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Bargain Bin Laden #7: Beyond Good and Evil photo

You don't really need me to go on and on about Ubisoft's incredible Beyond Good and Evil, do you? The same people that busy themselves fellating Fumito Ueda over Shadow of the Colossus and ICO and waxing philosophical on the genius of Shigesato Itoi and the Mother series (read: me) have probably whispered to you of plans to blow up a Dunkin Donuts to show Ubisoft how much they want a sequel.

The Zelda series spawned a genre that offers a special kind of adventure, and it is within this genre that games like Okami and Beyond Good and Evil were cultivated. Great action, amazing character design, a killer plot and spectacular gameplay -- BG&E has it all. It's a damn fine game, available on all major platforms, and a steal at ten bucks. You must buy this game. Hit the jump for more!

Beyond Good and Evil (XBOX, PS2, GCN)
Original Release: November 11, 2003
Developed by: Ubisoft
Bargain Binned: $9.99 at GameStop/EBGames, usually cheaper at Mom & Pop shops.
A Special Bold-Type Announcement from Aaron: If you have an Xbox, buy the Xbox version. Failing that, get the GameCube version if you've got a GameCube. Failing that, buy a GameCube or Xbox, because the PS2 version has some serious issues.
 
Haven't played BG&E before? No worries, my son. Watch the above video detailing the game's introduction and first battle and you'll understand why I like it so much. This game is cinematic, very much so. And the production value is incredible, offering not only stellar voice acting but a dazzling array of characters that are increasingly well designed and wonderfully animated. It's just a badass total package, and -- big deal, here -- completely original. This isn't a sequel, or a licensed adaptation, or some bullshit spinoff. A rare thing nowadays, indeed.
 
Beyond Good and Evil was created by Michel Ancel, most known as the creator of Rayman, in Ubisoft's Montpellier studios in France. Just as Ancel built upon the 3D platforming genre with Rayman 2: The Great Escape, Beyond Good and Evil stands as an expansion upon the adventure genre popularized by the Legend of Zelda series. Ancel's got a good head on his shoulders, and rather than make just another Zelda clone, he incorporated a number of features that make BG&E into a somehow more whole gaming experience than you might expect.
 
It's got quite a story. BG&E concerns a planet called Hillys, plagued by assaults from a relatively unknown alien force known as the DomZ. The Alpha Section, a division of the Hillys military, institutes a state of kinda-sorta martial law under the extreme circumstances, claiming that they've found a way to eliminate the threat for good. As you may already suspect, something about the whole situation doesn't smell right; Beyond Good and Evil's long, complicated plot deals primarily with Jade, a young photographer, unraveling the conspiracies that bind the DomZ and the Alpha Section together, with all kinds of ass-kickin' along the way.
  
For a game that looks like BG&E does, you wouldn't expect it to have such a heavy plot. I don't mean to say that it looks bad -- quite the contrary. The character design and animation are straight out of a kickass Don Bluth or Dreamworks animated feature, and like these films, you'd expect the anthropomorphic pig to kick up and dance a jig every now and then -- doesn't happen. What does happen are alien abductions, scientific experiments upon innocent civilians, murder, deceit, and conspiracy. The themes are thick, but the plot is remarkably competent and doesn't overthink itself. The characters, particularly Jade herself and the aforementioned anthropomorphic pig (name of Pey'j) are thoroughly developed throughout the course of the game, which comes to a satisfying conclusion, leaving just enough hope for further additions to the series down the line. Ancel did a hell of a job writing this game, and it's one of the biggest draws in playing it. Now if only they'd make a goddamn sequel ... 
 
Er, anyways, BG&E isn't just a terribly engaging plot and pretty on the eyes; it's an absolute blast to play, too. As I said, the conventions of 3D-based action-adventure gaming cemented by Ocarina of Time on the N64 are well-represented in this game, and where Ubisoft expands upon these tried-and-true techniques of game design, they rarely miss a beat. Jade's assault on the DomZ army is ruthless, swift, and virtually seamless, a feat particularly evident when taking on multiple enemies at once. I don't mean easy, however -- BG&E will give you a run for your money from time to time -- I simply mean astoundingly well executed. Take the game for a spin and you'll see what I mean when BG&E hurls you headlong into combat less than 2 minutes into the start of the game. (I love this -- too many games take way too much time to get rolling, nowadays.)
 
