Beyond Good & Evil

 PlayStation 2
  • Publisher: Ubisoft
  • Release Date: Nov 11, 2003
  • Also On: PC
User Score
8.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 149 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 132 out of 149
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 149
  3. Negative: 5 out of 149
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  1. Mr.E.
    Aug 26, 2006
    10
    One of the best games you didn't played. So play the game already.
  2. AKthaBeast
    May 4, 2018
    10
    The most underrated if not honestly rated game as the story, the gameplay, the design all make this top 10 if not top 5 game of the ps2 era
  3. Kadeemluvmusic
    Jun 7, 2012
    10
    I'm so sad that Beyond Good & Evil wasn't a success when it comes to poor marketing sales. It was the same fate as cult classics such as Psychonauts, Shenmue, MadWorld, and Okami. But when it comes to sci-fi video games, Michael Ancel, creator of the always popular Rayman franchise, set the bar high into a critical darling that every video game has its own side of the story. In Beyond GoodI'm so sad that Beyond Good & Evil wasn't a success when it comes to poor marketing sales. It was the same fate as cult classics such as Psychonauts, Shenmue, MadWorld, and Okami. But when it comes to sci-fi video games, Michael Ancel, creator of the always popular Rayman franchise, set the bar high into a critical darling that every video game has its own side of the story. In Beyond Good & Evil, you get to play a heroic and lovable green-haied reporter named Jade as she and her sidekick, Pey'j are finding out the answers on who is responsible for attacking Hilly's and trying to governed the system for world domination. But now as a photographer, Jade must uncover the secrets and unlock the past as she must solve puzzles, battle countless DomZ, and even earn extra cool items. I think Jade is a phenomenal damsel in distress in Ubisoft's 25th Birthday, and she can do anything whether it's a fight to the finish (don't read this spoiler in the end of the game!) or helping citizens, no one can outmatch her athletic skills and incredible talent. I think Beyond Good & Evil should get a sequel and hopefully as soon as Sony has to make an announcement about the Playstation 4, maybe this is good time to receive a medal of honor for Mr. Ancel. Beyond Good & Evil, Perfect timing, incredible story with voice acting, and fantastic moments. It's one of those games you have to play if you still own a PS2.… Expand
  4. igor-qwe
    Mar 21, 2013
    8
    A game is not a bottle of wine, and with time it does not get better. Sometimes it takes only a year or two to say, that a game is not appropriate for this time. Having read many reviews about "Beyond Good & Evil" and having watched trailers for its sequel I was eager to play this classic. The version that I played was HD remake that was released in PSN for PS3. After playing for an hourA game is not a bottle of wine, and with time it does not get better. Sometimes it takes only a year or two to say, that a game is not appropriate for this time. Having read many reviews about "Beyond Good & Evil" and having watched trailers for its sequel I was eager to play this classic. The version that I played was HD remake that was released in PSN for PS3. After playing for an hour I realized, that I had a feeling of my time being wasted, because I just could not get into the game. Don't get me wrong, I watched much videos and read discussions that claimed, that the fans of the original were happy with remake. But after playing dozens of games that were released for the last TEN years (yeah, that's how much time had passed since the game's release date) it is difficult to appreciate any aspect of the game. "Beyond Good & Evil" has good story, nice characters, various gameplay, but it is history now. History that I missed ten years ago and can't enjoy nowadays.… Expand
  5. KillaRiku
    Jul 30, 2016
    9
    I first played it on the PC but couldn't get quite into it. But then replayed it on the PS2 and Gamecube and it was seriously one of the best gaming experience of my older days. Really great soundtrack (and that comes from a picky musician), awesome story, really smooth gameplay and enough variety between Vehicular Battles, Battles on Land, Stealth, Races, Puzzles, Minigames, etc. that youI first played it on the PC but couldn't get quite into it. But then replayed it on the PS2 and Gamecube and it was seriously one of the best gaming experience of my older days. Really great soundtrack (and that comes from a picky musician), awesome story, really smooth gameplay and enough variety between Vehicular Battles, Battles on Land, Stealth, Races, Puzzles, Minigames, etc. that you won't get bored. If you have 10 Bucks left and don't know what to do with it, get this game you won't regret it.… Expand
  6. toto07
    Jul 1, 2020
    8
    Je l'ai pri comme le classique qu'il est devenu et j'ai été déçu, j'en attendais trop en pensant qu'il pouvait me plaire parce qu'il a plu et plait toujours à un public.
    Déçu mais bercé est surpris. C'est un bon jeu.
    Sur ps2, il y a quelques points qui font vraiment tâches; - un bug de son, qui se répète comme par exemple le bruit d'un interrupteur, jusqu'à reload du jeu ou changement    Je l'ai pri comme le classique qu'il est devenu et j'ai été déçu, j'en attendais trop en pensant qu'il pouvait me plaire parce qu'il a plu et plait toujours à un public.
    Déçu mais bercé est surpris. C'est un bon jeu.

