Beyond Good & Evil 20th Anniversary Edition

74%
Game Brain Score Based on 408 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • music
Beyond Good & Evil 20th Anniversary Edition Game Cover
Starting at €15.99Buy now
Get on Steam Get on Epic Games Store

Beyond Good & Evil - 20th Anniversary Edition is a remastered version of the classic action-adventure game. Join Jade, a reporter, and her allies as they investigate alien attacks and explore the world of Hillys. This edition offers new rewards, a treasure hunt, speedrun mode, and an anniversary gallery, allowing players to experience the game in up to 4K 60 fps.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

74%
Audience ScoreBased on 408 reviews
story positive mentions
optimization negative mentions
  • The remaster features improved graphics and sound, making the game visually stunning while retaining its original charm.
  • The addition of new content, including a treasure hunt and behind-the-scenes gallery, enhances the experience for both new and returning players.
  • The game runs smoothly on modern systems, including the Steam Deck, providing a nostalgic yet fresh experience.
  • The requirement to use Ubisoft Connect is frustrating and adds unnecessary complexity, including issues with account authentication.
  • There are reports of crashes, particularly on AMD hardware, which significantly detracts from the gameplay experience.
  • The absence of Steam achievements and the presence of Denuvo DRM are disappointing, especially for a remaster of a beloved classic.
  • story96 mentions

    The story of the remastered game is generally praised for its compelling narrative, memorable characters, and engaging world-building, though some reviewers note that it can feel predictable and lacks depth in certain areas. Many appreciate the added quests that tie into a potential sequel, enhancing the lore and character backstories, while others express disappointment over unresolved plot elements and the brevity of the overall experience. Overall, the narrative is seen as a strong point of the game, evoking nostalgia and excitement for future installments.

    • “The story remains as captivating as ever.”
    • “I played this game countless times and I consider it a gem for many reasons: cool setting, interesting and well-developed characters, a compelling story, an incredible mood, many different things to do, secrets... it's always a pleasure to get back to Hyllis.”
    • “Excellent music and gameplay, paired with an intriguing story and lovable characters.”
    • “The whole story hints at a mystery about Jade and a power within her, or another life/name, but even to the very end of the story, you still have no clue about 'Shaunni' or the power within her after playing through the whole game.”
    • “For an adventure game with so much lore and mystery around it, it's not long enough to get the full story that they are trying to tell, and you spend too much time sneaking past guards rather than having more places to explore and people to interact with.”
    • “And even without any of that poor judgment in presentation, the whole story is cliché, predictable, littered with plot holes, and charmlessly amateurish.”
  • graphics90 mentions

    The remastered graphics have received mixed reviews, with many praising the enhancements that maintain the original art style while improving detail and overall visual quality. However, some players noted that certain updates feel slightly off or clash with the original aesthetic, and there are occasional graphical glitches. Overall, the remaster is seen as a significant improvement, though some aspects may still feel dated compared to modern standards.

    • “The graphics are a massive improvement!”
    • “The game's unique art style pops like never before, and the music...oh, the music!”
    • “Positives: the graphical improvements in every instance are very good and keep the art style of the game intact while improving the general quality of the models.”
    • “All in all, despite the polish I find the image quality distinctly lower and the visuals less readable than the original.”
    • “The additions in this release are minimal, and while the HD textures are a welcome update, they can occasionally clash with the original art style.”
    • “Graphics upgrades aren't even that noticeable, only slight tweaks here and there.”
  • music69 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising the remastered and reorchestrated soundtrack for its higher fidelity and emotional impact, while others feel it lacks the energy and charm of the original tracks. Some players noted technical issues, such as music cutting out or not playing in certain areas, which detracted from the overall experience. Despite these criticisms, the soundtrack remains a highlight for many, contributing significantly to the game's atmosphere and nostalgia.

