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The good in gaming

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 21 / 22
Date: July 11, 2005
Author: Amazon User

So often we look for computer games that simulate, we forget about those that actually stiumulate. I'm as much of a fan of the movie tie-in or the sports franchise as the next gamer. But every once in a while a singular title, made with no guarantee of financial success, but simply because a few people had a genuinely creative thought, reaches out and demands attention.

Beyond Good and Evil seems, at first, the least likely candidate in the world for this. Its cover shows a girl not with a gun or a superhero's outfit, but a camera. And the drawing, though obviously professional, is clearly...cartoonish. It seems more like an anime adventure than a real game.

And, indeed, when you first start playing there's a lot of very odd anthropomorphic animals running around a kind of kids' playhouse. You discover that you'll make money in the game by taking pictures of the wildlife. It's all very tame, and very unlike the traditional game.

At one point you walk into a room where a news broadcast is being received, and then you get an inkling, just a mere hint, that things in this cartoony, almost idyllic, world you're in are maybe--just possibly--a little more sinister than you first thought it was.

And then all hell breaks loose.

From there on those strange creatures you first encountered become allies, your camera becomes a key to unravelling the truth of what's going on in the propaganda war around you, and the game, well, grows up. Part puzzle, part adventure, part flat-out action, Beyond Good and Evil is one of those very rare games in which all expectations are trumped by the unfolding immersive story line, where parents and kids can play together and find different things to like, and where you're left feeling genuinely entertained.

I gather that this title perhaps didn't do as well as it should have on its initial release, but I've seen it for sale at major retailers for the past two years. It may not have the high profile of a Halo or a Madden, but it's got a very loyal following and a growing player base.

In the midst of discussion about gratuitous gaming violence, and uninspired title cloning, there are occasionally titles like this that give validation to the industry as a place where artists--real, honest-to-gosh artists--live and satisfy our collective hunger for something really good to play.

When I hear of state governments threatening to make it illegal for minors to buy games, I think of a title like this and just wonder how far out of touch lawmakers and some political activists are from understanding the diversity present in the games industry. But the triumph of individual creativity against government misinformation is precisely one of the political points this "kids" game is trying to make.

Jeunet + Miyazaki + Rayman = ?

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 9 / 10
Date: January 09, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Beyond Good & Evil, from Ubisoft, is an adventure game in the vein of Zelda: The Wind Waker. You play as Jade, an "action reporter" who becomes embroiled in a plot to expose a government conspiracy. The "Alpha Sections" are nominally your planet Hyllis' defense force, but you find that they seem to show up conveniently just after the invaders, the DomZ, attack. You're not the only one who finds this fishy, and in the process of trying to figure out what's going on.

The plot is relatively straightfoward - you find a secretive group who's working to uncover the government conspiracy, and you face some obstacles and hurdles along the way. There's some stealth, there's some puzzle solving, some item fetching, and some combat. All the standard adventure ingredients are there. But that's not all there is. You drive around in your hovercraft, which you can also enter in races, and you can take photos of the local flora and fauna. You'll also use your camera to photograph the evidence of the conspiracy at hand.

All that adventure-y goodness is wrapped up in a beautiful, and interesting package. Though the "Jade Engine" which BG&E is built upon isn't going to change the world, it is powerful enough to make BG&E a graphically stunning game. The environments are an interesting blend of Jeunet and Miyazaki, and the fact that Michel Ancel also created Rayman isn't lost on the design aesthetic. On top of the beautiful and imaginitive environments, the supporting cast is one of the most interesting aspects of the game.

Your uncle, an anthromorphic pig named Pey'j, is a cantankerous old mechanic, whose affection for Jade really shows through his cranky exterior. Jade has some really novel casual interactions with the patrons of the local bar, from a humanoid shark man who plays a variant of air hockey, to the bartender, who's an eight foot tall cow-man. The casual way she talks to these otherworldly creatures (the shark-man is named "Francis") gives the game a sort of supernatural familiarity that is unlike most games.

