Medievil 2

We all love a good candidate for a console mascot. A character that can sit amongst the Spyros, the Crashes, the Master Chiefs and the Marios and hold there own. Medieval was a game that was supposed to throw its hat into the ring through its protagonist, Sir Daniel Fortesque. However, this level of acclaim escaped this cult classic but there was still a lot of love for the series as there still is today and thus a sequel would release predictably titled Medievil 2.

This game would play like the original game in the series, continuing on from the events of the last game and aiming to polish the gameplay from the previous outing. Though, if you’re unfamiliar with the series. The title plays similar to games like Legend of Kay, Gregory Horror Show or perhaps most closely to Maximo: Army of Zin.

Sticks to the playbook

This game doesn’t pull any sly tricks on returning players to the series. It stays true to the original game, leaving all the parts in that players loved about the original but also opting to include new features that seem like they were perhaps unfinished assets that would have slid perfectly into the first outing if the developers had more time.

You still have your assortment of blunt weapons to swing around mindlessly at your foes and there is still a great number of well-designed puzzles and segments that will cause you to scratch your head but won’t have you reaching to pull your hair out in frustration. It can be a fine line to walk but the series seems to do this with ease.

There are also new elements to the gameplay such as Dan’s disembodied head which you can take around the level via spooky hands to carry it. This allows you to access hidden nooks and crannies and adds an extra layer to an already successful gaming format.

Technical hiccups

Despite this success, the game does take a step backwards in some aspects of it’s presentation. One of the most noticeable flaws is the camera angle. This is due to this iterations choice to include more platforming which the camera was not equipped to deal with. This causes difficulty in the late game that just seems completely unfair and sucks in the fun out of the experience.

The game also features less combat in lieu of clever puzzles to defeat enemies. However, this could have been presented as a potential option rather than one set in stone, offering the player the choice of fighting the horde or taking a more cunning approach. It’s a small gripe but a relevant one nonetheless.

Bone chillingly good!

Despite the minor issues with the camera which can be overlooked, the game takes the blueprint of the older version and really steps the game up and allows the series to reach new heights. The puzzles and combat are much better and more diverse, the visuals are crisper, the sound is still cartoonish and fitting for the kingdom of Gallowmere and the plot is still as good and charming as the one prior to it.

Pros

• New, more varied puzzles
• Better visuals that original
• Decent plot
• The musical score is great

Cons

• Camera angles cause difficulty spikes
• Player choice is stunted in some areas
• Quite short run time.

SCEE's (Sony Computer Entertainment Europe) surprise hit MediEvil was tremendously well-received when it was released over a year ago, so it's little surprise that a sequel has been in the works ever since. Again using a unique visual style somewhat similar to Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas this vast 3D platform/ adventure hybrid should be with us in American stores sometime in the first quarter 2000. If you've not played the original, think Ghosts & Goblins in 3D.