Medievil I (Playstation 1)

Hard to believe the action adventure classics this almost 15 year old is. Published in 1998, developed by Sony's European subsidiary in Cambridge, bristled this game just as before urtypisch English black humor and the morbid charm of a Tim Burton film. On one hand, a commercial success, the other, a game of the fans still talk in glowing terms.

About the story:

You slip into the skin of the knight Sir Daniel Fortesque. Or rather in the bone, because the good is already a century ago are dead. In life, he was a highly respected man at the court of his palace. Sir Dan was one thing; a gifted storyteller, what him the king and his men appreciated. Gallowmere, the fictional game world, however, was a very peaceful country until one day the evil wizard Zarok threatened the kingdom to overthrow his army. Enthusiastic about Dan's heroic stories presented to him straight to the top of the Royal Army, where he should lead battle against Zarok. Daniel, however, was mortally wounded already by the first arrow (hence the missing eye). With distress and difficulty that the King and his undead legions Zarok army beat. Ashamed of Sir Fortesques inglorious end rich, spread his comrades: Daniel myself Zarok beaten with his last strength before, mortally wounded, died on the battlefield.

Sir Fortesque was a hero in the history books, and it began a period of peace that would last hundreds of years. But the sorcerer came back (quotation from the intro of the game)

Now, a century later Zarok has returned and has brought with a spell to life the dead Gallowmeres. Among them was Sir Dan, his alleged nemesis. Now it's Dan, which thus a second chance was given to overthrow Zarok and to be his legend justice.

The game:

Medievil is clearly attributable to the fantasy genre. So it roams example eerie cemetery landscapes, churches and villages in Gothic type, enchanted forests, a cornfield full of windmills and malicious scarecrows, a swamp, a lake and a sunken city, caves where you will find colorful shimmering crystals on all sides, the ruins of a old castle and much more fantastic places. All in Gallowmere is brought thoroughly magical and so loving to the point that you get the feeling the game have all these settings (you already know from movies and games in a similar way) ever invented. Of all the things that it is, Medievil is almost the epitome. Charming, Atmospheric, darkly humorous way, in detail (when I think of the countless references to the history of the game or even Gallowmere) and lovingly. You can feel really at every second of importance was the developers of this game.

You introduce yourself during the game against zombies, imps, changing scarecrows and pumpkins, various demons possessed villagers, malicious machines and mythological creatures like Minotaurs. The many bosses have what it takes: time you have to take it with a glass demon, sometimes with a giant pumpkin or a dragon. For this you stands an equally large arsenal of weapons available. Several swords, ax, hammer, crossbow, bow, spear, throwing daggers, various shields and some magical weapons (I do not want too much to anticipate here) you can discover during the game. A large part of these extras can get hold of her by killing enough enemies and hidden in the levels soul chalices collect. Do you have such a, you come between the game stages in the Hero's Vault, where spend the most courageous warriors Gallowmeres after death eternity. If you prove yourselves by collecting the cups as a worthy reward you quite often with gold or new weapons ...

Medievil plays this little straight to happiness. After the first quarter of the game, if you have already unlocked a good part of the map can you choose completely free where the journey should go next - which is certainly worth the entire game world to explore, as the level of mystery are and there always still is something to discover.

As was customary at the control requires a certain adjustment period, and just the targeted jumping needs to be practiced. Otherwise, control goes quite liquid after a few levels of your hand. The graphics are on good to very good (98s) standard, the sound is absolutely top class - Andrew Barnabas and Paul Arnold operate as "Bob and Barn" their own company and have been composed for numerous films, television series and video games soundtracks, have the game the perfect soundscape awarded from dreamy Celtic melodies and playful / morbid classical arrangements a la Danny Elfman and Tim Burton.

Medievil is one of the best classic game of all time and should be in every good collection!