Summary
- MediEvil remake had stellar visuals, but PS1-era gameplay that felt outdated.
- Rumors of a MediEvil 2 remake are swirling, and if so, it needs to fix the gameplay.
- Hopefully MediEvil 2's remake is really on the way, since it could open the door to a third game in the series.
The MediEvil franchise is a series of games that strikes many gamers with heavy doses of nostalgia. The charming hack and slash PlayStation exclusives may have not reached the heights of other Sony staples, but it has solidified its place as a cult classic. MediEvil came back into the spotlight back in 2019 when developer Other Ocean Emeryville attempted a remake of the game. The prospect of playing MediEvil with a fresh coat of paint was exciting, but the final product wasn't exactly perfect.
When it comes to PlayStation franchises, MediEvil is a small series, but there was plenty of excitement surrounding the remake. The shining point of the MediEvil remake was found in the visuals. Other Ocean Emeryville excelled at making MediEvil look like a modern game while still staying true to the original. Unfortunately, the gameplay was a completely different matter. Despite the graphics looking stellar, MediEvil still controlled like a PS1 game. This could offer a charming trip down memory lane for some players, but after years of control innovations, being brought back to the PS1 era of mechanics was jarring. Now that rumors of a MediEvil 2 remake have been circulating, developers need to right the wrongs of the first remake.
MediEvil Co-Creator Is Selling His BAFTA
A MediEvil co-creator takes to social media to announce the sale of his personal Game of the Year BAFTA award after struggling with financial issues.
MediEvil 2 Can Improve Upon the Mistakes of MediEvil
Elevating MediEvil's Gameplay to Meet Its Graphics
The rumors of a MediEvil 2 remake popped up back in April. It was believed that this rumored sequel remake would make an appearance at the PlayStation Showcase, but that has come to pass with no MediEvil 2 reveal. However, this doesn't completely discount the possibility of a remake still in the works.
One of the most iconic parts of MediEvil is Sir Daniel Fortesque, the buck-toothed sword-wielding skeleton who takes on the role of protagonist. Even 26 years later, Sir Daniel is a wonderful example of strong character design, and the 2019 remake only elevated his appearance. A potential MediEvil 2 remake would have no problem in the visuals department, since it was clearly achieved the first time around. However, the controls need to meet the same standards that the graphics were given.
Despite the issues with controls, the MediEvil remake was a great start at reviving the franchise, but MediEvil 2 can do even better. Of course, MediEvil is a product of its time, but that doesn't mean the controls and mechanics have to stay stuck in the dark ages. Taking the time and effort to make MediEvil's controls less cumbersome and feel more satisfying and snappy can be done with a sequel remake, and hopefully, there is enough of a demand for Other Ocean Emeryville to make a MediEvil 2 remake a reality.
If MediEvil 2 Happens, It Can Hopefully Reignite the Franchise
The first remake may have not struck the chord Other Ocean Emeryville was hoping for, but there still may be hope for the MediEvil franchise. If MediEvil 2 gets a remake, it could set the series up for its long-awaited third installment. A third MediEvil game has never made its way into production, but having both MediEvil games remade, with the latter being more fun, could breathe new life into the PlayStation exclusive.
At the end of the day, the MediEvil remake was a faithful adaptation that presented new beautiful visuals to players. Even though the controls were lacking, the stubborn camera has at least been improved. This upgrade shows that making the gameplay of MediEvil 2 better is not outside the realm of possibility. A MediEvil 2 remake may not turn out to be perfect, but it's worth a try to bring one of PlayStation's oldest franchises back into the spotlight.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 68 /100 Critics Rec: 37%
- Released
- October 25, 2019
- ESRB
- T For Teen // Blood and Gore, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Other Ocean Interactive
- Publisher(s)
- Sony Interactive Entertainment
- Engine
- unreal Engine 4
WHERE TO PLAY
Grab your sword, don the armor and earn your place as a true undead hero.
Sword swinging, perilous puzzles and enchanting environments are brought back to life in this full remake of the original action-adventure. Step into the bones of Sir Daniel Fortesque, an inept – and long-dead – knight accidentally resurrected by the evil sorcerer Zarok, 100 years after his embarrassing demise.
Stunning new visuals: Witness the glory of Gallowmere given a complete, head-spinning makeover full of enhanced visual detail and personality – and in eye-popping.
Classic gameplay, reimagined: Make full use of the improved camera system and a variety of weapons, including enchanted swords and gigantic hammers, to fend off the likes of boulder-spitting gargoyles, werewolves and zombies.
With the kingdom of Gallowmere under threat by Zarok’s demon hordes, only the skeletal Sir Dan stands in his way. A second chance for the toothy grinned, undead adventurer is at hand – can you defeat Zarok and grant Sir Dan the honor he lost in the flesh?
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 4
- Genre(s)
- Hack and Slash, Action-Adventure
- How Long To Beat
- 9 Hours
