Beyond Good & Evil Review: 20th Anniversary Edition (Switch eShop)

Considering the continuous long-term development of and the subsequent backlash from the diehard fans that Ubisoft has brought upon itself over the years, it’s easy to forget just how good the original game was. Originally released on the PS2, Xbox, and GameCube in late 2003, Beyond Good and Evil was one of the most unique adventure games of its time, introducing a world that Nintendo itself was proud to call its own.

This 20th Anniversary Edition The remaster updates the experience with improved visuals, (sort of) improved performance, quality-of-life upgrades, and more. But is it as fun now as it was two decades ago? Well, thankfully the answer is a resounding “yes”: Ubisoft’s rerelease is easily the best way to experience Jade and Pey’j’s epic journey on Nintendo hardware, but it’s not without its fair share of problems.

Speaking of the visuals to start, Ubisoft has done a great job upgrading Beyond Good & Evil without losing any of the charm of the original. Real-time lighting has been implemented, giving both the environments and cast of characters a whole new lease of life, while some models have been updated to look a bit, um… better. This is perhaps most obvious with Jade’s uncle and companion, Pey’j, whose eyes are a bit larger and more active than what we’re used to seeing in the original. However, in general, the game is definitely boasting one ‘This is what you miss looks like old times’ vibe; it’s familiar yet new.

We were concerned that the upscaled visuals might lead to some performance issues, but the game maintained a solid 30fps. This occasionally dropped when dealing with certain effects like explosions or heavy water flow, but it was minor enough that it never got in the way of our enjoyment. Now, it’s worth noting that other versions of the game on PS5, Xbox, and Steam run at 60fps, and even the 360 ​​version of Beyond Good and Evil HD It runs a lot smoother on the Series X thanks to Xbox’s FPS Boost feature (though there are no visual improvements seen here). It’s a tough pill to swallow, but in isolation, 30fps is more than enough.

The game’s soundtrack has received similar care and attention. Over 15 tracks have been completely re-recorded under the supervision of original composer Christophe Héral. Most of it sounds familiar, and you’d be forgiven for thinking nothing has changed if you haven’t played the GameCube version in a while, but it does help modernize the sound nicely.

The real joy of Beyond Good & Evil, however, lies in its gameplay. Yes, many aspects have actually aged quite well over 20 years: the combat feels a bit stilted, the camera can often be frustrating, and some of the UI feels like it could benefit from a little TLC. The problem, though, is that there’s so much variety on offer that playing it never feels like a chore. One moment you’re fighting off a swarm of giant bugs, the next you’re taking a photo of a curious-looking bird in the middle of town before hopping into your hovercraft for a race.

Progression is largely linear in that you simply follow the story and go to designated locations. Exploration is still encouraged, however, as you’ll need to complete quests to earn pearls. These pearls can then be used at the Mammago Garage (which has some updated music, by the way) to upgrade the hovercraft; an effort that’s often required if you want to get to certain locations. The pacing is really exceptional, and it never feels like any gameplay mechanic has outstayed its welcome.

In addition to the main game, the 20th Anniversary Edition also adds some exciting bonus features. You get a new speedrun mode that will allow for a significant lifespan extension, along with new outfits for both Jade and Pey’j. Finally, the comprehensive gallery section delves into the game’s production process and includes both still images and video. What’s great is that each section is enhanced with contextual information, guiding you through each section and its relationship to the main game. It’s not on par with, say, Atari 50But it was obviously done very carefully.

Ultimately, it would be easy to dismiss Beyond Good & Evil as a ‘jack of all trades’, but truth be told, its shooting, melee, racing, decoding, and world exploration mechanics are all superbly executed, resulting in an experience that’s truly unlike any other. There’s no doubt that the game has aged considerably in many respects, but just like the GameCube Zelda: The Wind WakerThe pros far outweigh the cons, and with such a reasonable price, we have no hesitation in recommending this product to both new and returning players.

Conclusion

Nintendo has received criticism for the price of its recent Switch remakes, so seeing Ubisoft’s Beyond Good & Evil lovingly restored at a reasonable price is a real joy. The 20th Anniversary Edition boasts some lovely picture and sound upgrades, a great gallery feature and a host of meaningful extras that make this journey back to Hillys worth it. price. Admittedly, 30fps performance on the Switch is a bit poor compared to other platforms, and there’s no denying that the experience has aged considerably in some aspects, but the gameplay is varied and the world is unique, so You will regret it if you don’t try it at least once. Welcome back, ‘Yade’.