Synopsis:
The PS1 cult classic returns in a faithful remake from Other Ocean Emeryville. As the resurrected knight Sir Daniel Fortesque, battle the sorcerer Zarok across Gallowmere in a lovingly rebuilt adventure that modernizes visuals and audio while preserving the original’s tone and structure.
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Reviewed on: PS4 (Pro unit)
Cast: Jason Wilson, Paul Darrow, Lani Minella, Helen Lederer, Helen Smith
Developer: Other Ocean Emeryville
Design Director: Glen McKnight
Lead Engineer: Ian Sherman
Art Director: Nick Bruty
Most kids in my age group grew up playing Mario on Nintendo, or Crash Bandicoot and Spyro on PlayStation, but in my house there was one other series that got as much play as those former PlayStation mascots—MediEvil and its sequel, both starring Sir Daniel Fortesque. As a massive fan, diving back into Gallowmere to stop Zarok was the most nostalgic I’ve felt with any of these recent remakes, and I’m very happy to report that MediEvil fans will be pleased with this version from Other Ocean Emeryville—a game that feels like a genuine labor of love.
MediEvil introduced me to Tim Burton before I knew his name, with obvious inspiration from Burton’s look and feel—particularly The Nightmare Before Christmas. That same character design, villains, worldbuilding, and fantastic music make MediEvil stand out in 2019. The game features an exuberant range of enemy types—everything from zombies to sky pirates and demons. Levels feel distinct as you guide Sir Dan through his horror-tinged graveyard home, a haunting village, and a dragon’s lair set in a crystal cave. The original art direction remains intact and is only more beautiful, eerie, and characterful with updated 4K visuals that fully realize the original intent.
Developer Other Ocean Emeryville has left as much of the original game as originally designed, extending detail to fit widescreen displays and 4K TVs. That means you’ll often notice new dressing in the background or off to the sides that didn’t exist before, but it’s all an extension of the PS1 blueprint—nothing drastic has changed in the look or layout of levels.
Sir Dan is still the muttering smart-ass on a mission he doesn’t really want, and although his lines were re-recorded by Jason Wilson—who voiced him in the original and was one of that game’s lead developers—the rest of the game’s voiceover is taken from the PS1 release and sounds great. The Hall of Heroes cast lands just as well here as before, as does the wizard villain, Zarok.
Much like the Crash Bandicoot and Spyro collections, MediEvil doesn’t overhaul the core gameplay or camera. You’ll still tussle with the camera occasionally, but that consistency helps keep the feel fans remember. Sir Dan moves quickly, and hacking away at enemies has that same brisk, arc-swinging tempo.
Boss fights—one of the original’s highlights, with a little Zelda DNA—remain fun. They’re not the childhood wall they once were, but taking down the first boss, the Stained Glass Demon, still felt like an epic early milestone and a doorway to a bigger world.
Other Ocean Emeryville does add one new late-game wrinkle: free a chest of souls, find those souls in one level, and escort them to another to set them free. It’s a small addition that extends playtime if you’re chasing 100% and the Platinum Trophy—you’ll revisit most levels 2–3 times—but late-game speed runs make it painless.
Slaying monsters, toppling huge bosses, collecting each level’s hidden chalice, and marching toward Zarok—I happily did it all and nabbed the Platinum in a single sitting because MediEvil is as fun today as it was when I was a kid. Other Ocean Emeryville has recreated one of the PS1’s greats with care. At its budget price, I hope fans pick it up so we can get a MediEvil 2 remake from the same team—because I want to kick Lord Palethorn’s ass in 4K.
(MediEvil code provided for review)
