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MediEvil
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Graphics & Sound:
The graphics in MediEvil lean towards goofy rather than ghoulish. The main character, Sir Daniel Fortesque, with his one-eyed charm and grin of exploding teeth, is actually quite endearing. As he makes his way through the spooky terrain, dismembered hands run to and fro. Attack them with the giant, unbreakable club and score two coins for each smashed hand. Go back through the levels if you need to rack up on coinage. It’ll help you out when you need to buy a weapons upgrade. The graphics are very reminiscent of Gex (as is the gameplay). The musical score matches the gameplay well... intensifying during battles and when the player picks up an important item. At other times, the music is almost inaudible.
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Gameplay:
MediEvil starts you in the graveyard (where else) after a nice little animation. If you are patient and don’t hit the start button when the skeleton beckons, the camera pans to the water and you see a little background story of our knight. The control is pretty basic. Shoulder buttons allow you to change your view (invaluable with some of the crazy camera views you’ll see). There are required items to pick up on your quest, such as different types of “Runes.” They are used as “keys” for gates, so don’t pass them by. Of course, don’t skip any goodies along the way. It may be money, health, or even a shield. There’s also a rejuvenation area, as well as bottles of health along the way. I thought this area made the game a little too easy, but who knows... It might come in handy later on in the game. The money you pick up allows you to purchase weapons or repairs at a “demonic pit stop” of sorts, so the money system is actually a useful feature. In the Ant Hill level, try killing the Queen Ant with the indestructible hammer rather than the club (because the club wears out). Use the hammer to destroy just about anything, including the ants.
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Difficulty:
The game is fairly easy at first. Of course, as you progress through levels, the enemies get tougher. Also, you begin encountering more obstacles both inherent and objects (such as boulders) which roll across the level to crush you. At one part, MediEvil looks like a remake of Donkey Kong... but in 3D (imagine boulders rolling down VERY much like barrels.) The second level is a progression up a hill. By cutting through using the little steps, you can finish the level in about three minutes. Of course, you also miss a lot of stuff along the way...
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Game Mechanics:
One cool feature in MediEvil is the ability to adjust the lighting settings. This helps you choose between setting an eerie mood and increasing visibility. There’s no animation when he uses an item such as a key. This can be maddening. It makes you appreciate Tomb Raider-style action animation.
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-Psibabe, GameVortex Communications AKA Ashley Perkins |
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