《埃文斯之鞭合輯》（Earnest Evans Collection）是一款登上 PlayStation 5 與 Nintendo Switch 的復古動作遊戲合輯，收錄 90 年代經典三部曲：《Earnest Evans》、《El Viento》以及《Annet Returns》。由 Wolf Team 開發，該團隊後來演變為 Namco Tales Studio，並最終併入 Bandai Namco Entertainment，也正是《Tales》系列的重要起源之一。

整個三部曲以結合歷史與神秘學的世界觀為背景，圍繞冒險家 Earnest Evans 與年輕女祭司 Annet 展開。他們必須阻止傳奇黑幫人物 Al Capone 的陰謀——利用禁忌魔導書與古老儀式，復活邪神哈斯塔（Hastur），讓世界陷入黑暗。

在《Earnest Evans》中，故事起於美國總統 Calvin Coolidge 的委託，要求主角尋找傳說中的魔導書「死靈之書（Necronomicon）」。然而這本書同時也被卡彭覬覦，企圖用來復活邪神並掌控歐洲局勢。隨著劇情發展，安妮特登場，兩人攜手對抗逐漸浮現的黑暗勢力。

《El Viento》將時間推進數年後，故事焦點轉向安妮特。她被揭露擁有與哈斯塔相關的血統，成為復活儀式的關鍵。卡彭與女巫 Restiana 再度策動陰謀，安妮特在伊凡斯的協助下踏上旅程，試圖阻止世界走向毀滅。

最終章《Annet Returns》則將舞台擴展至歐洲各地，安妮特為了阻止名為 Siegfried Munchausen 的敵人與邪惡組織 NeXesis Party，展開最後的戰鬥，為整個系列畫下句點。

本合輯的一大特色，在於其精緻的演出表現。《Earnest Evans》與《Annet Returns》收錄由 Madhouse 製作的動畫過場，該公司曾參與《Trigun》與《Cardcaptor Sakura》等知名作品製作。此外，遊戲配樂由知名作曲家 Motoi Sakuraba 操刀，其代表作包含《Star Ocean》與《Tales of Phantasia》，為作品增添濃厚的戲劇張力。

在保留原作風味的同時，也加入多項現代化功能提升遊玩體驗。可以隨時使用倒帶功能修正失誤，並透過即時存檔系統自由掌控進度。此外，《Earnest Evans》同時收錄 CD 與卡帶版本，兩者在劇情上存在差異，提供更完整的收藏價值。

整體而言，《埃文斯之鞭合輯》不僅是對 90 年代經典動作遊戲的重現，更是一段融合動畫敘事、音樂魅力與超自然題材的懷舊之旅，讓新舊玩家都能重新體驗那個充滿創意與實驗精神的遊戲年代。

Earnest Evans Collection is a retro action game compilation released on PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch, bringing together three classic titles from the early 1990s: Earnest Evans, El Viento, and Anett Returns. Developed by Wolf Team—a studio that would later evolve into Namco Tales Studio under Bandai Namco Entertainment—this collection revives a trilogy that blends action gameplay with supernatural storytelling.

Set against a backdrop of occult intrigue and historical fiction, the trilogy revolves around the adventurer Earnest Evans and the young priestess Annet as they attempt to stop the infamous gangster Al Capone from unleashing ancient evil forces. The narrative spans multiple entries, gradually escalating toward a climactic battle against the resurrection of the Dark Lord Hastur.

In Earnest Evans, the story begins with a mission commissioned by Calvin Coolidge, tasking Evans with locating the legendary grimoire known as the Necronomicon. However, Capone seeks the same artifact for his own sinister purposes—to revive Hastur and dominate Europe. With the help of Annet, Evans sets out to stop this plan before it unfolds.

El Viento takes place several years later, shifting the focus more toward Annet. As a descendant tied to Hastur’s bloodline, she becomes the key to Capone’s renewed resurrection scheme, now aided by a sorceress named Restiana. With Evans supporting her, Annet embarks on a dangerous journey to prevent the ritual and uncover the truth behind her origins.

The trilogy concludes with Annet Returns, where Annet travels across Europe to confront a new threat: Siegfried Munchausen and the sinister NeXesis Party. This final chapter raises the stakes, bringing the overarching conflict to its dramatic conclusion.

One of the defining features of the collection is its presentation. Both Earnest Evans and Annet Returns include animated cutscenes produced by Madhouse, the renowned studio behind works like Trigun and Cardcaptor Sakura. The music is composed by Motoi Sakuraba, whose portfolio includes major titles such as Star Ocean and Tales of Phantasia, lending the games a distinctive and memorable soundtrack.

In addition to faithfully preserving the original experiences, the collection enhances accessibility with modern quality-of-life features. Players can rewind gameplay at any time to correct mistakes, save progress anywhere through the in-game menu, and experience both the CD and cartridge versions of Earnest Evans, which feature notable differences in story content.

Originally released on Sega platforms in the 1990s, these titles have now been updated for modern hardware, allowing a new generation of players to experience their unique blend of fast-paced action, anime-style storytelling, and occult-themed narratives. Overall, Earnest Evans Collection serves not only as a nostalgic revival but also as a showcase of the creative experimentation that defined its era.