MediEvil

About MediEvil

MediEvil dropped in 1998 from SCE Cambridge Studio for the original PlayStation. You play as Sir Daniel Fortesque, a skeleton knight who gets resurrected to fight the sorcerer Zarok. The game mixes action with puzzle solving and platforming across the kingdom of Gallowmere. It later got ports to PlayStation 3 and PSP. This is not a modern open world title but a linear adventure where you swing a sword or rip off your own arm to clear levels. The story frames Dan as a failure who needs to earn his hero status by beating Zarok's undead army. It runs on single-player mode only and relies on classic 3D controls from the late nineties era.

Gameplay

You control Sir Daniel through eight distinct levels filled with enemies and puzzles. Your main attack involves swinging weapons like swords or clubs, but you can also charge shots for more damage. The most memorable mechanic is Dan ripping his own arm off to use as a ranged projectile or melee weapon when not holding an item. You must manage a single health bar that drains when you get hit or fall into water. Collecting Life Bottles extends your maximum capacity and refills health automatically upon death. Levels hide Green Gargoyles for info and Blue ones to trade treasure for ammo. Finding the Chalice of Souls in each zone lets you visit the Hall of Heroes for extra weapons. You cannot progress without clearing specific objectives or defeating bosses like Lord Kardok.

What Players Think

The PlayPile community has rated MediEvil with an IGDB score of 78 out of 100 based on 141 user ratings. Most players spend around 10 to 12 hours finishing the main campaign, though completion rates vary for those hunting all collectibles. Review snippets often highlight the charm of Dan's skeletal appearance and the unique arm-ripping mechanic as standout features. Community mood leans heavily toward nostalgic appreciation, with many noting the game holds up despite its age. Average playthroughs show a steady pace without excessive grinding, but some users mention the difficulty spikes near the end. The data suggests players who enjoy classic platformers rate it higher than those expecting modern combat systems.

PlayPile's Take

This title works well if you want a straightforward action adventure with a funny protagonist. It costs very little on modern platforms compared to new releases. You will unlock achievements or trophies for finding all Chalices and beating the true ending. The controls feel dated but the gameplay remains solid for short sessions. Do not expect deep mechanics or online features since it is a single-player experience only. I recommend this if you like 3D platformers from the late nineties or enjoy games with quirky character designs. It delivers a complete story without needing any microtransactions.

Storyline

In the year 1286, an evil sorcerer named Zarok plotted to take over the kingdom of Gallowmere with his undead army. It is told in legend that the King of Gallowmere's champion, Sir Daniel Fortesque, led his army to victory and managed to kill Zarok before succumbing to his mortal wounds. In reality however, Dan was in fact struck down by the first arrow fired in the battle, with the king choosing to cover it up and declare Dan the "Hero of Gallowmere". Zarok, meanwhile, was forced into hiding and was presumed dead. 100 years later, in 1386, Zarok reappears, casting a spell over Gallowmere to awaken his undead army and steal the souls of the living. However, in the process, he unwittingly revives the corpse of Dan, who has over time become a skeletal corpse, missing his jaw and the eye he lost in the battle of Gallowmere. Having been unable to ascend to the Hall of Heroes due to his failures in life, Dan uses this opportunity to defeat Zarok, save Gallowmere and earn his place as a true hero. As Dan travels across Gallowmere, fighting his way through Zarok's hordes and confronting all manners of beasts, he soon arrives at Zarok's lair, fighting off Zarok's skeletal warriors using the souls of his old allies retrieved by collecting the Chalices. After also managing to defeat Zarok's champion, Lord Kardok, Zarok turns into a powerful monster, but Dan manages to defeat him. As Zarok uses his last breath to cause his lair to collapse, Dan escapes and Zarok's magical influence over the land is thwarted, restoring the souls back to the living and putting the dead back to rest. With the magic cast on him also wearing off as a result, Dan returns to his burial chamber where he once again enters eternal slumber. If the player has managed to collect all the Chalices, Dan will ascend to the Hall of Heroes, where is hailed as the rightful Hero of Gallowmere.