Skip to main content

Beyond Good & Evil 20th Anniversary Edition

77%Game Brain Score
story, graphics
optimization, stability
77% User Score Based on 1,054 reviews

Platforms

PCPCWindowsWindows

About

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.

Beyond Good & Evil 20th Anniversary Edition screenshot
Beyond Good & Evil 20th Anniversary Edition screenshot
Beyond Good & Evil 20th Anniversary Edition screenshot
Beyond Good & Evil 20th Anniversary Edition screenshot
Beyond Good & Evil 20th Anniversary Edition screenshot
Beyond Good & Evil 20th Anniversary Edition screenshot
Beyond Good & Evil 20th Anniversary Edition screenshot
Beyond Good & Evil 20th Anniversary Edition screenshot
Beyond Good & Evil 20th Anniversary Edition screenshot
Beyond Good & Evil 20th Anniversary Edition screenshot
Beyond Good & Evil 20th Anniversary Edition screenshot
+5

77%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,054 reviews
story92 positive mentions
optimization40 negative mentions

  • The remaster preserves the charm of the original game while enhancing graphics and audio, making it visually appealing and enjoyable.
  • The new content, including a treasure hunt and additional lore, adds depth to the story and connects it to the anticipated sequel, Beyond Good and Evil 2.
  • The game runs smoothly on modern systems, with improved controls and the addition of autosave features, making it more accessible for new and returning players.
  • The requirement to use Ubisoft Connect for authentication and achievements is frustrating and detracts from the overall experience.
  • The game is capped at 60 FPS, which can lead to stuttering issues, especially on high-end hardware, and lacks ultrawide support.
  • Some players have reported crashes and bugs, particularly on AMD GPUs, making the game unplayable for certain users.
  • story
    260 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of the game is widely praised for its heartfelt and engaging narrative, with many reviewers highlighting its unique visual style and memorable characters. While some feel that the added content and lore enhance the original story, others criticize it for being predictable and underdeveloped. Overall, the game is seen as a compelling adventure that successfully intertwines gameplay with a rich narrative, leaving players eager for a potential sequel.

    • “From the gripping story that feels timeless to the incredible voice acting that brings its world to life, every element is brilliantly crafted.”
    • “The new bonus story is subtle at first so as not to intrude too much on the original game but then adds some really deep and heartwarming lore that expands on the original story.”
    • “It's still a great adventure with a magical atmosphere, exciting story, memorable characters, and great music.”
    • “There is some added content to this version mainly a backstory quest line which feels tacked on sequel bait we all know we are not gonna get and is not going to live up to our expectations of a BGE 2.”
    • “The whole story hints at this mystery about Jade and a power within her, or another life/name, so you are always reminded of these things 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.”
    • “And even without any of that poor judgment in presentation, the whole story is cliché, predictable, littered with plot holes, and charmlessly amateurish.”
  • graphics
    230 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The remastered edition features significant graphical improvements, enhancing the original art style while introducing new textures and models that generally look polished. However, some players noted that certain areas feel less optimized, and minor graphical glitches persist, leading to mixed feelings about the overall visual fidelity. While the updated graphics are appreciated, some users feel they occasionally clash with the nostalgic aesthetic of the original game.

    • “Nicer graphics, better controls, it was very fun revisiting this old, freshly polished gem.”
    • “The graphics are a massive improvement!”
    • “The game's unique art style pops like never before, and the music...oh, the music!”
    • “The game now weighs 16GB instead of 600MB with no significant improvement in graphics.”
    • “All in all, despite the polish, I find the image quality distinctly lower and the visuals less readable than the original.”
    • “What I dislike here most is how they changed the visuals.”
  • music
    176 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many praising the reorchestrated soundtrack for its live instrumentation and emotional depth, enhancing the overall atmosphere. While some players prefer the original tracks for their nostalgic energy, the remastered versions are noted for their higher fidelity and charm, despite occasional bugs affecting playback. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's appeal and immersive experience.

    • “The original soundtrack has a special place in my heart because it was already phenomenal, but the work the original composer did upon returning to this edition is just amazing.”
    • “Every single track has been done with fully live instrumentation, and it just breathes so much life into an already well-loved soundtrack.”
    • “The soundtrack is beautiful, calming, and catchy; the animation is beautiful with a charming style, and the characters are fun and well-developed with great designs.”
    • “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.”
  • gameplay
    116 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Beyond Good & Evil" is generally praised for its engaging mix of exploration, combat, and item collection, with many reviewers noting its nostalgic charm and solid mechanics. However, some players have reported technical issues such as stuttering and crashes, as well as a lack of depth in gameplay mechanics, which may feel outdated compared to modern standards. Overall, while the game retains its appeal and offers a varied experience, it may not meet the expectations of new players seeking more challenging gameplay.

    • “The gameplay strikes the perfect balance between exploration, combat, and the satisfaction of collecting items.”
    • “Whether it’s sneaking past guards or snapping photos of wildlife, every mechanic feels engaging and rewarding.”
    • “The world is beautiful and unique, the gameplay is polished and varied, and the story is top notch.”
    • “Stuttering heavily in cutscenes and quite often during gameplay even on my 7800x3d and rtx 4080.”
    • “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.”
    • “For now, I don't recommend this game, as it has a lot of bugs such as your cursor flashing on your screen during cutscenes and gameplay, rushed 3D models, locked keybinds that are different from the original 2003 version, and much more.”
  • optimization
    84 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players experiencing significant stuttering, frame drops, and crashes, even on high-end systems. While some users report a stable 60 fps with minor issues, others highlight the need for manual adjustments to configuration files to improve performance. Overall, the game appears to require further optimization to meet player expectations, particularly given its reliance on multiple DRM systems.

