As per a tech analysis published by Digital Foundry, results are somewhat mixed. Beyond Good and Evil 20th Anniversary Edition does tend to run at 4K and 60 FPS in its resolution on PS5 and Xbox Series X for most of the time, though there are some instances where its frame rate drips noticeably- and, due to its usage of a double-buffer style v-sync, drops all the way to 30 FPS, making it that much more jarring.

The report goes on to state that the performance mode on offer, which drops the resolution down to 1440p, does see far fewer frame rate drops, but doesn’t manage to eliminate them entirely, which means it’s not a flawless upgrade from a technical perspective. On Xbox Series S, interestingly enough, the game game only runs at 1440p and 60 FPS and still suffers from occasional but drastic frame rate dips, with no 30 FPS option being present.

Beyond Good and Evil 20th Anniversary Edition is available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Read our review of the remaster through here.

Now, however, celebrating the original game’s two-decade anniversary (which actually happened last November), Ubisoft has released Beyond Good and Evil 20th Anniversary Edition, an enhanced remaster of the beloved cult classic, bringing it to modern platforms with updated visuals, quality-of-life improvements, a new coat of polish, and some new bits and pieces of content. And though Beyond Good and Evil undoubtedly does show its age in some ways, this is ultimately a solid remaster of what is still largely a great game. Whether you’re a returning fan or someone who has never experienced the original, Beyond Good and Evil 20th Anniversary Edition is well worth checking out.

"Whether you’re a returning fan or someone who has never experienced the original, Beyond Good and Evil 20th Anniversary Edition is well worth checking out."

You play as Jade, a human on the alien planet of Hillys, where in addition to running an orphanage of sorts where she fosters several children with her uncle, the pig-like Uncle Pey’j, she also works as a part-time reporter. The story revolves around an invading alien force in the form of the DomZ, as well as conspiracies surrounding the militaristic dictatorship of the Alpha Sector, who may just be in bed with the DomZ themselves, with Jade working with the underground resistance movement known as the IRIS Network and attempting to both overthrow Alpha Sector and defeat the DomZ.

Beyond Good and Evil’s rich world was one of its biggest strengths when it launched two decades ago, and that’s still true today. The story that it tells is a compelling one in its own right, thanks in large part to an endearing cast of characters, generally strong writing and voice acting performances, and oodles of charm, but what really helps the game stand out in a narrative sense is its setting. The planet is Hillys is a melting pot of groups and cultures, and it’s ever so vibrant and visually diverse. It’s also got more thematic depth than you would expect from a game that is, on the surface, so colourful, with things such as the flavour text, conversations with characters, NPC chatter, and even the main story itself often touching upon hefty themes- and doing a pretty good job of roping them into the main story.

Something else that helps the planet of Hillys and its environs come alive is the game’s visual style and how good it looks. Even back in the day, Beyond Good and Evil’s graphics stood out not because of their level of detail or fidelity, but their strong art design and aesthetic. That’s still very much the case, as is evidenced in a game world that’s brimming with strong, vibrant colours and varied sights to see, all of which comes together to lend the game a great sense of place and personality.

With its 20th Anniversary Edition release, the game has, of course, also seen some technical enhancements, most of which work out well, too. Running at 4K and 60 FPS, it’s mostly a solid and consistent performer, with some technical hiccups coming in the form of the occasional frame rate drop, or textures on characters’ faces or skins looking like they’re a bit too detailed for a game that otherwise looks ultimately like a 20-year old game that it is. Beyond that, however, everything has been touched up nicely, and the remaster does a great job of making everything look sharper and crisper while still retaining the original game’s distinct aesthetic.

"Beyond Good and Evil’s rich world was one of its biggest strengths when it launched two decades ago, and that’s still true today."

From a gameplay perspective, Beyond Good and Evil feels like a slightly more aged experience than it does from a graphics viewpoint, though ultimately still one that’s worth diving into. In essence, the game is structured somewhat similar to a classic Zelda game, with a semi-open hub world leading players to several dungeons that you tackle sequentially, while also tackling some side quests, optional areas, exploration, and more in the hub itself. Moment-to-moment, the game blends simplistic combat, puzzle solving, stealth, and exploration, with a significant chunk of the gameplay experience also revolving around a photography mechanic.