Additionally, as a news photographer, Jade has the opportunity to whip out her camera at any time to take pictures of whatever she stumbles across. Successful snappage of animals throughout the game's world, characters and other items of interest will win you some handsome rewards -- it's a nice addition to the game, something that can keep you interested in those interim periods of exploration or gathering information. Frank West, eat your heart out.
 
As I mentioned earlier, this game has a shine to it that few developers put the work into producing. Everything about it screams top-notch -- well, if you're playing the Xbox version, anyway -- great music, great voice-acting, and lots of little touches that push BG&E as far as it can possibly go. Ten bucks is a little high to garner Bargain Bin Laden's lusty glance, but trust me, it's definitely worth it. Buy this game.







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63 comments | showing # 1 to 50
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next 50 comments

CannibalCalvin 's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2007 19:52
CannibalCalvin
Heavily underrated game. A gem amongst a charcoal backdrop, lost in a sea of mediocrity.

*pours booze on ground for some reason*
generaldane's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2007 19:55
generaldane
this game is friggin awesome
Namelessted's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2007 20:02
Namelessted
$10 for this game. It makes me cry. Seriously, i payed full price for this game when it came out and I would do it again. This is the most underrated game I have ever seen. Anybody that owns a Gamecube, PS2, or xbox (which should be everybody reading Destructoid) NEEDS to buy this game. I would say that it was Game of the Year when it hit shelves.
Anonononomous's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2007 20:02
Anonononomous
Beware if you get this for PC. If you've got a CPU that throttles, you'll need to turn off the throttling. I ended up playing the game at 2.2x speed because I have cool 'n' quiet but was unaware that the game wouldn't work right with it.
omegazero's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2007 20:03
omegazero
Best damn game ever, period.
Aetsen's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2007 20:05
Aetsen
I played it on the PC, kinda buggy should of got the Xbox version. Stellar game though, good write-up. That Spanish hologram guy was annoying.
Bob Muir's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2007 20:06
Bob Muir
Well, since I just bought an Xbox this weekend, I'll make it a point to pick up this game (as well as the requisite copy of Halo) as soon as my budget allows it. Stupid college budgets...
dorock's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2007 20:06
dorock
You will not be able to put this game down, its story its artwork, gameplay it's just simply addictive.

I love this game, such a great story and the ending, oh how I want a sequel.

TheBrain's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2007 20:06
TheBrain
Whats wrong with the PS2 version? I didnt have any problems.

Awesome game btw, one of my best experiences of this past gen. This is one I'll come back to years from now.
synce's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2007 20:06
synce
It's your average adventure game if you ask me. And the one thing I hate most in any videogame is when the developers throw in these dumb cutscenes that you're not allowed to skip. Eventually I got fed up and stopped playing altogether.
DurkeeLad's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2007 20:07
DurkeeLad
I played this way to many times on the Xbox when it first came out, got all the pearls, was rather proud of myself.

Seriously though, I hated that ending... there HAS to be a sequel. Oh, also the music is ridiculously good.
ManSpirit's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2007 20:08
ManSpirit
I'm looking for a copy right now. I'm glad I kept my Wavebird for the Wii.
Topher Cantler's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2007 20:13
Topher Cantler
I honestly put this right up there with Okami as one of the best adventure titles I've ever played and I only paid 7 bucks for it. And that was almost two years ago.
soccerking3t's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2007 20:13
soccerking3t
awesome game... played the buggy(but still awesome) pc version, and recently beat it.....oh yea its was only 2.99 on amazon...play this game please
generaldane's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2007 20:13
generaldane
synce

Dude frigging blasphemy this game is fvcking awesome

aaah well to each his own i guess
Darren Nakamura's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2007 20:41
Darren Nakamura
Already own it, but yes. Absolutely. And most people on the forum agree.
AndyCat's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2007 21:06
AndyCat
I'm also curious why the ps2 version is considered inferior?

Oh yeah, I just picked up psychonauts (another great underrated gem)
Lezbro's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2007 21:08
Lezbro
I'd just like to take a moment to say...

SHUT THE FUCK UP ABOUT GOOD AND EVIL!

Jesus!

We.

Get.

It.

I am so fucking sick and tired and sick and tired and sick and tired of hearing every fucking gamer with a face-sphincter and marginal QWERTY competence going on and on about this fucking gem, this underrated masterpiece, this buried treasure, this gaming Picasso, this icon of the ages.

Listen.

It's on the shelves.

We know.

We KNOW!

We've seen it at EB. At Target. At Best Buy.

We.

KNOOOOOW!

We heard about it when it went on sale for $30.

And $25.

