Beyond Good & Evil 20th Anniversary Edition

77%
Game Brain Score Based on 527 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • music
Beyond Good & Evil 20th Anniversary Edition Game Cover
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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

77%
Audience ScoreBased on 527 reviews
story46 positive mentions
optimization20 negative mentions
  • The remaster beautifully updates the graphics while preserving the original art style, making it visually appealing.
  • The game retains its engaging story, memorable characters, and unique gameplay mechanics, providing a nostalgic experience for returning players.
  • The addition of new content, such as the treasure hunt and behind-the-scenes gallery, enhances the overall experience and ties into the anticipated sequel.
  • The requirement to use Ubisoft Connect for authentication and achievements is frustrating and detracts from the overall experience.
  • The game is locked at 60 FPS, which can lead to stuttering issues on some modern hardware, particularly with AMD GPUs.
  • There are reports of crashes and bugs, particularly during cutscenes, which can hinder gameplay and lead to frustration.
  • story130 mentions

    The story of the game is widely praised for its heartfelt and engaging narrative, with many reviewers highlighting its memorable characters and emotional depth. 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 recognized for its captivating storytelling, unique atmosphere, and the hope for a sequel that could further explore its intriguing world.

    • “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.”
    • “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.”
    • “The whole story hints at a mystery about Jade and a power within her, but even to the very end of the game, 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.”
    • “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.”
  • graphics115 mentions

    The graphics in the remastered edition have received notable improvements, enhancing the original art style while introducing new textures and models that generally look great. However, some players feel that certain graphical elements still appear outdated or inconsistent, and there are reports of technical issues, particularly with AMD graphics cards. Overall, while the remaster successfully polishes the visuals, it may not fully meet the expectations set by modern standards.

    • “Nicer graphics, better controls; it was very fun revisiting this old, freshly polished gem.”
    • “The graphics have been improved a lot, which is great.”
    • “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.”
    • “Graphics upgrades aren't even that noticeable, only slight tweaks here and there.”
  • music88 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many praising the reorchestrated soundtrack for its high fidelity and emotional impact, while some fans feel it lacks the energy of the original. The remastered tracks, featuring live instrumentation, breathe new life into beloved themes, although a few users noted minor bugs affecting music playback in certain areas. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature that enhances the game's atmosphere and nostalgia, making it a memorable experience for both new players and veterans alike.

    • “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 astonishing, the characters are old friends, and the world is captivating.”
    • “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.”
  • gameplay58 mentions

    The gameplay of the remastered version of "Beyond Good & Evil" is generally praised for its engaging mechanics, which blend exploration, combat, and stealth, creating a rewarding experience. While some players appreciate the nostalgic feel and improvements in graphics and controls, others note issues such as stuttering, crashes, and a lack of depth in gameplay mechanics. Overall, the game retains its charm and appeal, though it may feel dated compared to modern titles.

    • “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.”
  • optimization42 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players experiencing significant stuttering, frame drops, and crashes, even on high-end systems. While some users managed to achieve stable performance through ini file modifications and frame rate adjustments, the overall consensus is that the game requires further optimization to fully meet player expectations. Additionally, the necessity of using Ubisoft's DRM has been criticized, contributing to the frustration surrounding performance issues.

    • “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.”
    • “Overall recommend even if performance needs some work.”
    • “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.”
    • “Do not buy this until it is fixed or somewhat optimized.”
  • stability22 mentions

    The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players experiencing significant issues such as frame drops, audio desync, and crashes, particularly on certain platforms like the Rog Ally. While some users report a smooth experience with minor graphical glitches, others highlight the need for extensive troubleshooting and express frustration with the game's performance, especially in its PC port. Overall, while the remaster offers improved visuals and content, it remains plagued by 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 are really noticeable, as the game almost freezes and the audio in cutscenes 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.”
  • emotional15 mentions

    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. The new bonus story enriches the original narrative with heartwarming lore, while the music and poignant scenes elicit strong emotional responses, including moments of joy and sadness. However, some character design changes have drawn mixed reactions, slightly detracting from the emotional impact during key scenes.

    • “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.”
  • atmosphere11 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its magical and immersive qualities, enhanced by a fantastic soundtrack that complements the engaging story and memorable characters. While some users noted issues with sound effects and background music that occasionally disrupt the experience, the overall visual and auditory design, especially in the remastered version, successfully preserves the original's charm and enhances its vibrant aesthetic. Many reviewers regard the game as a timeless classic that effectively balances gameplay and atmosphere without overstaying its welcome.

    • “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.”
  • humor7 mentions

    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 changes, like the removal of original audio during key moments, to be a missed opportunity for humor. Overall, the game is recognized for its lightheartedness and charm, contributing to its beloved status among fans.

    • “The music, the characters, the humor, and the stealth, all fantastic.”
    • “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?”
  • character development5 mentions

    Character development in the game is noted as lacking improvement compared to the 2003 version, despite the memorable character designs and an engaging cinematic presentation. While the world and characters are praised for their design and overall appeal, the depth of character development remains a point of contention among users.

    • “The character designs are all memorable, and 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; the character design is also impressive.”
    • “Character development did not improve; it still feels like the 2003 version.”
    • “Some of the character designs are lacking.”
  • grinding4 mentions

    Reviews on grinding highlight a stark divide in player experiences: some find it to be an excessively tedious and time-consuming process, while others appreciate the game's design, noting that it avoids the repetitive and padded gameplay often seen in modern titles. Overall, there is a sentiment that many contemporary games rely too heavily on grindy mechanics, detracting from the enjoyment.

    • “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.”
  • replayability1 mentions

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

  • monetization1 mentions

    Reviewers express frustration with Ubisoft's monetization strategy, particularly criticizing the company's tendency to market games as if they are available on platforms like Steam, while in reality, they require users to navigate through Ubisoft's own launcher. This approach is seen as misleading and detracts from the overall gaming experience.

    • “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, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending extra money.”
    • “It's frustrating to see so many features locked behind paywalls, which ruins the overall experience.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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