Reviews for Beyond Good & Evil

Excellent Game

Strengths: Completely immersive story, great graphics, lots of problem solving

Weakness: Voice "acting" is unintentionally funny at times

I began playing this game after completing a few FPS, so this style of game took a bit of time to get used to. Most of the game is problem solving--a throwback to the original Zelda games. A player can't run at enemies, guns blazing (so to speak). All actions have to be thought through and stealth skills usually win out.
The graphics are beautiful, colors are bright and lush. The player becomes immersed in this world very quickly, thanks in large part to the story, which is one of political corruption.
The game was relatively short--roughly 12-15 hours, however it has left itself open for a sequel (watch the end credits through the end).
The game is worth a play, since most retailers have it for $10 and under. It is worth noting that this same team is also doing the King Kong game (requested by director Peter Jackson after playing Beyond Good & Evil).

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Beyond Good & Evil

Strengths: Immersive Story. Lots of fun to play.

Weakness: Short. Overlooked by the mainstream market.

Beyond Good and Evil is an action adventure game at its finest. It manages to mix all of its elements together for an exceptional experience. Thanks to the terrific storytelling and the unique style you'll be caught up in the game's world. Besides all the action you'll come across charismatic characters and treacherous villians on your adventure.

As reporter Jade, you'll have to use all of your resources to uncover a tyrannical plot and reveal the truth to the world. There's plenty of variety here with elements of stealth, puzzle solving, combat action, and photography. You'll also be able to travel about the world in your hovercraft and jet. Both of which make for some fun vehicular combat sequences.

While all of this blends seamlessly together the actual fighting part can be a bit repetitive as the combat is very simple. But really this is just a small blemish in an otherwise fantastic game.

While the game is short it is packed with fun. Add that to the fact that it can be picked up very cheap and you have an awesome value.

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Great bargain bin game

Strengths: Different types of gameplay. Easy to find for cheap.

Weakness: Too short

If you have not heard it before, Beyond Good and Evil is one of the most overlooked games of previous years and that is a shame. The game successfully mixes different types of gameplay with a well crafted story. The action ranges form driving a hovercraft, picture taking, puzzle solving, whacking enemies with a stick, some stealth, etc. keeps the game from getting too repetitious. Overall this is one bargain bin game worth purchasing.

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underrated

Strengths: great gameplay

Weakness: not very replayable

This has been one of my favorite games for the PS2 and a very underrated game. It is fantastically made and polished and has a nice plot. There is good action and exploration as well as racing and stealth. The plot unfolds nicely. The only problem with the game is that it is somewhat short and not replayable in any regard. The characters are a bit odd so you may be turned off by them but the game is very very good.

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Beyond Good and Evil (PS2)

Strengths: Good voice acting, Good story, Interesting characters, Jade

Weakness: Framerate, length

It's kind of like a cross between Metal Gear Solid and Prince of Persia: Sands of Time, in my opnion. It's got solid, interesting characters and a good story, but "pretty short" is one phrase that comes to mind, and "can't configure the controls" is another. Also, as with most multi-platform games, the PS2 version suffers from the worst graphics, as well as framerate drops during the more intense scenes.

Well, now that I've got the bad stuff out of the way, let me concentrate some more on the good. There's tactical espionage (like Metal Gear) and puzzle-based exploration (like Sands of Time), but it's not overly challenging, nor is it too much of a pain in the butt when you are spotted by enemy guards or when you die (like Metal Gear). When you're spotted, you can just run back a bit while dodging gunfire to reset the puzzle. I think that's nice. When you die, you're plopped back right at the beginning of the puzzle you died at. It's quite forgiving.

Boss battles are cool and remind me of Metal Gear. They're nowhere near as challenging or demanding, but like Metal Gear, each boss is a puzzle, and you've got to work with whatever teammate you have with you (you issue him commands using the triangle button - it's very easy to do) and whatever items you've got up to that point to succeed.

All in all, I think this is a good game. You might want to try getting it for a different platform though, since they probably play a lot more smoothly than the PS2 version does.

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Beyond Good and Evil

Strengths: Innovative gameplay, excellent graphics that immerse you into Jade's world

Weakness: Slowdown, weak storyline

Beyond Good and Evil is one of the most controversial games ever made. After selling poorly and hitting the bargain bins shortly after it's release, it seemed to gather a huge cult following. With it's unique gameplay and charismatic lead character Jade, it's not hard to see why either.

Beyond Good and Evil suffers from quite alot of slowdown and a story that, while initially interesting, becomes predictable and then boring. This is a very cheap game now and worth purchasing to see what all the fuss is about.

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Beyond Good: It's Awesome. No Adventure gamer should...

Strengths: Terrific adventure game, good story, high quality from start to finish.

Weakness: Could have been longer.

Adventure games are in short supply on the Playstation, which makes it even more puzzling that this one didn't do well in the retail sense. Because it has everything going for it.

