The first MediEvil was a success after its release back in 1998 for its unique gameplay, Halloween-influenced atmosphere and its visuals to be similar to Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas. The first game is still memorable and many people would still consider coming back to playing the game in the PlayStation library, but what you don't hear much about is the sequel which was released towards the end of the PS1 lifespan back in 2000.
MediEvil 2 was the second installment in the series and a sequel to the first game, taking place 500 years after Sir Daniel Fortesque defeated the evil sorcerer Zarok. In the year 1886 during the Victorian era a sorcerer named Lord Palethorn discovers Zarok's spellbook and casts a spell of raising the dead over the city of London so think of Land of the Dead but in Victorian times. However the pages of the book soon scatter across London and Lord Palethorn gains a demon-like appearance as a result so he is pretty much the next Zarok if you think about it. When Lord Palethorn casted that spell brig the dead back to life the spell accidently wakes up Sir Daniel Fortesque who was resting the museum at the time, so it's up to Sir Daniel Fortesque to save the day once again.
The gameplay controls are still the same as they were if you've played the first game the Circle button to jump, the X button for primary attacks when it comes to swords, axes and hammers, plus the Square button for secondary attacks or holding down the button to charge up super-attacks. You can switch weapons back and forth including key items in your inventory by pressing select, you can toggle weapons by pressing both L1 and Square you can only carry two weapons on you during gameplay but you can go back to your inventory to change weapons. Using the Triangle button helps you defend from enemies if you have a shield equipped on you and also be able to dash as well which can be handy to dodge certain attacks from enemies.
You can also using crossbows and pistol guns as well to shoot at enemies from a far-away distance or if you can't reach the enemy weak spot just shoot at the target. What makes the game a little easier that the AI target locks on enemies when it comes to using handguns and crossbows which makes it easy to aim and fire at enemies unlike the first game you had trouble to shoot and aim in a third-person perspective. If you are low on ammo you can purchase ammo and shields from The Spiv and if you are stuck or not sure where to go next if you see a glowing cloud of particles speak to the ghost Winston if you need any help.
Most of the gameplay mechanics that were in the first MediEvil make a return in the sequel, but there's also a few puzzles added in where you'll need to think on how to solve them and the more life bottles you have you won't get a game over that quickly. The difficulty is about the same as the first game which offers a good set of challenges and levels being set in 1886. The only problem that you may have is the camera controls which still feel stiff as the first MediEvil you can use the right analog stick to move the camera around but whatever level you are playing through the camera really be annoying when facing certain bosses or trying to solve a puzzle.
The graphics and visuals haven't changed much since the first game but the Halloween-influenced atmosphere make a return again and with it being set in 1886 the Victorian setting makes a good touch for a sequel having a mix of gothic and medieval is a good combination. Most of the levels you will be going through the streets of London including a battle against Jack the Ripper as well, the level layout design may put a few people but still does a good job making you keep playing MediEvil 2 you can easily finish the game within 5 hours or more. The soundtrack does keep the game the game going as well for its story including a line-up of characters you'll come across and of course Sir Daniel Fortesque trying to be the hero as he was when defeating Zarok 500 years ago.
I thought the game could have been a little better for a sequel you would expect it to be good as the first game when it comes to story-telling. But however fans of the series will still find MediEvil 2 a fun game to play through filled with humor and would say it's worth checking out if you see this game cheap anywhere it's unknown if it will make an appearance on the PSN Store.