And $20 (GAWD, did we hear about it at $20).

And $15.

And now $10.

Guess what?

Fuck you.

And fuck Good and Evil.

I played the game.

I hated it.

But that's not even the point. The point is not whether you liked or disliked it. We fucking get it! Blah, blah, treasure. Blah, blah, buried sack of shiny fucking doubloons.

We have the Internets at our house.

We know how to use a search engine.

Pretty much everyone on this site is a serious gamer. We read the blogs, the sites, the magazines. We KNOW Good and Evil is highly regarded.

We also know the same thing about Psychonauts, Ico, and Shadow of the Colossus. Now show us some fucking respect and ZIP IT!

Zip!

I'm serious.

Somebody cut the head off of this marauding beast, drive a stake through its heart, and bury it face-down in consecrated ground.

Gawd...

DAMN!
Lezbro's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2007 21:10
Lezbro
So help me gawd, if you even THINK about posting on Dtoid about this fucking game when it hits $5, I will come to your village, rape your livestock, and set your entire fucking family on fire!
fromagex's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2007 21:10
fromagex
anyone gonna answer the questions about why its inferior on ps2?

as thats all i have. and almost bought it at one point
tomservojr's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2007 21:22
tomservojr
Reading Lezbro's posts, you can see what kind of person doesn't like this game. However, if you're well-rounded, if you can communicate without sounding like a little kid who just learned how to swear, and if you LOVE video games, then BG&E is for you. Li'l baby tantrum-throwers and attention whores need not apply!
Gregor's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2007 21:36
Gregor
This whole article = Epic.

One of my favorite games ever.
Colette Bennett's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2007 21:45
Colette Bennett
@Lezbro: Why in the world was a rant like that necessary?
In fact, why would you READ THE WHOLE ARTICLE?

Namelessted's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2007 21:57
Namelessted
@Lezbro, its called "Beyond Good & Evil" not "Good and Evil". There is a difference.
ManSpirit's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2007 22:06
ManSpirit
I can kinda understand Lezbo's frustrtation and I'm sure we've all felt it at times when you don't get some super popular game that's getting it's balls licked. I get the same feeling every time I hear about how supposedly great Gears of War is. These latest awards it got nearly sent me over the deep end.
Anonononomous's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2007 22:10
Anonononomous
Psychonauts is a much better game, I think.

I honestly wasn't all that amazed by BG&E. Maybe the fact that I played it at 2.2x speed had something to do with it, but I just don't see what the huge deal is. It's good, sure, but it's no Deus Ex.
Namelessted's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2007 22:13
Namelessted
its funny you mention Deus Ex. the same thing happened when i tried to play that on my PC. It was running at at least 2x the speed and was unplayable and i was unimpressed. By the time i figured out the problem i had moved on to another game.
Lezbro's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2007 22:16
Lezbro
>> In fact, why would you READ THE WHOLE ARTICLE?

Please, sister. You know I didn't read the whole article.

Not even the first paragraph.

I didn't have to.

I've read this same article 500 times before on other sites.
Lezbro's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2007 22:17
Lezbro
Oh.

BEYOND.

Well, that changes everything.
Ham Vagina's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2007 22:19
Ham Vagina
The only real knock about the game is that it's pretty short, it's probably in the 10-12 hour range. By no means should this dissuade you from buying it though.
velcroman's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2007 22:21
velcroman
i must admit, i've only played this for like an hour at a friends house. I didn't want to buy it for $35-$40 (what it cost then), but $10, if I find this i'll pick it up.
subnet6's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2007 22:22
subnet6
Great article. Thanks for reminding me about this gem. I think I'll be popping it in later tonight for another runthrough. I bought this new at target for $15 about a year ago. BTW, this article and the other BBLs have been great. I just picked up GunValkarye at the local gamestop based on your recent BBL on it and am loving it. I had no idea about that game. What a great feature. Keep up the good work and don't mind the local DBag snobbery.
Aaron Mxy Yost's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2007 22:23
Aaron Mxy Yost
Awesome game. Picked it up for the Cube when it first hit $20, played through it completely, then turned right around and played through it a second time to get 100%. And nobody has mentioned the incredibly addictive air hockey mini-game yet, I spent hours just playing that alone. I still wish they'd stuck in a multiplayer mode for that.
Lezbro's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2007 22:28
Lezbro
Did a search on Google for "'beyond good and evil' underrated."

11,300 results.

If there are 11,300 articles, blog posts, comments, and essays written on how you are the "most underrated of all time," then you are by definition NOT underrated at all.