You play a reporter, Jade, who finds herself deeper and deeper inside a web of political intrigue. The game controls like Zelda, but feels like Zelda done right.

Everything, from the depth of characterization of Jade and the others in her world, to the vehicle battles and fighting engine, is polished and deep. The game may be shorter than Zelda, but it's also more rewarding, less contrived, and free of the typical annoyances of the genre.

In between the exploring and the fighting, Jade can photograph animal species for bonus cash. It's a great way of using her character and drawing the gamer deeper into the world of the game.

There's just so much detail, and little touches everwhere that help make the experience feel like it's taking place in a living, breathing world. Graphics are not the best on the Playstation 2, but they certainly do the job. The voice acting is strong and adds from the story instead of detracting from it (Kya, anyone?).

If you like adventure games, or want a game that will make you think and reward you for it, don't miss Beyond Good and Evil.

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A Great Adventure Game

Strengths: + nice graphics, voice acting. + interesting characters

Weakness: - short

Beyond Good and Evil is a great adventure game. It's one of those games that has a great atmosphere and charming characters. The voice acting is great and really makes the CG models come alive. This is a must play game especially with it's low price tag.

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One of a kind adventure!

Strengths: Incredible universe to explore. Lovable characters. Fantastic gameplay.

Weakness: Somewhat short.

Beyond Good and Evil is one of the most underrated games of last few years. It is an outstanding action/adventure game from Ubisoft with an interesting universe to explore. Along the way you meet interesting characters and and take part in uniquely differnet forms of gameplay. These can range from piloting a hovercraft to taking pictures of the world's many different creatures. The game is similar to the Rachet & Clank and Jax & Daxter type of games but this game feels more unique. There really are no cons for this game except that it ends. The graphics, sound, characters, and gameplay make this game a truely underrated gem. A++

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Beyond Good and Evil

Strengths: Stealth, voice acting, graphics

Weakness: Too short, repetitive

Beyond good and evil is an adventure game similar in style to the Legend of Zelda. You control the heroine, Jade, in an attempt to help thwart alien attacks against your home planet, Hillys.

The game features great graphics and exceptional voice acting. It also features some puzzle solving and some stealth game play, as you often sneak around and knock out guards in order to proceed to the next area or level.

The only drawbacks of the game are that it is short (can beat the game in less than 15 hours) and some of the puzzle solving becomes repetitive. However, I would definitely recommend a purchase; it is a very good game.

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Not too shabby

Strengths: Gampelay, storyline

Weakness: combat, length of game

In beyond good and evil, you are Jade, a reporter trying to uncover the truth. You go around sneaking through the levels trying to uncover the truth while killing people in your way. The combat system is a bit weak and the game is pretty short, but nonetheless it was pretty fun. Definately a good game and for the couple of dollars that it sells for, it's a must buy. Highly recommend!

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Beyond Good & Evil

Strengths: Graphics, sound, gameplay, and world.

Weakness: Some may not like the character designs and theres a tedious stealth segment in the game.

Beyond Good and Evil is an action/adventure game for PS2. You play as Jade a reporter who is out to expose her leaders evil plans for the world. The game ranges from platforming segments to stealth segments. There is one particular stealth segment that is rather boring and tedious that might turnoff people. Overall this game has a great story, good graphics, and a lot of life for a overlooked title.

Give the game 4 stars for being a great overlooked action/adventure game.

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Beyond Good & Evil

Strengths: Superb graphics, sound and story, great adventure game along the lines of Zelda and Star Fox Adventures.

Weakness: Too short, graphics and sound are inferior to the Xbox version.

Beyond Good and Evil is one of those rare games that gets great critical acclaim but tanks at the retail. I remember this game getting high praise before it was released but no one picked it up at launch. I think Ubisoft paniced and decided to immediately lower the price to $19.99 within a couple of weeks. It still didn't sell. Blame it on bad marketing, blame it on a video game that was already too crowded or whatever. The bottom line, is that many gamers missed out on a great game. While I'm not saying it deserves to be ranked amongst the Top 10 games of all time, I'm certainly vouching for it being a near great title. The game is very similar to Zelda, in fact they share the same "lock on" system and the battles feel eerily familiar. There is a ton variety as you'll be battling with your staff, steering a ship in open waters, taking photos and there's even a few stealth elements. The graphics and sound are excellent while the challenging puzzles will keep you playing. It's important to note that the Xbox version features much better graphics and Dolby Digital 5.1. But the PS2 is no slouch either because it still looks and sounds great. I think the bottom line is that it's a solid game that provides a mix of action, adventure, stealth elements. Combine this with a great storyline and you come to realize that aren't too many games in this adventure genre that are as good as BG&E. Too bad the game is only about a 10 hour experience. Hopefully Ubisoft will agree to develop a sequel. Here's hoping!

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Beyond Good & Evil

Strengths: This game has an interesting story and appealing characters. A great game for all ages, that does not depend on violence to drive the gameplay or story. Imaginative and polished.