    Sur ps2, il y a quelques points qui font vraiment tâches;
    - un bug de son, qui se répète comme par exemple le bruit d'un interrupteur, jusqu'à reload du jeu ou changement de zone
    - les contrôles pour la caméra, intensément horrible.

    Lorsqu'on commence le jeu, on est très vite amener à s'attacher à l'univers, à découvrir les bêtes qui le peuplent, et à écouter les personnages super colorés, avec une personnalité particulière parfois un peu cliché, et ça c'est le point fort du jeu, l'univers et ces personnages. J'adore la vf, j'adore Pey'j, les rhinos reggae m'ont foutu à terre. Tout ca est saupoudré d'une bande son pas piqué des hannetons franchement trop sympa, discrète et fantastique, comme son univers.
    La zone de jeu n'est pas particulièrement grande et pourtant à un certains moment je me suis demandais comment ils avaient fait pour mettre autant de détails sans chargement, c'est très bien pour de la ps2.
    Le scénario ne m'a pas fracassé, je l'ai trouvé simpliste, plutôt intriguant mais il fallait s'y attendre pour un jeu d'action-aventure jeunesse.

    Là où le mat blesse, c'est le gameplay, réduit à un simple martelage du bouton X (ps2) pour le combat, avec une attaque spécial de la part du pnj accompagnant, les phases de furtivité m'ont fait chier, je me suis ennuyé.
    Les parties sympas du gameplay c'est le journalisme, et la prise de photo des espèces d'Hyllis, et des preuves à prendre en clicher, simplifié un max. Les minis jeux sont eux super (course, palais).
    Jeu d'action-aventure oblige, on a quelques phases de puzzles (simples) et de plateformes (sympas).
    La non spécialisation du genre action-aventure sa passe pas ici, pour moi rien est assez fignolé.
    Ah oui aussi, avant le combat final, préparez vous un max de bonbons, parce que c'est difficile.

