Platforms: PS (tested), Xbox, PC, Switch Age: 12+ Verdict: ★★★★★ Beyond Good & Evil: Featuring Jade (centre) and Pey'j (left) Now THIS is how you create a remaster. A masterful remaster even. Let’s put aside the unfortunate inaccuracy that the 20th anniversary of this 2003 cult classic was actually last year and instead heap praise on Ubisoft for its respectful treatment of a game more talked about than played.
Designed by Michel Ancel, who also brought us the offbeat Rayman games, Beyond Good & Evil didn’t sell particularly well on its release in the early PS2 era but it set a standard for action-adventures that was rarely bettered that generation. A slick amalgam of genres, it mixed varied gameplay (combat, stealth, driving and platforming) with a strong storyline, agreeable voice acting and compelling characters. It was pleasantly weird too, putting you in the shoes of photojournalist Jade – who also runs an orphanage (no, really!) – and teaming you with a guy call Pey’j who can only be described as a pig.
Because Pey’j is an actual pig – or maybe a boar, who knows? And that’s even before the aliens arrive to mess with your world. The acid test of a well-regarded but ageing classic comes down to whether the gameplay still holds up. Many straight re-releases and remasters can show off how influential they were but just aren’t enjoyable when you spend extended time in their company.
This 20th-anniversary edition of Beyond Good & Evil dodges that t.
