Beyond Good & Evil

"Beyond Good and Evil: a winner"

Introduction: Beyond Good and Evil is a remarkable game that was unfortunately doomed to obscurity for reasons that remain a mystery to me. I first encountered this game at a friend's house on his Game Cube, and then quickly purchased a copy for my XBox at home. The game is nearly flawless, and is simply the best action/adventure game that I have played to-date.

Gameplay: What I like most about the game is that it is easy to control. Too many games these days are very complex, demanding of their players intricate and meticulous button pressing maneuvers. Too often in these sorts of games, I get frustrated because I simply cannot execute the desired actions due to my own lack of manual dexterity. Thankfully, Beyond Good and Evil is simple in a manner that allows the game to be fun, but not so simple that it becomes trivial. A single button performs all attacks. One button is dedicated for photography. One button is for using items, etc. All combat maneuvers are either context sensitive or randomly determined - either way, you won't be having to do quarter circles or crazy button combos. The in-game camera is intelligent. Whereas so many games of this type suffer from an unforgiving camera that plants itself firmly into the ground, or the ceiling, or a wall right when the action reaches peak intensity, it will never happen in BG&E. The camera is usually fully rotatable, and when it is not, there is either nothing happening, or the best possible angle is provided. Puzzles are neither too hard nor too easy, and they range from simply finding ways to evade guards to finding ways to break into buildings, reroute power, and fix machinery. Some puzzles require you to be in a vehicle to solve, forcing you to use wits and skill to make your vehicle do what it has to do. In addition to running, evading, and fighting, there are plenty of other game modes, including hovercraft racing, hovercraft combat, and a special surprise battle toward the end - think Star Wars! And wait until you see the incredible cinematic heart-pounding action sequences (yes, you have to PLAY them) inspired by a very popular recent movie series!

Story: The story, characters, and world of BG&E are phenomenal. The first thing that struck me was the opening scene of the main character, Jade, sitting with her friend atop a rock, meditating, as flute music with a strong Chinese flavour played in the background. Jade herself appears Asian, and her name, a reference to the traditional Chinese stone of royalty and Heaven, is, in fact, foreshadowing events to come (I haven't spoiled anything, don't worry, but if you don't want any real hints, don't look up the Chinese mythology of jade). These subtle minutiae help to build a richly detailed world with well-developed characters who not only have histories (though you might not know them), but also personalities, within a world with an atmosphere that is distinctly its own. Pey'J, your best friend, is one of the most realistic characters in the game, with voice acting that is extremely well-done - comical yet not tasteless, and despite the fact that he is a bipedal talking pig, there isn't a single thing about him that seems out of place. Shortly into the game, you will have a vested interest in the lives of the main characters, and suddenly Jade's quest becomes so much more urgent and exciting, because you understand as she understands why the quest is being done. The manner in which the writers of the story have been able to uncannily put players in the shoes - and minds - of the characters is the most moving and rewarding aspects of the game.

Graphics/Sound: The graphics of BG&E are wonderful and well-suited to the world which has been created. Nothing is overdone, and little details, whether relevant to the actual gameplay or not, enhance the mood and flavour of any scene, from the tranquil meditative opening on a grassy hill overlooking the ocean to the harsh, bright, violent metallic constructs of military complexes. There are things to see everywhere: phosphorescent plants, symbols, signs, people, animals - as a photographer your job will be to locate some of these sights and keep a record of them! The beautiful graphics are coupled with exquisite music and sound effects that enrich the mood and atmosphere of each scene. None of the music is noticeable monotonous or repetitive, and the effects are realistic and meaningful. As you try to outwit guards, you'll notice their speech does get repetitive, but you're usually thinking so hard during these scenes that you will quickly dismiss the chatter as background noise.

Play Time/Replayability: The only reason I did not give this game a 10 is its length. The game is short. In fact, most of the time you spend playing it will be redoing certain areas, trying to find a way to move about without being killed (thankfully, the game has many checkpoints and save stations so that you never have to redo too much). If you were to be able to do everything on your first try, this game could in theory be played in two or three sittings (depending on how hardcore you are). Thankfully, there is a searching element to this game. Mini-games like pearl collecting (which is integral to the plot) and photography (which is not, but does make the game easier since you are paid for your work) provide opportunities to explore the world and search for hard to find locations. Special unlockable rewards are offered for people who finish these mini-quests, so there is inherent replayability for those who wish to collect everything. I would play the game again simply to experience the world once more, but, hey, that's me.

Final Recommendation - For a low price (and it's cheap now) this is definitely a game to own! Talented gamers can get through the game in one rental, probably. Wonderful characters, world development, dialogue, and multiple modes of gameplay, combined with beautiful graphics, great music, and intelligent cultural references, create a game that is rich in all aspects and is entertaining and moving. I would say, definitely play it and finish it.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 06/15/04