    C'est un beau, bon jeu, et j'attends bien plus sa suite maintenant. Mais je n'arriverais pas à justifier sa "classic game" catégorie.    … Expand
  7. AngelaS.
    Apr 25, 2007
    10
    It´s absolutely the best game I have ever played! The Story, the scenarios, the music, are simply wonderful and inspiring! I can´t wait for a sequel!
  8. KarlZ.
    Dec 13, 2005
    10
    Best "Action/Adventure" game to date, at least for those annoyed by too much Action in their Adventures. Perhaps my favorite computer game of all time, but First Person Shooters bore me stiff in no time flat.
  9. DanM.
    Feb 7, 2004
    9
    I bought this game very cheap for the hell of it. I started reading reviews for it and a lot of them said it was like Final Fantasy and Legend of Zelda, games I don't tend to have to much fun with. So I was reluctant to play it, but when I finally did I was pleasantly surprised. It's very fun and engaging. The battle system is very good and taking pictures of various species is I bought this game very cheap for the hell of it. I started reading reviews for it and a lot of them said it was like Final Fantasy and Legend of Zelda, games I don't tend to have to much fun with. So I was reluctant to play it, but when I finally did I was pleasantly surprised. It's very fun and engaging. The battle system is very good and taking pictures of various species is very fun. I don't like the graphical style too much, I think it would have benefitted from a style kinda like Dark Cloud 2. Hopefully they will make a sequel to this great game and hopefully more people will discover it. It's really cheap, I got mine for $18 at EB, so I suggest that anyone looking for a good adventure game check this out, you won't be disappointed.… Expand
  10. MattyU!
    May 9, 2005
    8
    This is a great adventure game - good story, looks great, and has good gameplay mechanics. My only gripes are that it is a bit too easy (geared towards a younger audience perhaps) and certainly too short. But if you find it used, it's a fantastic game to just pick up and play.
  11. JonS.
    Dec 10, 2003
    7
    This game is by far the best adventure game I've played in a long time. It's like Zelda and Final Fantasy had a child and gave it a camera. It's just a same that it runs so poorly on the PS2. It's almost as if ubisoft never tried to play it themselves. I "must purchase" title... for another system.
  12. EduardoR.
    Jan 12, 2004
    10
    I must admit that when I say the main character holding a camera on the cover, I really thought this was not going to be a good game. I couldn't be more wrong, this is a very engaging game, very cool mini-games, awesome combat system and the best part, a really cool story. If you are looking for a cool action adventure game with a touch of cartoonish graphics and; then this is your I must admit that when I say the main character holding a camera on the cover, I really thought this was not going to be a good game. I couldn't be more wrong, this is a very engaging game, very cool mini-games, awesome combat system and the best part, a really cool story. If you are looking for a cool action adventure game with a touch of cartoonish graphics and; then this is your game. I must admit thought that the game may slow down a little bit at times, but is so little it doesn't affect the game flow. … Expand
  13. ScottS.
    Jan 7, 2004
    8
    Beat this game in 3 days, fun while it lasted some of the puzzles were a little wierd and there was no notion on where you were supposed to go, overall the game ended well and was worth the short time i spent with it.
  14. Wackyman
    Jan 9, 2004
    10
    Excellent experience.
  15. TysonB.
    Feb 12, 2004
    9
    I think this game is awesome, even the previews and demos are awesome. Just a little too expensive though.
  16. darkflame
    Mar 23, 2004
    10
    Superb Game, LBA and Zelda combined with racing and stealth added into it. Wonderfull Landscape to explore, huge replaybility and cool story. You will be sad when its over.
  17. RonnieW.
    Mar 6, 2004
    10
    Excellent!! the use of the stealth is marvellous!!! 10/10
  18. JivanA.
    Oct 25, 2005
    10
    EXCELLENT GAME! Is a cross between the greatest of adventure games, plays smoothly and has an amazing storyline! Pray for a sequel, there's a petition running around the gamefaqs forums, sign today!
  19. x
    Jan 3, 2006
    9