Beyond Good and Evil is really the game that's made me really consider Ubisoft both a powerhouse of game development, and a studio that's willing to take some pretty risky moves in order to move the medium forward. Just as Sega did, when they were publishing games for the Dreamcast, Ubisoft seems to be making a wide variety of really interesting, and unfortunately overlooked games. BG&E, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, and XIII all tried new, and interesting things. Couple that with bestsellers like Rainbow Six 3, and the Ghost Recon series, and it's hard to argue that Ubisoft doesn't possess a stellar lineup for the discerning gamer. Though not all of their games are excellent (the multiplayer in R6-3 is broken, and XIII, though visually interesting, plays to its weaknesses by including far too much stealth), they're trying new things, and have been hitting quite a few completely out of the park. Prince of Persia is hands down my favorite game of last year, and BG&E looks to be of similar quality.

Another gem lost to time...

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 8 / 8
Date: February 24, 2005
Author: Amazon User

This game is fantastic. Go buy it.

I'm not going to waste your time by telling you things that you can read in the other excellent reviews here. It's a 5 star game, I think you can get that from all of the reviews here. I would just like to add to why you should buy this game...

In a world of sequels, games based from movies, games that have been rehashed and rehased comes some wonderful gems that get lost. Whether it's because they come out at bad times or because people would rather play Halo 2000 or similar game, actually creative and emotionally powerful games slip through the cracks. This is one such game.

I have been trying to get people to play this game for purely selfish reasons. I've seen too many games that actually warrant sequels get halted because no one buys them. This game has everything. It has characters you care about, a story that is interesting and socially relevent, action that is constantly changing so that you are doing many different things, actually humorous scenes and dialogue, and graphics that are stunning in both their fluidity and art direction. I remember loading this game, watching a beautiful cut scene that bled directly to the action and being surprised that I was actually playing. I just assumed it was a cutscene, it was so fluid.

I got this game at Christmas time a while back with a bunch of other games. When I started playing this one, I couldn't put it down. Normally, I'll switch between games if I have more than one. Not so with this game, I had to keep playing, had to figure out what would happen next.

It fills you with so much wonder and joy that you remember why it is you play games. And just like Ico before it, it gets ignored. If you want a game that is different from most, then please at least rent this game, give it a try. It's too good to keep going unnoticed.

A Game Full of Wonder and Beauty

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 8 / 8
Date: March 09, 2005
Author: Amazon User

Wondering why this obscure game is so highly rated? It really is one of the most pleasurable experiences in gaming you can have. Every aspect is expertly done ( even the blips
+ bloops of minor sound effects are original and fun to listen to). The graphics, story, sound design, and gameplay leave almost nothing to be desired. The act of taking pictures of strange alien animals may sound lame, but even this a joy since the creatures are so breathtaking and well-designed. And there is much to do : fighting ( martial arts-style! ), reconnaissance, collecting, racing, vehicular combat, puzzle-solving, and even wagering on an air hockey-type (!) parlor game. Even the soundtrack will delight you when you hear the Latin, Eastern, or reggae music kick in at the appropriate time and place. To sum it all up, this is a game nearly every child or adult ( Eat your heart out Disney! ), male or female, can easily get the hang of and thoroughly enjoy.

Best Action Adventure On Xbox

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: February 27, 2005
Author: Amazon User

Beautiful. Simply beautiful. This might well be the best action adventure game in the history of the genre. (Certainly in the history of Xbox.)

Even though the name and cover didn't appeal to me at first -- when I popped the game into my console, it became clear to me from the lush, stylized graphics with their unmistakable french "flavor" alone that this game is special.

The production values are truely awesome. This applies not only to the graphics and animation, but also the musical score that would suit any James Cameron movie. You'll be discovering a variety of very imaginative environments that have all been designed with exceptional love of detail.

But what's most important, the story is superb and really really well presented. It starts of rather subtly, step by step drawing you ever deeper into the game world, always keeping you motivated to explore it more. By the time the dramatic tension really starts to build up, you are already helplessly in love with the protagonists and the alien world that they inhabit. You just have to keep playing until the fulminant climax.

