Game Review: Beyond Good & Evil – 20th Anniversary Edition (Xbox Series X)

Originally released in 2003, Beyond Good & Evil’s exciting story, strong characters, clever mix of gameplay, and excellent soundtrack captured the imagination of many gamers upon release, this one included. My first experience coming via the GameCube and I still consider it one of the best games released on that platform.

I, like many others have eagerly awaited the long-awaited sequel/prequel (which was finally announced in 2017) and loved the HD remaster that was released in 2011. Yet, as much as I profess to love Beyond Good & Evil, this latest re-release has left me a little cold. There’s no ignoring the simple fact that the original game is started to look and feel really dated, regardless of its graphical updates.

Before I get into the meat of what this 20th Anniversary Edition offers though, let’s just recap Beyond Good & Evil as there may be plenty of players finally experiencing it for the first time.

Player’s step into the shoes of Jade who runs an orphanage in a world called Hillys amongst anthropomorphic animals, including her uncle Pey’J, who’s a pig-man, for want of a better term. Hillys is at war with an evil alien race known as the DomZ and is constantly under attack. The military, the Alpha Sections, are very ineffective against the threat. Even if they are able to convince large swathes of the population that they are a force for good.

Not everyone thinks that though, in particular the IRIS Network, an underground revolutionary group who believe the Alpha Sections are in league with the DomZ. Through a series of events, Jade ends up being recruited by the IRIS Network and tasked with revealing the truth to Hillys, whatever it might be.

Players are given a certain amount of freedom to explore a handful of locations around Hillys, entering dungeons, solving puzzles, fighting enemies with her staff (the worst part of the game), taking part in hovercraft races, working with a teammate (Pey’J or the IRIS agent Double H), collecting pearls for upgrades, and photographing the wildlife. There’s plenty to do in Beyond Good & Evil and completionists will have to trawl every inch of Hillys to unlock everything.

It’s worth it though as it’s the extra content that gives Beyond Good & Evil its longevity. It’s main story, especially for returning players, can be wrapped up in a handful of hours. However, go off the beaten path trying to find all the pearls and animals, and you can triple that time.

All of this was present in the original game and the HD remaster though, so, why bother with this 20th Anniversary Edition?

It’s hard to argue that anyone outside of a superfan should as while there are some substantial additions, they don’t amount to a lot. Some, like the graphical upgrade and reworked soundtrack are barely noticeable, while the control improvements are extremely welcome. Although I would still love to have the Gyrodisk Glove separate to the camera.

Elsewhere, new in-game cosmetics and a brand-new treasure hunt quest are cool, new character biographies add more substance to the cast, and there’s a brand-new ending which is in place to connect this game to Beyond Good & Evil 2. The most substantial inclusion though? A museum that includes a ton of detail about the game’s creation. From conception to final release, and everything in between. It is insanely comprehensive.

Finally, for those who want to play the game again, but strive for a different take on the experience, there’s a new mode. Don’t get too excited though, it’s a ‘speed run’ mode. A new challenge, for sure, but not likely to add much longevity to this version of Beyond Good & Evil.

Here’s the thing, the original game and all its quirks make this 20th Anniversary Edition a worthy addition to anyone’s gaming catalogue. Yes, it is dated and its flaws are still as prominent as ever, but the level of charm, the fun it offers, the excitement it brings, still outweighs any and all negatives. So, getting to play it again, but with some new stuff (minor as most of it is) is welcome. Enjoy a return to Hillys, hopefully we’re playing the prequel before the 30th Anniversary Edition of this game is released.