Released on November 11th, 2003, Beyond Good & Evil is yet another game from Michel Ancel of Ubisoft, creator of the Rayman series, set in a new universe filled with aliens, war, conspiracies, espionage and more. Players take control of Jade, a female photojournalist, who lives with her "uncle" Pey'j, a pig-like human mechanic, among other orphans on the planet Hillys. The planet is under attack by a hostile alien force known as DomZ, to which a government force known as the Alpha Sections has the planet under lock-down for its protection against this opposing force. Strapped for cash in which to shield their home, players take an assortment of odd-end photography jobs to pay the bills. However, these pursuits soon lead to discovery of darker truths to be found in this world of Hillys.
It was and still stands as a unique game unlike many of its peers in the medium, blending together all sorts of ideas, ethnicity, sounds, and gameplay mechanics into a one of a kind experience. One moment you're exploring an abandoned mine that resonates the vibes of a Zelda dungeon. The next you're sneaking through a government facility like that of a Metal Gear stealth game, or taking pictures of alien wildlife like something out of Pokemon Snap. This mix of genres may make for some unusual pacing, but it still manages to flow so fluidly together and makes for such a natural feeling world. The mix of lighthearted nature photography and then taking photos of dark, seedy operations offer a beautiful juxtaposition to one another that heightens the emotional resonance of each moment. The same certainly holds true to another beautifully diverse soundtrack, once again composed by Christophe Heral. Incorporating a wide variety of cultures and instruments, such as Arabic strings to Spanish lyrics, the music of Beyond Good & Evil is delightful mixing pot of unique sounds and ambiance.
While the wealth of variety in this game gives it such a distinct flavor, credit should also be given to just the sheer creativity and originality of the many ideas and designs displayed in this game. The way Jade and her partner worked together to solve puzzles and explore their environment is an incredibly engaging and unique system. Or how Jade and her partner tag team against enemies and bosses with their varied move-sets, made for some of the most clever and memorable bouts in my experiences of gaming. Even just the user interface (UI) design was an ingenious and special display of creativity; How it spiraled and weaved through the many selectable options and inputs of the menu was exponentially more interesting than that found in most any other game, and it fit this world so well at that.
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| One of the coolest UI designs ever. Still impressive by today's standards. |
The game may be a tad short and a bit archaic looking to this generation's graphic powerhouses, but if you can look beyond these minor blemishes, you'll find one of the most unusual, creative and daring adventures to be found in a generation. While the pending sequel of Beyond Good & Evil 2, something 15 years in the waiting for many a fan, looks to be a radical shift in style at a glance, it still shows an ambition to boldly mix together ideas and cultures like never before. Let's hope that these bold pushes continue to expand the bounds of creativity and deliver many a new memorable experience, whatever decade it shall eventually decide to release in.
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