Equipped with her camera, Jade can click photos of any and all creatures, animals, and enemies she comes across, which in turn nets her with credits that can be used to purchase upgrades and consumables. Another crucial currency is pearls, which are gained by defeating bosses, completing main quests, and the like, and are used to both purchase upgrades for the speedboat that Jade uses to traverse the water-filled hub world, or unlock new areas to explore. As you might imagine with a game that’s as old as Beyond Good and Evil is now, there are some parts of this core loop that still work, and others that haven’t quite aged as well.

Take, for instance, the photography, which is still an absolute blast. Coming into any new area is always exciting, because finding new plants, animals, species, and what have you to photograph and catalog always feels equally enjoyable and rewarding. Even in the middle of combat, I made it a point to always get some distance from whatever new enemies I was taking on so I could click a clear picture of them. Maybe it’s the Metroid Prime scanning fan in me, but anytime a game has a mechanic like that, it’s bound to sink its hooks into me.

Exploration, as such, feels rewarding as well. A lot of that is, of course, down to the solid design, with paths that weave in and around each other to create shortcuts and loops, all with a decent dose of branching pathways, hidden rooms, and what have you. Even though most of the areas you’ll find yourself in are pretty constrained and focused in their design, they feel appropriately dense, so that it never feels like the game is trying to discourage exploration. Whether you’re driving your speedboat out in the hub world of Hillys, or trudging through one of the game’s dungeons, exploration always remains fun.

"As you might imagine with a game that’s as old as Beyond Good and Evil is now, there are some parts of the core gameplay loop that still work, and others that haven’t quite aged as well."

Other parts of the experience, however, feel like products of their time, where the gameplay side of things is concerned. Combat, for instance, is a bit too barebones and straightforward, to the point of almost not being engaging in the slightest, with the exception of some boss fights. Stealth, too, is often frustrating, thanks in equal measure to annoying enemy AI and strange design choices with the arenas you’re skulking through. Beyond that, simple movement itself can often feel a bit clunky, whether that’s because of floaty platforming mechanics, animations that are often sluggish, or a camera that, despite quality-of-life improvements, can be a bit frustrating at times.

There is, ultimately, a lot to like in Beyond Good and Evil 20th Anniversary Edition yet. I haven’t even mentioned its new speedrun mode, or its new galleries, which include artwork and behind-the-scenes development insights, among other things, or the re-orchestrated soundtrack, or even the new treasure hunt that has narrative ties to the supposedly-still-in-development Beyond Good and Evil 2. This is obviously not a full-fledged remake, but it is definitely a more comprehensive remaster than you maybe would have expected. How long it’ll be before Ubisoft finally gets its act together and releases the long-awaited sequel is anyone’s best guess, but for fans of the original, or those who never got the chance to check it out but are interested in doing so, Beyond Good and Evil 20th Anniversary Edition comes strongly recommended.

This game was reviewed on the PlayStation 5.

Beyond Good and Evil 20th Anniversary Edition offers several new features and options to go with the critically acclaimed plot and gameplay. There are now auto-saves, a speedrun mode, an option to skip the cutscenes, remappable controls, keyboard and mouse support, updated Achievements and Trophies and even cross-save support. It also improves the presentation with 4K and 60 FPS support, not to mention a reorchestrated soundtrack.

Long-time fans can also look forward to development videos and details from behind the scenes that haven’t been unveiled till now. If that weren’t enough, it also features a new mission – a treasure hunt – that links to Beyond Good and Evil 2 (which Ubisoft affirmed is still in development since its re-announcement in 2017).

As mentioned on its official website, Beyond Good and Evil 20th Anniversary Edition is going to feature an exclusive, new mission that will tie into Beyond Good and Evil 2. Specifically, players will “learn more about Jade’s childhood and her link to Beyond Good and Evil 2” on a new treasure hunt.

What exactly that means for Beyond Good and Evil 2 itself remains to be seen. In the years that have passed since its announcement, little to no updates have been offered on it. Though Ubisoft has insisted that the game remains in the works, reports have spoken about its many development issues, reboots, delays, and what have you.