Even tough the story is a told in a fairy-tale fashion, it has quite some depth and a lot to say. I always disliked Zelda because of the, in my opinion, clicheed and utterly silly
stories and dialogue ("Rescue the princess bla bla"). Not so BG&E! If you, like me, have been waiting for a game story that is light and entertaining but doesn't insult your intellect -- you just found it!

What adds to this is the way the different elements of the gameplay relate to, and support, the story. Everything makes complete sense in the game, creating a feeling of authenticity and purpose. It's all killer, no filler.

The level design is full of innovative ideas and will hit you with lots of great surprises and enthralling situations. Although there is no one single gameplay element that is genuinely new,
the way the game blends such a variety of different elements together seamlessly can be called a major innovation of its own rights. Everything in the game just "flows"... and your game character moves through this diverse world with precision and elegance. The game engine does a great job letting you forget about the controls, and just play.

BG&E combines the emotion and narrative intensity of the classic LucasArts adventures with the action and thrills of a 21st century console action game.

Given, the graphical style and low-violence mood may not match everybody's taste. [...]if what you see complies with
your viewing habits then this game is must-have for you.

Why am I first to review this game?

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 4
Date: December 29, 2003
Author: Amazon User

There is no question about this game... it's addictive and fun. I really don't understand why I'm the first to post a review here. This game has everything you want: a GREAT story, action, adventure, stealth, interaction, racing, item collection... A lot of people are hesitant to buy this game simply because they have read it's too short. That is true, but I found myself savoring every moment of it. Seriously. I'd put the game down and anticipate playing it at a later time. What would you rather... a long game that gets boring and repetitive, or a somewhat short game that is beautiful and engaging throughout? The cutscenes sometimes were so emotional that it actually almost made me cry. I can't say that about any other video game I've played..... EVER. This is by far the best game I've ever had the pleasure of owning for the X-Box console, and I'm already waiting for the sequel to come out!

Excellent Game

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 4
Date: May 30, 2004
Author: Amazon User

This game was fantastic and definately worth more then the reduced price. I've had alot more fun playing this then Halo and some other highly regarded titles. It's a little gem of a game. Immersive, clever, fun to play and highly polished. I've always had a bit of doubt when it came to UbiSoft's games but they've done a great job and this game just has to be part of anyone's collection. It took me a total of 15 hours to complete but it was well worth it, the value I got from it was much more then some repetitive shooter or boring driving game that seems to be the norm in gaming nowdays.

Just brilliant fun!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 5
Date: July 18, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Can a game be fun to play and have a compelling, even profound story? The answer is yes, and Beyond Good and Evil is the proof. Not since "The Curse of Monkey Island" have I enjoyed such a marvelous game. I have played the game three times now, and every time I start it up, it makes me smile inside. All the elements that make this such a good game are there; a profound story, characters that you actually care about, fun mini-games and races, a world that is so beautiful that you want to be a citizen of Hillys, action and adventure, and a soundtrack that is glorious.

For years, the planet of Hillys has been locked in conflict with a race of alien invaders known as the DomZ. Wary of her government's promises to repel the alien conflict, Jade, a rebellious photojournalist, sets out to capture the truth behind the war. Soon, Jade finds herself in the middle of a horrific government conspiracy involving the elite Alpha Forces secretly aiding in the kidnapping of the citizens of Hillys for the DomZ, who use the abductees as their source of power. She must join a group of rebels who call themselves the Iris Network, in order to save Hillys from annihilation.

This game is truly the best game I have ever played! Like so many who love this game, my only complaint would be that it is too short. It would be very nice if Jade Reporting and company would be able to journey beyond the moon of Hillys. The ending is wonderful, and very compelling (please make the sequel, Ubisoft). I cannot give a higher recommendation to buy this game.