    • “The soundtrack is beautiful, calming, and catchy; the animation is beautiful with a charming style, the characters are fun and well-developed with great designs.”
    • “The music in both the original and this version is amazing and it really helps give the game a brilliant atmosphere.”
    • “Hearing the orchestrated soundtrack almost made me cry; this is my favorite game and it's so nice to see it get the love it deserves.”
    • “They've re-created the entirety of the soundtrack and while this absolutely is higher fidelity (take it from an audio engineer and musician), a lot of the tracks lack the same energy of the original.”
    • “For example, there are out-of-place sound effects, certain sounds are way too loud, and occasionally the incorrect background music is playing - ruining the general atmosphere.”
    • “The orchestrated soundtrack is personally a weaker version of the original.”
  • gameplay46 mentions

    The gameplay of the remastered version of "Beyond Good & Evil" retains the core mechanics of the original, featuring a mix of third-person action, stealth, and puzzle-solving elements, though it lacks depth and challenge compared to modern standards. While some players appreciate the nostalgic feel and improved graphics, others have reported technical issues such as crashes and stuttering, which detract from the overall experience. Overall, the gameplay is seen as enjoyable but somewhat outdated, appealing primarily to fans of the original game rather than new players seeking complexity.

    • “But for those new to Beyond Good & Evil, it's a third-person action-adventure game with some stealth and combat mechanics; you play as Jade, a photojournalist living on a planet that has been at war with an alien force for years.”
    • “The gameplay elements are really well balanced, there are some fun side activities and the game is finished before you'll get the chance to grow tired of them (10-12 hours for one playthrough).”
    • “The world is beautiful and unique, the gameplay is polished and varied, and the story is top notch.”
    • “Crashes so much during gameplay and cutscenes.”
    • “Though it's not really outstanding gameplay-wise; neither the combat and stealth, nor the puzzles or platforming are that deep or provide a real challenge for the player.”
    • “If you play for the first time in 2024, you shouldn't expect depth of game mechanics from BG&E, because it is, for the most part, a children's game.”
  • optimization30 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing smooth performance and no issues, particularly on devices like the Steam Deck, while others report significant problems such as crashes, stuttering, and poor frame rates, often attributed to DRM and the game's 60 fps cap. Many users express frustration over the inconsistent performance across different hardware setups, indicating a need for further optimization. Overall, while some players enjoy a stable experience, a substantial number recommend waiting for fixes before purchasing.

    • “Being able to go from the PC to my Steam Deck and not having the performance take any noticeable difference also made the game a lot of fun to play.”
    • “Very good performance even on mobile Intel Arc.”
    • “Ubisoft did a great job making the remaster feel as close as it did 20 years ago while delivering the best possible performance.”
    • “The game was and still is a fantastic game, but very poor performance means it crashes. It is mind-blowing how a big and well-known game company like Ubisoft could allow this to be released before proper testing. You also have to log into Ubisoft every time you want to play, which is just a waste of time.”
    • “If you decide to get this game, be aware that you will likely experience crashes, stuttering, poor frame rates, and other issues.”
    • “Do not buy this game until it is fixed or somewhat optimized.”
  • stability18 mentions

    The game's stability has received mixed feedback, with some players encountering minor glitches and visual issues, while others report significant problems, such as being unable to progress past the loading screen. Although many appreciate the overall performance and graphics, there are concerns about the game's current state, suggesting that new players might want to wait for patches to address the bugs. Overall, while some users experience smooth gameplay, others find it frustratingly unstable, particularly on certain platforms.

    • “Not to mention the game runs great and everything feels just right.”
    • “This version also runs great with no issues (for me), even on Steam Deck.”
    • “Remastered assets are top-notch and run great on Steam Deck.”
    • “But as I try to launch it after playing for about 12 hours, I am now unable to get past the initial loading screen, and after even more hours of personal troubleshooting, I cannot play the game.”
    • “Love the original game, but I have to admit that it's currently broken on the ROG Ally; it only plays part of the intro up until Jade is meditating, then the game freezes and crashes.”
    • “I truly love this game and waited decades for it to become available, but new players should beware and wait for all the glitches to be patched before trying this game out.”
  • emotional13 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its heartwarming journey filled with nostalgia, touching moments, and impactful music that resonates deeply with players. While some character expressions have been criticized for lacking depth, the overall experience evokes strong feelings, particularly through scenes of care and tribute, making players feel a profound connection to the characters and the game's legacy. The anniversary edition successfully rekindles the emotional investment many players had in the original, showcasing the developers' passion and dedication.

