Summary
TheMediEvilseries is one of the most beloved PlayStation franchises of all time, especially for all those players who grew up with the first PlayStation. Despite a positive reception for the first two games, the series faded into obscurity after a few years, only to come back with a remake for PlayStation 4 in 2019. Sadly, all attempts to make a third chapter were shelved in the early phases of development.
While the series is only composed of two games, there are technically four entries in the series, as the firstMediEvilreceived not one, but two very different remakes over time. So the question is: whichMediEvilgame is the very best incarnation of the series?
MediEvil: Resurrectionis a PSP remake of the originalMediEvil. While the 2019MediEvilremake is a faithful adaptation of the source material,this remake tries to do something different. This is most evident in the plot: while the events are mostly the same as in the original game, the tone of the adventure is much different, leaning more into the comedic aspects of Sir Daniel’s story, and its gothic nature is downplayed because of this. Most fans despise this change in direction, and that’s the reason whyMediEvil: Resurrectionis hardly recognized by the community.
Other than that, the game also brings many new features to the gameplay department. Some levels are altered, others are entirely removed, and some new stages are added in. There are also some extra mini-games, which can be played in local multiplayer. While the quality of these additions is up for debate, they still manage to give the game its unique personality, giving players a reason to go through the adventure even now that there’s a far better remake of the original game on the market.
MediEvil 2is so farthe only true sequel to the original game. Here, Sir Daniel Fortesque is brought back to life once again, this time in Victorian London. The game introduces a brand-new cast of characters, including an ancient mummy princess named Kiya, whom Dan falls in love with.MediEvil 2shares the same basic structure as the first game, but it introduces a much broader arsenal of weapons, as well as a greater level variety.
Despite being a better game on paper, fans still considerMediEvil 2to be somewhat inferior to the first game, and that is mainly because of the game’s aesthetic and atmosphere. The firstMediEvilhas a distinct gothic-influenced style that is very reminiscent of Tim Burton’s creations, something that was perhaps never replicated at such a quality level in gaming. Victorian London is surely an inspiring setting,but it’s much more common in games, and that’s why many fans feel a stronger connection towards the first game.
The firstMediEvilis still fondly remembered by the PlayStation community. It has a unique protagonist in Sir Daniel Fortesque, an undead knight looking for redemption, andits gothic-inspired aesthetic is reminiscent of Tim Burton’s body of work, which is almost universally loved by players, especially those who grew up in the 90s. The game also has a unique atmosphere, grim and dark but also comedic and dumb at the same time. Almost every stage feels unique and iconic, and there are many memorable moments that players will never be able to forget, such as the first entrance into the sleeping village.
However, while the game is indeed a classic, it hasn’t aged perfectly. Most of the issues come from the control scheme and camera, both of which can feel less than ideal at times throughout the adventure. Sir Daniel feels too stiff to control, especially when compared to what gamers are accustomed to nowadays. These problems are not deal-breakers,and players will still be able to enjoy this game today, but it can’t be denied that it’s rough around the edges.
The 2019 remake ofMediEvilis undoubtedly the best game in the series so far. For starters, this is a faithful remake of the source material, meaning that everything that made the original game great is here and accounted for. Secondly, the development team focused on polishing every single aspect of the game. Controlling Sir Dan has never felt so good, and (almost) all those annoying controls and camera issues that were present in the original have been resolved here.
Of course, there are some minor imperfections. First and foremost, many players felt let down by the lack of new features in this remake. While it’s good to seeMediEvilrunning on PlayStation 4 graphics, the game has mostly remained the same, and that can be too little for players who are looking for new content in the franchise. Secondly, the game’s aesthetic is noticeably different from the original.While the gothic influences are still evident, the game looks a lot less dark and dim, something that’s been negatively received by a number of fans. Luckily, the original version of the game is included as an unlockable bonus, so players can experience both versions of the game and choose which one they prefer.
