Despite having several opportunities, I have never played the original Beyond Good and Evil. There are probably more than a few gamers that can make that statement, and it’s more than likely one of the reasons why the game failed commercially while being lauded as excellent by the gaming press. For once, we should have listened. Fortunately for all of us that missed out, we all have a second chance to discover the game, and in HD to boot. So let’s take a look at what we missed.
Beyond Good and Evil HD is a third person action adventure game that features stealth, photography, puzzle, and racing elements. The player assumes the role of journalist and martial artist Jade who is drawn into a resistance movement when her world is attacked by an alien species who may be in league with the so-called protectors of her planet. Jade is a well rounded heroine, who can fight, sneak, snap reconnaissance pictures with her camera, and solve a multitude of different puzzles. She’s also joined in her adventure by some incredibly colorful characters such as her pig-like uncle Pey’j and the comically scrambled agent Double H. Add in an eclectic soundtrack and delightful graphics, and you have one hell of a game.
I really miss the type of gameplay that Beyond Good and Evil has to offer. There are no press X to not die quicktime events, and cut scenes are mostly limited to character conversations. All of the action is played, not watched and it’s an absolutely rip-roaring good time. The surprise chase segments, which were some of my favorite parts of the game, were heart pounding, and the stealth portions had me anxiously gripping my controller. The pacing of the game is also very cinematic in quality building and easing tension at just the right moments to intensify both drama and humor alike.
The cinematic qualities of Beyond Good and Evil HD don’t end at gameplay, and pacing. The game world has a very carefully crafted and unified aesthetic. Besides being upgraded to a very nice looking HD, the graphics are interesting and immersive. From the creatures to the locations, everything feels like it belongs. The sounds and music also feature heavily into the overall aesthetic. The character voices which can sometimes be slightly over the top are charming, funny, and dramatic, and the music is delightfully upbeat in some areas while tactfully sparse in others.
As good as Beyond Good and Evil HD is, it’s not without its problems which I suspect are mostly leftovers from the original version. There are a few bugs that I found throughout the game such as one where making the wrong move causes Jade to fall through the floor and become trapped in nothingness. Unfortunately the only thing to do at that point is to reset the game, so saving as often as possible is always recommended. My biggest gripe though with Beyond Good and Evil is the camera. It’s doesn’t happen often, but occasionally the camera becomes unwieldy or changes perspective in the middle of a tense moment, or combat section. It’s not game breaking, but it is annoying, and it can break the sense of immersion that the developers worked so carefully to build.
Despite a few minor problems Beyond Good and Evil HD is a terrifically fun game that seamlessly hops genres, is wonderful to look at and listen to, and is an excellent bang for your buck. It’s got everything most gamers crave, with trophy support and online leaderboards as a plus. If you missed Beyond Good and Evil the first go round like me, then this is your second chance to discover this gem, and no matter what type of player you are I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