    the game is a couple years old now but watching my 12 year old daughter immerse herself and really play her way through makes me realize what an all around winner this title is. hardcore gamers complained about its relative ease and short playing time but not all games are for the hardest of the hardcore, nor should they be.
  20. ToddH
    May 9, 2008
    9
    A very engrossing game with a good blend of action and stealth, a great musical score, good pacing, and great integration of plotlines. Difficulty varies in places from a bit too easy to teeth-gnashing difficult (until you get the "trick"), and the game sadly is a bit short, but a pair of set-piece action sequences are handled beautifully and alone are worth the price of admission. Highly A very engrossing game with a good blend of action and stealth, a great musical score, good pacing, and great integration of plotlines. Difficulty varies in places from a bit too easy to teeth-gnashing difficult (until you get the "trick"), and the game sadly is a bit short, but a pair of set-piece action sequences are handled beautifully and alone are worth the price of admission. Highly recommended, and an absolute no-brainer at its bargin bin price.… Expand
  21. darkflame
    Mar 23, 2004
    10
    Superb Game, LBA and Zelda combined with racing and stealth added into it. Wonderfull Landscape to explore, huge replaybility and cool story. You will be sad when its over.
  22. AmandaS.
    Jan 12, 2005
    10
    After my dad bought this game, i fell in love with the game, I played everyday, I had fun, if you play the game for enjoying and not winning, then you'll have alot of fun!!!!! some people on boards ask other people how to get this thing, i forgot the na,e, its by colletcting all perls, they dont know because they played it four times and dont know that, also at the top of the After my dad bought this game, i fell in love with the game, I played everyday, I had fun, if you play the game for enjoying and not winning, then you'll have alot of fun!!!!! some people on boards ask other people how to get this thing, i forgot the na,e, its by colletcting all perls, they dont know because they played it four times and dont know that, also at the top of the volcano, awaits millions of pearls, ti get there eran it preals at reaces, games (air hokey at the bar),and have fun, then buy all equipment at mamago garage, and then you buy the flying thing and fly and land in the volcano, ill shut up so i dont ruin it! But again, its a great hame, i love it!!!! Its my all time favourite! I cant wait for the second one, it must be sad fight ing her own u- a, on second thought ill shut up! but #2 sounds good! i cant wait!!!!… Expand
  23. KalumY.
    Nov 17, 2003
    8
    Graphics and the gameplay are not very outstanding. however, obtaining credits and pearls from taking pictures makes u want to carry on the game. various scenes and species won't let u bored.
  24. Rox22
    Jan 31, 2013
    8
    Probably one of the most underrated games of its generation. Truly a great classic that deserved more attention. Great visuals, fun gameplay and some genuinely unique characters. A game that was perhaps a bit ahead of its time.
  25. Cherryxld
    Nov 22, 2014
    10
    Beyond Good and Evil es un juego que te entretiene desde que empieza hasta que termina, con una historia interesante, curiosa y que contiene mucha diversidad.
  26. tofusoup
    Nov 15, 2014
    10
    This is one of my top 10 games of all time. Everyone should play it. Good mix of gameplay, and a great story. Here's hoping for a sequel. I also reviewed the PC version but had a lot of issues with it. It's not bad but I would definitely play it on console.
  27. DannySt
    Oct 14, 2015
    9
    I can't believe why Beyond Good & Evil didn't get the attention it should've had when it was released. The story is amazing, it feels like a kid's cartoon show. A really good kids cartoon show. The music is breathtaking, and the graphics and gameplay are both solid. This game invoked my inner animal friend, as I went out of my way to find every last animal species in the game andI can't believe why Beyond Good & Evil didn't get the attention it should've had when it was released. The story is amazing, it feels like a kid's cartoon show. A really good kids cartoon show. The music is breathtaking, and the graphics and gameplay are both solid. This game invoked my inner animal friend, as I went out of my way to find every last animal species in the game and photograph them.

