Beyond Good And Evil ISO

Some games are made simply and solely in order to sell, and some are designed in order to showcase the creativity and talents of the developers. Beyond Good & Evil (hereafter BG&E) is unquestionably one of the latter - a title that demonstrates what Ubisoft are capable of.

Usually videogames have two or three gameplay elements: BG&E has half a dozen. These include platforming, puzzle-solving, stealth, photography, hovercraft racing - and, of course, combat, both vehicular and on foot. Each and every one of these is implemented skilfully and smoothly integrated into the game: at times, two are combined (for example photography during combat). There are a couple of mini-games to boot.

The distinctiveness that constitutes the hallmark of this title is evident in the gameplay. Having a hovercraft as the initial means of transportation is one example; another is the unique fighting system by which the Y-button is used to activate a special move by a second character which enables the main character to launch a targeted attack that is utilized not only to defeat enemies, but also to overcome obstacles. The synthesis of stealth and photography is also noteworthy in this regard.

The storyline and characters are easily one of the strongest and most remarkable aspects of BG&E. The adventure is set on an aquatic planet called Hillys which is under attack by an alien race called the DomZ (who definitely look otherworldly), and is ostensibly defended by a military force - the Alpha Sections. A resistance ('terrorist') group called IRIS opposes the latter, alleging they work hand-in-glove with the DomZ. The protagonist of the game - a lithe, dark-skinned, green-eyed reporter named Jade serves IRIS and is entrusted with infiltrating and exposing the nefarious activities of the Alpha Sections. She is accompanied at first by her uncle, a humanoid pig by the name of Pei'J, and later by a somewhat eccentric, yet very likeable, male soldier. The background and developments of BG&E struck me as not only referring to the contemporary 'war on terror', but also subtly hinting about alien abductions on our own planet. However, it is at the game's conclusion (which provides a clear indication that there's more to the background of Jade and Pei'J) that it lives up to its Nietzschean title.

The graphics are more than adequate, though the most impressive visuals come towards the end of the game. (Incidentally, BG&E is set in a widescreen 'cinema' mode for a 4:3 screen; if one uses a 16:9 screen, the best results may be obtained by applying the zoom setting on your television.) The inventory interface is particularly worthy of mention: it employs a convenient circular menu system, which one can sift through by rotating the control stick. A similar system is used for putting in codes, and it is something other games should emulate.

The audio is also above-average. The music ranges from outstanding to ordinary, though the appreciation of some of the songs will depend on the player's tastes. While the sound effects are more than sufficient, it is the voice-acting that stands out as altogether excellent.

Apart from a few frustrating stealth sections, the only inconvenience I had was the lack of a minimap, (BG&E provides a compass, but only for vehicles). It should also be noted that the game is not long: the developers seem to have focused on quality rather than quantity.

All in all, this is a title one can recommend to everyone, especially those seeking something different, something imaginative... something thought-provoking.

Large worlds, gorgeous visuals, good stealth, great voice acting, good control & camera and a story that actually merits attention. The music is really fitting and well put together. High replay value. This game is a Hidden Gem.