MediEvil (series)

MediEvil
The MediEvil logo, as used in the remake of MediEvil
Genre(s)Action-adventure, hack and slash
Developer(s)SCE Studio Cambridge
Other Ocean Interactive
Publisher(s)Sony Interactive Entertainment
Creator(s)Chris Sorrell
Jason Wilson
Composer(s)Andrew Barnabas
Paul Arnold
Platform(s)PlayStation
PlayStation Portable
PlayStation 4
First releaseMediEvil
9 October 1998
Latest releaseMediEvil
25 October 2019

MediEvil is an action-adventure hack and slash series of games developed by SCE Studio Cambridge and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. The series revolves around an undead charlatan knight, Sir Daniel Fortesque, as he attempts to restore peace to the fictional Kingdom of Gallowmere whilst simultaneously redeeming himself. The first entry in the series, MediEvil, was released for the PlayStation in 1998 and was re-released on the PlayStation Network in 2007. Its direct sequel, MediEvil 2, was released for the PlayStation in 2000. The first game received two remakes, MediEvil: Resurrection for the PlayStation Portable in 2005 and MediEvil for the PlayStation 4 in 2019.

The first three installments of the series were developed by SCE Studio Cambridge (formerly known as Millennium Interactive), a subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment in Cambridge. Development of the first MediEvil began in 1995 and was inspired by Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas. The game was initially aimed for multiple consoles including Microsoft Windows platforms and the Sega Saturn; however, upon being shown progress, Sony Computer Entertainment signed MediEvil to be PlayStation-exclusive and commissioned the studio as SCE Cambridge. The music for all games was composed by Andrew Barnabas and Paul Arnold, commonly known as "Bob & Barn". Critics have been mostly positive to the series, with its graphics and story being particularly praised in the first two games. However, common criticisms included lack of innovation and cumbersome camera controls.