I won't be breaking this comparison into categories which will quickly become obvious as this entry goes on. I do wanna say both faced mixed reception from people which is a shame. However I got more reason to give respect to MediEvil here. We actually gotten a full remake while we get what comes off as a cash grab.
At first this seems like 1 on 2 situation but actually it's truthfully 2 on 2 because you can also play the original version of MediEvil. We get to experience two versions of the same game for no additional charge. Sadly, the prestation of ZAMN/GP compilation is a bit weird. In terms of how it's set up to even how you see what's all there.
Trophy hunting in MediEvil can be fun while it's a mixed bag experience for ZAMN/GP compilation. Which includes yes you can save your process. But it isn't done like more recent game compilations. No you have to save your game then leave your session in order to select your save game to continue off of that.
Also for a game where they throw so much at you while trying to save people, where's rewind in all of this. Guess what there isn't rewind making this even worse. Somehow they screw up the mechanic in ZAMN's case for random icons/power ups/weapons. This is important because there's a particular icon you'll need to get into the bonus stages.
Oh wait it gets even worst, they changed some of the passwords while removed the rest of them. For example, previously you'll get a particular boss in GP but now you get a different boss? Yes this is notably cheaper than MediEvil without anything additional. But MediEvil's additional content are rather nice stuff to have.
You can buy a digital comic book, an digital art book, the soundtrack and a new MediEvil PS4 background animation with audio. All of which is done separately from the game. You also get Dan's golden armor from MediEvil 2. If you have MediEvil demo, hidden in it is a helmet from the Japanese version of MediEvil (PS1).
If you complete all the Lost Souls then place every soul where they belong. You'll unlock a new option on the main menu called Old Game. Going back to those Lost Souls missions, you'll get even more lore. They also added in entries you can look up to learn even more about it. Digital comic book itself was written by the creator of MediEvil himself.
There's some notable changes in some of the stages but mostly the same as the original game. It's kinda crazy you can play both of these on PS4 as well as PS5 now. On one hand you can tell the new team that remade the game loves it as well as the fans. Sadly you're going to get the opposite reaction from ZAMN/GP compilation.
I should point out you actually get the PAL version of MediEvil (PS1) instead of the US version. Originally you had to manual save your process, which is still an option in the remake. But you also can automatically save your process as well. Also how it works, it's a quicker process than the PS1 version. Considering you use passwords in ZAMN/GP compilation, you start on those stages with virtually nothing.
As for the bosses, MediEvil Remake did a great job recreating them. Even made a handful of them better as well. In ZAMN's case, you mostly avoid them except a few times because you'll need skull keys. You also have to face Dr. Tongue twice with the later having two forms. It's safe to say ZAMN/GP compilation are notably harder, more unforgiving games.
I was able to beat ZAMN from the beginning with a lot of saving. I easily could've fully replayed MediEvil three times in a row to end up having way more fun in the process. The developers for ZAMN/GP compilation also failed to helped with the inventory problem. MediEvil remake looks as well as sounds amazing in comparison.
Now I know it's somewhat fair to compare a CD based game to an cartridge based game on audio. Obviously, CDs can hold up a lot more information overall. ZAMN still sounds absolutely amazing. They also didn't include online coop for both ZAMN & GP, which was a major let down. You can tell they wanted to do the minimal effort as possible.
Controls is way better in MediEvil as well. Even load times especially in PS1 version's case is notably improved as well. ZAMN/GP compilation would've been better without GP. Then again I also could've say DMC2 removed from DMC HD Collection would've made that even better too. MediEvil Remake also has the original cast reprising their roles.
Again that's not fair for ZAMN/GP compilation since those had more limited voice overs or some sound effects. MediEvil Remake is bigger in size, well that part in a few regards was obvious too. You don't feel cheated by it in any possible way. Even without the additional stuff, they did make some game play changes to improve the experience.
Such as now being able to wield two weapons, you do need to switch between them. A mechanic pulled from MediEvil 2 that works well here. Another advantage it has is you pause the game then easily move through the inventory to select either weapon or key items you'll need. This is better than in ZAMN/GP compilation's case you gotta do it during the game play.
Which can leave to some unpleasant situations. It's truly amazing that one change would've done wonders. There's also more notable variety what you'll do within MediEvil's stages. In ZAMN & GP's case, for the most part you have to rescue people. If all of them dies it's game over. GP also has boss stages even if you had one victim left prior no longer matters because it refilled the amount of victims.
The only way to do that in ZAMN itself is do well within the bonus stages. Doing good enough job earns you a victim, which increases your total amount of victims unless you're already remained at max of 10 victims. Using weapons wise, it's way more fun as well as satisfying in MediEvil. I can't even pick one weapon I dislike enough to call the worst.
There isn't many weapons you can rely in both ZAMN & GP. Same goes for the power ups with GP having a reaper form, easily the best part of the experience. Sadly it quickly can be wasted since that form can't jump. So if you fallen down a spot you're still alive while in that form, you have no choice but wait until you return back to normal.
This isn't even an issue for beast form in ZAMN since there's no jumping. Unless you get on a trampoline while in normal form. Every weapon in both games has limited ammo. Yet that isn't the case with MediEvil. Yes you get two shields with a limited percentage as well as weapons with ammo. But you also get weapons including your own arm you can keep on using.
Weapons like Magic Sword, Hammer and, Magic Longbow are very decent weapons. In ZAMN/GP compilation, you have to search around for items/power ups & weapons. You could do that to some degree in MediEvil but there's also a merchant whose a gargoyle to buy stuff from. If you collect the chalices, you'll be given some nice stuff that will help on your journey.
Of course, MediEvil Remake does suffer from camera angles at times. You also need to know about a handful of particular objects to process the game further. Otherwise, you aren't able to move beyond a certain point. Thankfully, getting those objects as well as using them is easier than it sounds. Another advantage is PS1 version of MediEvil does have cheat codes mostly for cheat menu.
Considering ZAMN/GP compilation only offers up passwords, that' a major thing to have. Cheat menu virtually guarantees everything, I do mean everything. MediEvil Remake is hands down the better more recent release as well as rerelease of the PS1 version. In every category, it virtually destroys ZAMN/GP compilation.
The only issue I have with MediEvil Remake is it's an PS exclusive game. It does quickly make up for that problem. Considering PC version of ZAMN/GP compilation was stated by people to be unplayable. You know the developers dropped the ball hard on this. I even heard the Wii digital rerelease of ZAMN was way better.
Sometimes being on more platforms hurts you badly. This was no exception to that, it should've been a slam dunk. Instead it was more like seventeen straight foul balls in a baseball game!!! You simply don't do that guys!!! Not to mention, MediEvil lives up to the fans' expectations. Sadly it was the exact opposite for ZAMN/GP compilation.
If you had to buy either MediEvil Remake on PS4 or platform of your choice for ZAMN/GP compilation. I highly encourage you to pick up MediEvil Remake. ZAMN/GP compilation is one of the most disappointing game compilations I ever played. MediEvil Remake having nice bonus stuff, yes some of which you have to buy with more money quickly makes up for that.
Better more recent release is MediEvil Remake on PlayStation 4
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