    Without spoiling anything for you, I implore you try find a copy this game. You won't be disappointed.    … Expand
  28. KayVen17
    Jan 4, 2017
    9
    Deutsche Review - Kritik

    Der folgende Test ist in 5 Kategorien zusammengefasst. Diese 5 Kartegorien ergeben die Gesamtpunktzahl von 0 - 100 Punkten. Um einen passenden Userscore zu geben wird auf oder abgerundet. Bei 84 Punkten ergibt das einen User Score von 8. Bei 86 einen von Userscore von 9. Falls eine 85 kommt entscheide ich ob ich es eher positiv oder negativ nehme. Regeln    Deutsche Review - Kritik

    Der folgende Test ist in 5 Kategorien zusammengefasst. Diese 5 Kartegorien ergeben die Gesamtpunktzahl von 0 - 100 Punkten. Um einen passenden Userscore zu geben wird auf oder abgerundet. Bei 84 Punkten ergibt das einen User Score von 8. Bei 86 einen von Userscore von 9. Falls eine 85 kommt entscheide ich ob ich es eher positiv oder negativ nehme. Regeln verstanden?
    Dann sind hier meine Punkte.

    Mein persönlicher Score = 86/100
    Mein User Score = 9/10    … Expand
  29. sparrowuckdude
    Nov 5, 2018
    10
    if you do not like this game you probably have no soul
    it's super fun and so well made
  30. Patajullo
    Aug 18, 2020
    9
    Uno de esos juegos que se me quedo atrás. Una joya para 2003, lo tiene todo, buena historia, buena música, buenas animaciones, buenos modelados, etc… encima la cantidad y variedad de mecánicas jugables son exquisitas, carreras, puzzles, investigación, plataformas, exploración, etc .. si no lo jugaste estas tardando
  31. Eltiko
    Dec 22, 2019
    10
    No games from this era even comes close to this game. The well-planned and -constructed game gives you both old and new memories for old and new gamers. No reason to play something else, even in 2019. Graphics are of course beaten by now, but the story is what matters, especially in old games, which new games lack very much on. Ubisoft really made a complex story that many developers toNo games from this era even comes close to this game. The well-planned and -constructed game gives you both old and new memories for old and new gamers. No reason to play something else, even in 2019. Graphics are of course beaten by now, but the story is what matters, especially in old games, which new games lack very much on. Ubisoft really made a complex story that many developers to this day cant achieve something similar to this game. Three words to describe the game: Story-driven, beautiful and intense. Looking forward to the long-awaited prequel!… Expand
  32. LeaLawliet
    Apr 11, 2020
    10
    Truly ahead of it's time. I still enjoy the game today. Well-written characters, an amazing story, fun and diverse gameplay that involved combat, photography, driving and a bunch of minigames. It had so much to offer. The world and the graphics are still beautiful today. I played this as a child and even 16 years later, I still love this to death.
  33. Ayou3
    Jul 21, 2020
    10
    This game is something poetic, something wonderful and fascinating, something difficult to explain in simple words. This is a unique work of art, a game that can touch your soul like no other.

    Let's start from the premise that I can say with confidence that yes! Beyond good & Evil is my absolute favourite video game without a shadow of a doubt. I consider this game as the most    This game is something poetic, something wonderful and fascinating, something difficult to explain in simple words. This is a unique work of art, a game that can touch your soul like no other.

    Let's start from the premise that I can say with confidence that yes! Beyond good & Evil is my absolute favourite video game without a shadow of a doubt. I consider this game as the most underrated game in game history. Because of the love I feel for this game, it is difficult for me to write a review trying to express all the immense qualities that this game contains.

    The soundtrack of this game are together with the atmosphere and setting the most wonderful thing in this game, in fact this work is composed in my opinion by the best soundtrack I've ever heard in a video game, a soundtrack composed by unique tracks able to convey unique and indelible emotions to the player. the setting is simply unique and unforgettable, it's almost a mixture between the world of fairy tales and the fantasy/futuristic one. The atmosphere of the game instead is of an absolute calm almost wanting to convey a sense of mystery, immensity, wonder, peace and contemplation. the gameplay is a hybrid that combines stages of combat, stealth and free roaming with the Hovercraft and the Beluga, the best part of the Gameplay in my opinion are the photos, in fact Jade (protagonist of the game) has the ability to take pictures of all creatures of the planet in exchange for compensation in-game.

    I must say that there is a lot to say I limited myself to a mini introduction of a work in my opinion massive. I hope the game will one day have the success it deserves, as it is one of the most beautiful experiences I have ever had.    … Expand
  34. GDsReviews
    Jun 7, 2022
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Beyond Good and Evil by Ubisoft is a true hidden gem that is grossly underrated, and easily one of the greatest games ever made. The soundtrack is excellent and varied, ranging from orchestrated peaceful classical to tension filled rock and metal, with even a few lyrical tracks sung in Spanish. The voice acting is fantastic. And the story is a masterful epic, brilliantly timeless, and still extremely relevant to this day in risking your life to expose and overthrow an authoritarian regime.

    This is topped off by one of the most exceptionally rare and powerful protagonists ever in a muckracking warrior reporter woman of color in Jade. You almost never see fictional characters like Jade, and that is what makes this game such a joy and refreshing experience to play. It may look and feel archaic now with a camera and film roll, and hordes of disks and disk players, but it is such a masterpiece and the mechanics are so well done that they are don’t detract from the experience at all. In some cases, it enhances it as it makes Jade’s tasks feel more daunting and dangerous, especially when it involves infiltrating deep into an authoritarian regime.