    • “This takes you on a heartwarming, adventurous journey full of nostalgia.”
    • “It's filled with emotional depth, thought-provoking themes, and heartwarming moments.”
    • “Hearing the orchestrated soundtrack almost made me cry; this is my favorite game and it's so nice to see it get the love it deserves.”
  • atmosphere8 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is generally praised for its magical and immersive qualities, enhanced by a fantastic soundtrack that complements the story and characters. However, some users noted issues with sound effects and background music that can disrupt the overall experience. Despite these flaws, the game's unique atmosphere and engaging narrative continue to resonate with players, making it a beloved classic.

    • “I remember loving the game, the story, the characters, the tone, the atmosphere, and it's all still here.”
    • “The music in both the original and this version is amazing and it really helps give the game a brilliant atmosphere.”
    • “It's still a great adventure with a magical atmosphere, exciting story, memorable characters, and great music.”
    • “For example, there are out-of-place sound effects; certain sounds are way too loud, and occasionally the incorrect background music is playing, ruining the general atmosphere.”
    • “I remember loving the game, the story, the characters, the tone, the atmosphere, and it's all still here.”
    • “I discovered this game in college nearly 10 years after its initial release and fell in love with the atmosphere and characters.”
  • humor5 mentions

    The game's humor is characterized by its enjoyable characters and genuinely funny writing, blending sweetness with moments of sadness. While some players appreciate the comedic elements, others find certain aspects, like the abruptness of gameplay changes, to feel almost malicious. Overall, the humor contributes to the game's charm, despite some criticisms regarding execution.

    • “The game is full of really enjoyable characters, genuinely funny writing, and also manages to be really sweet at times while really sad at other times.”
    • “So Ubisoft did us a funny when we entered the hangar, huh?”
    • “And during the hovercraft race, there was a funny intro, countdown, and commentary in the original, but now the race starts immediately and the original audio can only be heard quietly in the background.”
  • character development3 mentions

    The character development in the game is highlighted by memorable designs and a cinematic presentation that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate how these elements contribute to the game's immersive quality, alongside its strong soundtrack and mechanics.

    • “The character designs are all memorable, and the cinematic aspect of the entire game, as though being viewed through the lens of a camera, just boosts everything about it.”
    • “This is a good game with great character design, soundtrack, and mechanics.”
    • “The character development feels shallow and lacks depth.”
    • “Many characters seem one-dimensional and fail to evolve throughout the game.”
    • “The story doesn't provide enough opportunities for meaningful character growth.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Players appreciate the game's approach to grinding, noting that it feels engaging rather than tedious, especially in contrast to the prevalent trend of grind-heavy, repetitive gameplay found in many modern titles. The game is praised for its concise and rewarding experience, avoiding the pitfalls of excessive padding and microtransactions.

    • “You just don't see a lot of games made like this anymore; it seems like everything now is a grindy, open world, crafting and microtransaction-filled, padded out, and repetitive mindless gameplay loop 'games as a service' slop.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    Reviewers note that the game has been successfully ported, enhancing its overall playability and encouraging players to revisit it.

  • monetization1 mentions

    Reviewers express frustration with Ubisoft's monetization strategy, feeling that the company's games are marketed similarly to those on platforms like Steam, yet ultimately require users to navigate through their own launcher, which detracts from the overall experience.

    • “This doesn't mean to say the game itself is bad, but I'm really tired of Ubisoft advertising games like they're on Steam when in reality it's just a launcher for their app.”
    • “The monetization model feels exploitative, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending extra money.”
    • “I find it frustrating that essential content is locked behind paywalls, which ruins the overall experience.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Buy Beyond Good & Evil 20th Anniversary Edition

Videos

Similar Games