    • “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.”
    • “Ubisoft did a great job making the remaster feel as close as it did 20 years ago while delivering the best possible performance.”
    • “Very good performance even on mobile Intel Arc.”
    • “That said, this version does suffer from some performance issues, which can detract from the experience.”
    • “If you decide to get this game, be aware that you will likely experience crashes, stuttering, poor frame rates, and other issues.”
    • “The reason I refunded and am not recommending this game is because of its incredibly poor performance, most likely due to its DRM.”
  • stability
    44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant issues such as frame drops, audio desynchronization, and crashes, particularly on certain platforms like the Rog Ally. While some users have experienced smooth gameplay and minor glitches, others have found the need for extensive troubleshooting and modifications to achieve a playable state. Overall, the remaster appears to be a step forward but still suffers from various bugs that detract from the experience, leading many to recommend waiting for patches before diving in.

    • “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 runs great on Steam Deck.”
    • “Bad PC port; I need to go to ini files to unlock FPS and make the game somewhat playable, but the constant frame drops are still happening even after all the possible fixes. The drops are even happening in the main menu and they are really noticeable, as the game almost freezes and the audio in cut-scenes gets desynced.”
    • “But as I try to launch it after playing for about 12 hours, I am now unable to get past the initial loading screen. 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.”
  • emotional
    30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its unique visual style and heartfelt storytelling, which evoke nostalgia and deep connections to the characters. Players appreciate the new bonus story for its subtle yet impactful lore additions, as well as the emotional music that enhances key moments, despite some minor character design changes that detract from the original's emotional resonance. Overall, the game is celebrated for its emotional depth, thought-provoking themes, and heartwarming scenes, making it a memorable experience for fans.

    • “The new bonus story is subtle at first so as not to intrude too much on the original game but then adds some really deep and heartwarming lore that expands on the original story.”
    • “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, the new prequel content is very exciting and I love finally getting more lore.”
  • atmosphere
    22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of "Beyond Good & Evil" is widely praised for its magical and immersive qualities, enhanced by a fantastic soundtrack that complements the game's vibrant visuals and engaging story. While some users noted occasional issues with sound effects and background music that could disrupt the experience, the overall ambiance remains a highlight, contributing to the game's status as a timeless classic. The remaster has been lauded for preserving the original's vision while improving visual and lighting elements, ensuring that the atmosphere feels both nostalgic and fresh.

    • “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.”
    • “It's a great remaster that is technically flawless even at 4K, adds tons of visual and lighting improvements that don't compromise on the original game's vision or atmosphere, and adds many things like costumes and small quality of life improvements.”
    • “The game looks the way your brain remembers it; lots of colors and lighting to make areas pop, no liberties were taken in changing the atmosphere or overall feel of the game, it really is what you imagine it looking like.”
  • humor
    14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its enjoyable characters and genuinely funny writing, which balances sweetness and sadness effectively. While some players appreciate the comedic elements, others find certain aspects, like changes in gameplay and audio, to be humorously frustrating or even malicious. Overall, the humor contributes significantly to the game's charm and nostalgic appeal.

    • “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 development
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game has received mixed feedback, with some players praising the memorable character designs and cinematic presentation, while others feel that the development has not improved since the 2003 version. Overall, the characters are well-designed and contribute positively to the game's immersive world, but the depth of their development remains a point of contention.

    • “The character designs are all memorable, the cinematic aspect of the entire game, as though being viewed through the lens of a camera yourself, just boosted everything about it.”
    • “This is a good game with great character design, soundtrack, and mechanics.”
    • “Amazing world and characters, character design also.”
    • “Character development did not improve at all; it's still like the 2003 version.”
    • “Some of the character designs are lacking.”
  • grinding
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Reviews on grinding highlight a stark contrast in player experiences: while some find it to be an excessively tedious and time-consuming process, others appreciate the lack of grind in certain games, noting that they can achieve 100% completion without it feeling burdensome. Many players express frustration with the prevalence of grind-heavy, open-world games that rely on repetitive mechanics and microtransactions, longing for more engaging and streamlined gameplay.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Most tedious process ever.”
    • “It seems like everything now is a grindy, open world, crafting and microtransaction filled, padded out & repetitive mindless gameplay loop 'games as a service' slop.”
  • replayability
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Reviewers note that the game's solid port enhances its overall playability, contributing positively to its replayability.

  • monetization
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Reviewers express frustration with Ubisoft's monetization strategy, particularly criticizing the company's tendency to market their games as if they are available on platforms like Steam, while in reality, they require users to navigate through their own launcher. This has led to dissatisfaction among players who feel misled by the advertising approach.

    • “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 strategy feels exploitative and detracts from the overall experience.”
    • “It's frustrating to see so many in-game purchases that make it feel like you can't enjoy the game without spending extra money.”

Buy Beyond Good & Evil 20th Anniversary Edition

Videos

Games Like Beyond Good & Evil 20th Anniversary Edition

Beyond Good & Evil ImageBeyond Good & Evil ImageBeyond Good & Evil Image
Legacy of Kain Soul Reaver 1&2 Remastered Image
CHRONO CROSS: THE RADICAL DREAMERS EDITION Image
Tales of Symphonia Image
METAL GEAR SOLID 2: Sons of Liberty - Master Collection Version Image
This game contains adult content
KINGDOM HEARTS HD 1.5+2.5 ReMIX Image
Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series ImageKlonoa Phantasy Reverie Series ImageKlonoa Phantasy Reverie Series Image
.hack//G.U. Last Recode Image
Spyro Reignited Trilogy Image
TY the Tasmanian Tiger 2 Image