My favorite game, a classic in every sense

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 4
Date: August 07, 2004
Author: Amazon User

The game is a masterpiece. It does everything right. I wish every game were as original and deep as this one.

Beyond Good & Evil is set on the planet Hillys, which is being invaded by the DomZ aliens. The Alpha Sections, the elite forces of the planet, claim to be defending the population, and the majority of the plot focuses around their actions.

You are Jade, an action reporter who, at the beginning of the story, is looking for a new mission. She runs an orphanage at the lighthouse for children whose parent were taken by the DomZ. Unlike the other 90% of female characters in videogames, she is not dressed like a slut. This is quite an accomplishment, as the lack of good female characters is a major problem in the games industry today. It keeps actual women from wanting to play these games, among other things. As I always say, "I would rather identify with a character than ogle them". Jade is not an sex object; she is a fun, interesting character to play.

Jade is not the only character worth mentioning in the game. She has two wonderful sidekicks that help her in her quest, as well. They are not merely meatshields, as in most other games, or one-dimensional, temporary tools, as in The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. They are characters nearly as well-developed as Jade herself. I grew really fond of Uncle Pey'j and Double H, whereas in... _every other game_ sidekicks have been almost entirely annoying and stupid. Besides the sidekicks, there are a number of more minor characters. They were all important in some way, and I remember each and every one of them.

The gameplay of Beyond Good & Evil is what The Legend of Zelda should be. The main gameplay consists of sneaking past guards to take pictures that expose the conspiracy in the game. This may not sound interesting, and it may not involve constant blood and gore, but it is actually quite tense and exciting. You can never quite tell how close you are to being caught. The game is not gory in the least, and if you chose to, you could go through the game hurting only a handful of monsters, robots, and bosses-I don't think there are any points where you are forced to attack a person.

Although the game is short, it is not packed with all of the junk that normally goes into a longer game. In the Zelda series, for instance, about half of each game consists of running errands that have nothing to do with the main plot. Nearly everything in Beyond Good & Evil is plot-central, and there is none of that standard, silly "You must collect eight magical crystals" trash. The plot is extremely engaging and intricate, with a few unexpected twists. The plot is linnear, but you may move throughout most of the world whenever you choose.

The game is full of wonderful, small touches that just scream class. When I was caught by the Alpha Sections for the first time, I was horrified, thinking I would have to start again from my last save point. But I was merely sent back to the beginning of the same small challenge, with a low health. The low-risk environment this game mechanic creates really improves the game, as it encourages experimentation in the world.

Although much of the gameplay resembles that of Zelda, the main challenge of sneaking past guards is only vaguely reminiscent of it. The atmosphere during the stealth areas is highly charged, and never gets boring. What amazes me about this part of the game is how many different puzzles were created using only a few gameplay elements. With only guards, a few lasers, and a handful of other elements, the game contains a staggering number of unique and challenging puzzles, each with multiple solutions. This betrays the great skill of the level designers of Beyond Good & Evil, and the immense amount of time and effort that went into fine-tuning the gameplay.

The primary theme in this game is one of deception. Even after the game ends, you have no way to be sure of who was telling the truth and who was lying. Beyond Good & Evil was originally intended to be the first of a trilogy, but due to its poor sales, it doesn't look like that's going to happen.

If you like endless gore and violence, graphics so realistic they're boring, whorific women with no personalities, nonexistant plots, and boring, cliched gameplay, then maybe Beyond Good & Evil isn't for you. If you would rather play an epic, polished, beautiful work of art full of excitement and character, then this is one of the few games you'll find that delivers it.

This game is the BOMB!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: November 30, 2005
Author: Amazon User

I am not a hard core gamer, but do own over 50 xbox games, and this was one of the best I have ever played! The characters and story line are great! I have played many other highly touted games, i.e. Halo, Halo2 etc. and though different, this game ranks up there with the best! If you have never played it, I highly reccomend that you grab a copy and do! And since it is an older game now, you can also get a great price on it. I would rank this as one of the 5 best games that I have played in all time.

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