Allegedly, as of 2022, the project was still “years away” from being released. A recent report claimed that Ubisoft has had a new trailer ready for the game for “about a year”, though the game was not part of the lineup of titles showcased at the Ubisoft Forward event earlier this month.

Meanwhile, Beyond Good and Evil 20th Anniversary Edition launches on June 25 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

Ubisoft has announced that Beyond Good and Evil 20th Anniversary Edition is releasing next week, on June 25. The remaster will feature support for 4K and 60 FPS, a reorchestrated soundtrack, quality of life features such as autosaves, cross-saves, and the ability to skip cutscenes, and more. Also included are never before seen behind-the-scenes development videos and content chronicling the game’s development.

There’s also a new speedrun mode, updated Achievements/Trophies, remapped controls, full keyboard and mouse support, and more. Interestingly, the remaster will also include a completely new, exclusive mission that will tie into Beyond Good and Evil 2. Read more on that through here.

Upon its launch, Beyond Good and Evil 2 will be available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

Smile for the camera 📸

You’ll be able to relive Jade’s adventures in Beyond Good & Evil – 20th Anniversary Edition, coming June 25! pic.twitter.com/xzubaKSDYI

— Ubisoft (@Ubisoft) June 20, 2024

It also addressed the special edition mistakenly becoming available to “some” Ubisoft+ subscribers. However, it’s an “early development version” not indicative of the final game. Ubisoft said it’s committed to “making it an experience that truly honors the legacy of the original.”

Though the Xbox Store listing is gone, it outlined 4K/60 FPS support, autosaving, cross-save, an Anniversary Gallery discussing the game’s development and secrets, and a speedrun mode. There will also be improvements to the graphics, audio and controls.

Beyond Good and Evil 20th Anniversary Edition’s platforms haven’t been confirmed, but an ESRB listing from August noted a release on PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Perhaps a trailer will be showcased at The Game Awards on December 7th. Stay tuned for updates in the meantime.

Well, looks like the cat’s out of the bag, dagnammit. Happy 20th anniversary to Beyond Good & Evil! While we cannot wait to show you more about this special edition, more news to come in early 2024! pic.twitter.com/cNxHGTnmdU

— Beyond Good and Evil 2 (@bgegame) November 29, 2023

An early development version of Beyond Good & Evil 20th Anniversary Edition was recently released to some Ubisoft+ subscribers by mistake. We apologize for any confusion and want to assure our community that this version is not indicative of the final game.

— Beyond Good and Evil 2 (@bgegame) November 29, 2023

As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of Beyond Good & Evil, our commitment to delivering a game that meets the high expectations of our fans is unwavering.

— Beyond Good and Evil 2 (@bgegame) November 29, 2023

We're excited to announce that the official launch is set for early 2024, and we're dedicated to making it an experience that truly honors the legacy of the original. Thank you for your understanding and continued support.

— Beyond Good and Evil 2 (@bgegame) November 29, 2023

Not only has the fill list of Xbox Achievements for the release gone live on Exophase, an Xbox Store listing for the title also recently went up (spotted by ResetEra user Buttonbasher). Though the listing was promptly taken down, it revealed details such as support for 4K and 60 FPS, as well as improvements to graphics, controls, and audio, and the addition of features like autosaving and cross-save functionality.

Also mentioned in the listing were a new speedrun mode, and an “anniversary gallery” where players will be able to “learn more about the game’s development and secrets”. Meanwhile, the listing also included screenshots showcasing the enhanced re-release’s graphical enhancements. You can view the images below.

As if that weren’t enough, as spotted by Twitter user @Cheevo_Guides, the anniversary edition re-release was also briefly playable on Xbox consoles via Ubisoft+ (though that no longer seems to be the case). It certainly looks like an announcement and release for the title are around the corner. Could we be looking at an official confirmation at The Game Awards on December 7?

As for what platforms Beyond Good and Evil 20th Anniversary Edition will be available on, though that’s yet to be officially confirmed, as per its aforementioned ESRB rating, it will release for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

As spotted by Gematsu, