Summary
Beyond Good & Evil – 20th Anniversary Edition is a tribute to the enduring appeal of a game that has left a significant mark on the action-adventure genre. While the remastered 4K graphics may not be as striking due to the game’s unique art style, the improved performance at 60FPS is a welcome enhancement. Coupled with a captivating story and thoughtful new additions like the speedrun mode, updated achievements, and the anniversary gallery, this edition is a fitting tribute to a beloved classic.
Developer – Ubisoft
Publisher – Ubisoft
Platforms – Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X, PS4/5, Amazon Luna, PC (Reviewed)
Review copy given by Publisher
It’s hard to believe that two decades have passed since the original release of Beyond Good & Evil, a game that captivated players with its unique blend of action-adventure gameplay, compelling narrative, and striking visual style. To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Ubisoft has released a remastered edition, bringing Jade’s journey into the modern era with updated graphics and new features. However, this anniversary edition may not be the visual overhaul some might expect.
One of the standout features of the Beyond Good & Evil – 20th Anniversary Edition is its remastered 4K graphics. However, fans of the original will quickly notice that the game’s distinctive art style, which leans heavily on a cartoonish aesthetic, somewhat diminishes the impact of the higher resolution. While the textures are indeed crisper, the art direction means that the leap to 4K isn’t as pronounced as it might be in other remasters. Instead, the most noticeable improvement is the smooth and consistent 60 frames per second (FPS) performance, which significantly enhances the overall gameplay experience, making movements and actions feel more fluid and responsive.
The core of Beyond Good & Evil remains its deeply engaging story and well-crafted world, which if you haven’t played the game before I’m about to spoil it for you so be aware:
To Recap the story , Beyond Good and Evil, is set in the year 2435 on the mining planet of Hillys, which is under constant attack by a mysterious alien race called the DomZ. The story follows Jade, a photojournalist, and her journey to uncover the truth behind these attacks.
Jade lives in a lighthouse with her uncle Pey’j, a boar-like mechanic, and a group of orphans she cares for. The lighthouse is soon attacked by the DomZ, leading to a battle in which Jade’s latent energy abilities are revealed. They are saved by the Alpha Sections, a military force supposedly protecting Hillys from the DomZ.
However, Jade and Pey’j are soon recruited by the IRIS Network, an underground resistance movement determined to expose the truth about the DomZ and their collaboration with the Alpha Sections. Jade becomes an IRIS operative and is tasked with gathering photographic evidence to expose the conspiracy.
Throughout her journey, Jade explores various locations, including the Black Isle, the NutriPills Factory, and the Slaughterhouse, all while gathering evidence of the DomZ and Alpha Sections’ collaboration. She discovers that the Alpha Sections are not protecting the citizens but are instead working with the DomZ to harvest human and animal life energy.
During one of her missions, Pey’j is kidnapped by the DomZ. Jade’s resolve to uncover the truth and save her uncle intensifies. She continues to gather evidence, exposing more of the horrifying truth behind the DomZ and Alpha Sections.
Jade eventually infiltrates the DomZ headquarters, where she confronts the DomZ High Priest. It is revealed that Jade herself is a key part of the DomZ’s plan, possessing a unique energy that the DomZ need. Jade’s latent powers fully awaken during the confrontation, and she uses them to defeat the DomZ High Priest.
After defeating the DomZ High Priest, Jade frees Pey’j and the other captives. The truth about the Alpha Sections’ conspiracy is broadcast to the people of Hillys, leading to a rebellion against the corrupt regime. The game ends with a sense of hope and liberation, but with a hint of mystery regarding Jade’s true nature and her future.
The 20th Anniversary Edition brings several new features that add value for both newcomers and long-time fans. Among these is a brand-new speedrun mode, catering to the competitive community by allowing players to race through the game with a focus on optimizing routes and completing objectives as quickly as possible. In addition to the speedrun mode, updated achievements provide new goals and rewards for completionists. These additions give players more reasons to explore every nook and cranny of Hillys, uncovering hidden secrets and mastering the game’s mechanics.
The game also now offers new quality-of-life features including autosave, cross-save, and cutscene-skip, aswell as another highlight, which is the exclusive anniversary gallery, a special feature that offers a nostalgic look back at the game’s development. It includes concept art, behind-the-scenes photos, and developer commentary, making it a treasure trove for fans who want to delve deeper into the creation and legacy of Beyond Good & Evil.
Beyond Good & Evil – 20th Anniversary Edition is a tribute to the enduring appeal of a game that has left a significant mark on the action-adventure genre. While the remastered 4K graphics may not be as striking due to the game’s unique art style, the improved performance at 60FPS is a welcome enhancement. Coupled with a captivating story and thoughtful new additions like the speedrun mode, updated achievements, and the anniversary gallery, this edition is a fitting tribute to a beloved classic.