    The game starts out on Jade’s sanctuary lighthouse on Hyllis before an attack from above by the DomZ alien rulers destroys all peace. You have to take care of it on your home turf before rescuing your adaptive Uncle in a cantankerous and brutally honest pig in Pay’J (Pronounced “Paige”). Pay’J is your main partner for the first half of the game. The Alpha Sections and Media arrive too late to see Jade and Pay’J beat the DomZ monster, but still want a publicity shot that both Jade and especially Pay’J plainly see through. (This sets the tone for the rest of the game.) At this point, you and Pay’J are short on badly needed cash to get going. So you get the gig to take photos of all the creatures on the planet for the Science Center with cash prizes for every new creature found. Leaving home begins with reading a mysterious disk made by an agent named Mr. De Castellac, who offers a massive reward for catching a mysterious creature on Black Isle.

    However, completing the Black Isle mission is where the real story starts. Mr. De Castellac turns out is actually agent Hahn of the IRIS Network, an underground rebel movement that is honestly more of a rights watchdog group than anything else, exposing the dirty truth on the Alpha Sections and their great conspiracy with the DomZ rulers. From this point on, Jade is the muckraker tasked with exposing the great Alpha Sections/DomZ conspiracy to the masses. Along the way, she will race, sneak, and fight to uncover the truth and free the planet, rescuing your partner for the second half of the game in IRIS Agent Double H just shy of the halfway point in the process.

    At the start of the IRIS mission right after completing Black Isle, the Alpha Sections leader General Kehck is pumping out propaganda with no resistance in the city. But as you get deeper and deeper into the game and take more and more muckraking photos, more citizen dissent and protesters start popping up, along with more and more Alpha Section forces and increasingly more targeted and acidic propaganda from General Kehck.

    Everything building up from the first three acts spills over completely in the fourth and final act of the game. This final act starts out with the Governor of Hyllis meeting in the underground IRIS Den, with a special distress call from your captive Uncle Pay’J. His distress call notes he is imprisoned on Hyllis’ Moon Selene with scores of other Hyllians, and to rebuild the Beluga to destroy the DomZ base on the moon. it is your task to find and rebuild the Beluga for the final lunar mission and act of the game. Once rebuilt, you pilot the Beluga into space towards Selene and the DomZ base. A series of twists and revelations happens in this final part, including an epic 5 part final boss fight. Beating this final boss reveals Jade’s true power, the demise of the DomZ/Alpha Section occupation of Hyllis, the staff roll, and a cliffhanger tragic ending for Pay’J.

    Upon beating it, my first feeling was to replay the whole game from start to finish again. This is one of those rare games where the story and characters are crafted so well that you really feel it emotionally from the heroism of the heroes, to the oozing pure evil of the villains. A true hidden gem that is so excellent, you haven’t seen all of gaming (never mind Ubisoft) until you play this game.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

23
#23 Best PS2 Game of 2003
45
#45 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2003
18
#18 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2003

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
86

Generally favorable reviews - based on 45 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 44 out of 45
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 45
  3. Negative: 0 out of 45
  1. Into Liquid Sky
    91
    A wonderful experience that tells a fine story. While the game can be completed in anywhere from 10 to 12 hours, the pacing feels just right. If you were ever remotely interested in an adventure title without the words "Legend and Zelda" in it, Beyond Good and Evil is the first title you should check out.
    Read full review
  2. GMR Magazine
    90
    Every now and then, however, you strike solid gold, and if "Super Mario 64" is videogaming's "A Hard Day's Night," then Beyond Good & Evil is surely its "Let it Be." [Dec 2003, p.98]
    Read full review
  3. Inside Gamer Online
    86
    It is a wonderful title that exudes both charming beauty in its lush aesthetics and sophisticated brilliance in its streamlined, accessible gameplay.
    Read full review
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