I'll say it again...

It's not whether this game is good or bad, it's about having to hear over and over and over how underrated this game is. How it's such a sweet bargain. How I simply MUST play it.

It's NOT underrated.

Any more than Okami is underrated or Psychonauts. Every gamer on the planet knows the sing-songy party line on those games. The orthodoxy. The gospel.
Lezbro's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2007 22:30
Lezbro
This spank session is driving me batshit.
Aaron Linde's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2007 22:30
Aaron Linde
I guess I simply don't see why a big group of people digging on a game somehow makes it less deserving of praise. But whatever. It's a good game at a cheap price, can't beat that.
bigpixels's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2007 22:34
bigpixels
Two cents is two cents. Beyond was allright, but as a concept, this is Abe's Odyssey/Exodus in 3D. Same storyline. It's the combat that was pretty solid, the game had a knack for batting enemies exactly where you wanted them to hit. Pretty ambitious.
Lezbro's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2007 22:35
Lezbro
OK.

Fine.

I yield.
Mike's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2007 22:42
Mike
Does the Xbox version work on the 360 yet? I have a copy and have been waiting for well over a year now to play it. :/
AndyCat's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2007 22:53
AndyCat
Any word on wht the ps2 version isn't as good?
AndyCat's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2007 22:53
AndyCat
*why
milly's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2007 22:55
milly
I just can't see how this game could possibly be worth $10. The last generation graphics are definitely not up to the premium graming power of the next gen ps3. i can see picking it up for the ps3 because the ps3 would improve the graphics enough that you might be able to stand to look at it, but i prefer the ps3 games which show off the premium power of the premium hard core gamer console, the ps3. i'm going to go back to watching this herzog/kinski movie now, and maybe later i'll play a little resistance which is pretty much the only next gen graphics game on the market right now.
Aaron Linde's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2007 23:01
Aaron Linde
Oh, Mike -- just to clarify, I recommended the Xbox BG&E over the PS2 version because there's some really crap slowdown in it from time to time, and the Xbox just runs it better. I own 'em both. Normally I'd stick to the PS2 version just because I prefer the Dual Shock to the Xbox S Controller (like I did with Psychonauts), but a game this pretty deserves the best presentation it can get.

Mind, I said this after having played through the game in its entirety on the PS2. I got the Xbox version when it was good and cheap. It's definitely playable on the PS2, but between the two I'd definitely stick with the Xbox.
mdvalenz's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2007 23:06
mdvalenz
I bought this for the PC when it came out. One of the best games I have played. In fact, I think I will reinstall it and play it again right now.
Darren Nakamura's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2007 23:59
Darren Nakamura
Again, I can't tell if milly is serious or trying to be funny.

As far as what Lezbro has been saying, I agree with one minor point he made. Beyond Good & Evil is not underrated. It's an excellent game, and if you ask just about anybody who has played it, they'll say the same. It's just semantics, but how about underappreciated instead?
Aaron Linde's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/12/2007 00:04
Aaron Linde
In the first paragraph I made the admission that this was not a new or somehow novel opinion. It made BBL because it's a great game, and cheap.

Heh -- next week's BBL: "You guys heard of this game? I bet not! Nobody's heard of this fucking game, it's called Okami, and it's like the most unknown game ever! Yaaartthgh!"
fromagex's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/12/2007 00:26
fromagex
i must admit, since i started reading this site back at its inception, beyond good and evil HAS been mentioned a lot.
Jchobot's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/12/2007 01:07
Jchobot
Shadow and Ico are amazingly fantastical and if that makes me an Ueda-san fanboy than I will happily bear that cross!

(Does it matter that I waited for two hours after he finished giving his key not at last year's DICE summit to get his autograph?)

I didn't think so. ;)
Hagar the Horrible's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/12/2007 03:01
Hagar the Horrible
Personally I liked the game and if you haven't got it then $10 is a steal for something that you probably won't regret... and if you do then sell it on.

1. @Lezbro - you have a point about BG&E being constantly lauded and if you don't rate the game, fair enough but given the topic of this thread maybe you should have realised that this would be a BG&E lovefest and stayed clear... unless you enjoy the pain.
2. @Milly as an example of parody your comments are the pinnacle of achievement... I don't know if I should laugh or cry.
Rainbowblack's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/12/2007 03:12
Rainbowblack
Bought this for the PS2 after the PC version had issues.

BG&E is a damn fine experience. Id pay 10$ to play this again.
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