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MediEvil (PS1, 1998)

MediEvil (PS1, 1998)

Subgenre: 3D Action Adventure-lite/Collectathon (collect keys to progress), Killathon element (kill enemies to make an optional and hidden "chalice of souls" item appear - grants access to the hall of heroes where you can get extra rewards (weapons - the game is noticeably harder without them, gold, life bottles))


Perspective: TP View (sometimes the camera goes TD or near SV)


Other: Hub map (see SMW; some branching paths where you can do one of two levels in either order and sometimes you'll backtrack to use a key-type item in a previously beaten level to explore further into it), Shops (consumable weapons, temporary sword and shield upgrades)

  • Minor ability gating - One transformation of sorts (equip the dragon armor found in one level to move through hot areas in another - this also replaces your gear with a flame spitting dragon head)

  • Can't quickly exit beaten levels nor exit new levels via their entrances

  • Mostly linear structure (can replay beaten levels (only collecting the chalice is saved though - items respawn, puzzles reset and doors relock), some choice in which reward to get first in the hall of heroes at a couple of points (trial & error though and it doesn't really matter), sometimes you'll unlock new parts of previous levels by beating bosses or finding items later in the game (somewhat confusing how you don't return to the graveyard to open the skull gate though - instead you enter a new level called "return to the graveyard" which ties into the previous level and can only open the gate from there))

  • Frequent checkpoints but you need to have one or more life bottles (1-ups)

  • Save between levels (three slots per game or memory card)

  • Minor puzzles in some levels (easy overall but some are decent)

  • Levels tend to feel a bit more like actual places than in the average platformer

  • Shows you in which levels you've collected the chalice on the map screen (similar to SMW)

  • No level maps (makes the ant's nest segment a bit tedious but is a minor problem otherwise)

  • Two endings (collect all chalices for the good one)

  • Analog support - need to use an analog controller to use a button to run (double tap otherwise) and to switch between toggle and auto-run

  • Some invisible walls

  • No fast travel


Playthrough - Video Review - Mini Review



Influenced by: Probably Zelda: Ocarina of Time, The Nightmare Before Christmas (movie), possibly Tomb Raider series, Castlevania series, Quackshot or DuckTales 1-2, SMB3 or SMW


Influenced: Pumpkin Jack, possibly American McGee's Alice, Shadow Man, Maximo

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