameplay

The combat is fairly simplistic ‘cut and dry’, but for a few challenges. While the video problems (including sputtering and unwanted pauses) interfere with fights and battle sequences, you are able to gather chalices as you successfully battle forward. With these chalices, you can bring back dead knights to assist you, knights that were entered in the venerable Hall of Heroes.

As you battle onward, you will also note that there are occasions where the ability to focus a weapon on an antagonist is foiled due to technical glitches in the video. Even while your enemy might not be too clever, the game’s faulty visuals do plenty to frustrate the once-coward-and-now-brave Knight, Sir Daniel Fortesque.

The game does include a number of side, mini-games that are actually interesting and well developed -- on some levels better than the mail game levels of MediEvil. You can have the chance to play these mini-games throughout your movement within the main levels. Each of the 19 main levels have specific themes -- which makes the play a bit more interesting.

MediEvil Visuals and Graphics

The visuals and graphics are rather disappointing. As mentioned previously, there are times where the visuals are jerky and far from smooth running. Indeed, the interruptions and pauses tend to take away from the flow of play and drag the game into mediocrity.

The characters that are drawn and created and included within the game are a visual highpoint. Interesting in their appearance, the characters do add some spice and dash to the game. The background graphics and scenic visuals, however, are far from inspired.

MediEvil Sound Quality

Perhaps the best part of the game is the audio element. The voices fit the characters perfectly and really do add a nice touch to the game.

The special sound effects also add an eerie and interesting element. The special sound effects can catch you off guard and actually surprise and startle you as you attempt to move forward.

The music and sound track is smartly produced and greatly enhances the game’s value.

MediEvil Summary

Far from inspiring, the game is not a complete loss. As mentioned, the audio elements and sound effects are well done. Additionally, if you are a fan of the original MediEvil, you might enjoy revisiting the game and the story once more through this latest version of the game.

For others who are just looking for a quality game, MediEvil is too far off target to suit the bill.

MediEvil Price

The game retails for $39.99US at the time of this review.