Weakness: Too short, and some of the controls are difficult to use. Sometimes story can get too complex for younger players. Some slow-down and frame rate problems.

I have been looking forward to this game, ever since Rayman 2. This game provides the gameplay that many action adventure games do not, without using violence. Awesome graphics and appealing characters will make sure that this game will become a cult classic. The music is great and matches the atmosphere very well. Lots of great game-play variety.

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Beyond Good & Evil

Strengths: The best game you're not playing, smart story and characters, mix of stealth and action adventure genres, unique cartoon-based graphics, good voice acting, cheap to purchase

Weakness: Mainstream consumers completely ignored this title, too short for its own good

Beyond Good and Evil came out during the holiday season of 2003, and most people missed out on it due to hype for the many high profile titles coming out then. Gaming magazines and web sites frequently called it "the best game you're not playing" and compared it favorably to the best platforming games of its day, and the title quickly saw its retail price slashed substantially within weeks of its release.

The story, characters and dialog are all top-notch, and the detailed cartoon graphics and quality voice acting give the creatures you meet real character and dimension. The one real problem is that the story comes to an end within 8-10 hours. The subsequent tragedy here is that due to BG&E's poor retail sales a sequel is highly unlikely.

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Beyond Good & Evil

Strengths: Good story, good interface, good challenge yet not frustrating

Weakness: That the game had to end

Beyond Good & Evil is basicly a third-person action adventure game.

Alot of things about the game were just done very well & much better then all or most other games on this genertation of consoles. The whole story in the game is interesting while at the same time is something refreashing & will have elements of humor, intelligence, and humanity in it at times. Another thing they did in the game is you can take pictures which is very much like Pokemon Snap on the Nintendo 64 & you can collect pictures of animals to take back to make money for every animal you find & take a picture of. In short this is a great game with top notch level design which I would recommend to anyone that likes 3D action adventure games such as Zelda.

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Beyond Good & Evil

Strengths: deep storyline

Weakness: weak combat

This game in simple terms in Zelda meets Pokemon Snap, in a evil future. This game features propaganda, and many plot twists. On the other side, gameplay is a mixed bag. Combat seems forced, and the puzzles really aren't that hard. Music is great. A weird note is the entire game is in letterbox. This game is worth the 20 you will find it for.

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Beyond Good & Evil

Strengths: -Good looking - tells a good story =)

Weakness: -Short in nature

This is a game an action gamer would want in his/her collection. The storyline is awesome and the game play is awesome.

With that being said any avid gamer can beat this game within a day or two. So this game won't entertain you for a long period of time.

If you find it for 10 bucks or less, be sure to pick it up. Toys R US recently cleared them out for $4. But your milage may vary (YMMV).

Definitely a must have for an under $10, cheap game.

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Beyond Good & Evil

Strengths: Very innovative gameplay. Colorful graphics and gameworld

Weakness: Progressive scan did not work well for me.

This game is very interesting in the fact that although it has the elements of a good platformer, it also breaks up gameplay by giving you a separate objective of taking photographs of different creatures. This is the most interesting part of the game for me as you go around taking pictures of some of the very creatures you battle.

Regarding my progressive scan issue, I was able to get progressive scan to work, but when starting my first mission, the screen seemed to change modes for a second and when the game came back up it showed the upper right corner of the game screen in the lower left quarter of my TV. BTW, I have a Panasonic 60” LCD Projection television and this may have something particular to do with my set. I am unsure of this and I am uneasy to try the Progressive Scan mode again as my HDTV is very new and I do not wish to damage it. I am not saying this may damage your set, this was just my experience.

I have not yet finished this game, but I look forward to doing so

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Beyond Good & Evil | PS2

Meet Jade. Shes a brunette beauty with an eye for mystery and a camera to uncover it. When the would-be heroines futuristic planet is threatened by aliens, Jade finds herself thrust into the heart of a vicious conspiracy that could stretch to the very top of her government. This stylized, extremely gorgeous third-person action-adventure plays very much like a Zelda game. Jade can explore a huge,...

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Beyond Good & Evil

Beyond Good & Evil receives an overall TopTenREVIEWS rating of 3.58 out of 4.00. It is ranked the #348 game of all time, #16 game of 2003 for the PlayStation 2 and #71 PlayStation 2 game of all time. The rating and ranking is based on an average of 68 critic scores, awards and other criteria. To see a breakdown of the game ranking, read individual critic reviews, or see how other games ranked,...

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Last spring, when the gaming community gathered in LA to celebrate all of the wonderful things to come, there was one multi-platform title that received more attention than any other game. Soul Calibur 2 impressed many, but it was more or less old news. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time rocked the worlds of many attendees, but it wasn't the game either. The most promoted, most talked about game...

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This ambitious project from the creator of Rayman is a bit too far-reaching for its own good.

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Beyond Good and Evil

Armed with her camera and her aikido staff, a determined investigative reporter sets out to expose the secrets of an alien invasion and liberate the minds off the populace of her planet.

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