Beyond Good & Evil Review

Overview

Released in November 2003 by Ubisoft, Beyond Good & Evil represents legendary designer Michel Ancel's ambitious vision for a new kind of action adventure game. Developed by Ubisoft Montpellier, the game emerged during a particularly creative period for the original Xbox, when developers were pushing boundaries with unique concepts. As a third person action adventure game, it combines elements of traditional adventure games with stealth, combat, photography, and vehicle based exploration. While it may have underperformed commercially at release, it has since been recognized as one of the most innovative and beloved games of its generation, inspiring a dedicated fanbase that has spent years anticipating its long promised sequel.

Graphics and Presentation

Beyond Good & Evil makes excellent use of the Xbox hardware, delivering a visually distinct world that emphasizes artistic design over pure technical prowess. The planet Hillys is realized through a unique aesthetic that blends science fiction elements with European coastal architecture, creating environments that feel both alien and strangely familiar. Character designs are particularly noteworthy, with protagonist Jade and the diverse supporting cast expressing personality through detailed animations and expressive faces despite the technical limitations of the era.

The game maintains a solid frame rate throughout most sequences, though some of the more intense combat scenarios can cause occasional stuttering. Running at 480p on the original Xbox, the game's art direction helps it hold up better than many of its contemporaries. Environmental designs are particularly impressive, from the neon lit streets of the city to the organic architecture of alien structures.

Menu interfaces are clean and intuitive, with the photography system in particular featuring a well designed viewfinder that makes framing and capturing images feel natural. Cutscenes blend seamlessly with gameplay, maintaining a consistent visual style that keeps players immersed in the world. The game's lighting system deserves special mention, with the way it handles both natural and artificial light sources creating dramatic atmosphere throughout.

Sound and Music

The audio experience in Beyond Good & Evil is exceptional, anchored by a diverse and emotionally resonant soundtrack. The score, composed by Christophe Héral, seamlessly blends world music influences with orchestral elements and electronic touches. Each area of Hillys features distinct musical themes that enhance the atmosphere, from the peaceful strings of the lighthouse home to the tense percussion during stealth sequences. The implementation of dynamic music during gameplay is particularly impressive, with smooth transitions between exploration and combat themes.

Voice acting is consistently strong throughout, with Jodie Forrest's performance as Jade standing out for its authentic emotion and range. Supporting characters are equally well portrayed, avoiding common science fiction stereotypes in favour of nuanced delivery. Sound effects work is detailed and spatial, from the distinctive whir of Jade's camera to the ambient sounds of the bustling city. The audio mixing prioritizes important gameplay cues while maintaining the immersive atmosphere, though some dialogue can be difficult to hear during busy action sequences.

Gameplay Mechanics

At its core, Beyond Good & Evil is built around a versatile gameplay loop that combines exploration, combat, stealth, and photography. The photography mechanic serves both narrative and gameplay purposes, with Jade documenting evidence of conspiracy while also cataloguing the diverse wildlife of Hillys for scientific research and currency. Combat utilizes a straightforward but effective system centered around Jade's staff weapon, with dodging and counter attacks adding tactical depth. The control scheme is intuitive, making it easy to transition between different gameplay styles.

Vehicle sections provide a change of pace, with hovercraft navigation and combat adding variety to the experience. While the controls can take some adjustment, they ultimately feel satisfying once mastered. The stealth mechanics, while not as deep as dedicated stealth games, provide tense moments as Jade infiltrates hostile facilities. The game's puzzle design strikes a good balance between challenge and accessibility, often incorporating multiple mechanics in clever ways.

Progression is primarily driven by story advancement and collecting evidence, with ability upgrades and vehicle improvements providing additional motivation for exploration. The level design excels at creating spaces that feel both natural and gameplay appropriate, with multiple paths often available for achieving objectives. The game's pacing alternates between relaxed exploration and intense action sequences, maintaining engagement throughout the adventure.

Story and Setting

The narrative follows Jade, a photojournalist and martial artist who becomes embroiled in a planet wide conspiracy. While protecting orphans at her lighthouse home, she uncovers evidence that the planet's military defenders might not be what they seem. The story tackles themes of media manipulation, government corruption, and the importance of truth seeking, all while maintaining a sense of optimism and humour. Character relationships form the emotional core of the story, particularly the bond between Jade and her pig uncle Pey'j.

The world building is exceptional, creating a unique science fiction setting that feels lived in and culturally rich. The planet Hillys and its inhabitants are well realized through environmental storytelling and natural dialogue. The plot maintains a steady pace, with each new revelation driving the story forward while expanding the scope of the conspiracy. The writing successfully balances serious themes with moments of levity, creating a tone that remains engaging throughout.

Content and Value

The main campaign can be completed in roughly 12 hours, though thoroughly documenting all species and finding all secrets can extend playtime to 15-20 hours. While relatively short by modern standards, the game's pacing ensures that every moment feels meaningful. Side activities include photography challenges, hovercraft races, and minigames at the local bar. The game features no traditional multiplayer modes, focusing entirely on delivering a polished single player experience.

At its current preowned price point of £14.99, Beyond Good & Evil represents excellent value for Xbox collectors and retro gaming enthusiasts. The variety of gameplay elements and compelling story provide strong motivation for replay, particularly for players interested in discovering all of the game's secrets and hidden content. While additional modes or multiplayer features might have added more content, the focused single player experience remains satisfying.

Technical Performance

Loading times on the original Xbox are generally brief, with most area transitions completing in 10-15 seconds. The game employs clever design techniques to mask loading when possible, such as using elevator rides and airlocks as natural transition points. The save system is generous, with frequent autosaves complemented by manual save points at key locations. This helps mitigate any frustration from the occasional challenging sequence.

In terms of stability, Beyond Good & Evil is a remarkably polished experience. During testing, no major bugs or crashes were encountered. Minor visual glitches occasionally appear during complex scenes, but these never impact gameplay significantly. The game's performance remains consistent throughout, with only rare frame rate dips during particularly chaotic moments.

The Verdict

Beyond Good & Evil stands as one of the most unique and compelling games in the original Xbox library. While its commercial performance may not have matched its ambition, the game succeeds in delivering an unforgettable adventure that combines excellent storytelling with diverse, well executed gameplay mechanics. Despite some minor combat and camera issues, the overall package remains impressive even by today's standards, demonstrating how strong art direction and thoughtful design can transcend technical limitations.

Pros

• Engaging story with memorable characters
• Unique blend of gameplay mechanics
• Outstanding soundtrack and voice acting
• Strong art direction that ages well

Cons

• Relatively short main campaign
• Some dated combat mechanics
• Occasional camera issues
• Vehicle controls have learning curve

Final Score: 9/10

Beyond Good & Evil is a masterpiece of game design that showcases what's possible when creativity and execution align perfectly. While not without minor flaws, it remains an essential play for anyone interested in experiencing one of gaming's most unique adventures.

By OGXbox Archive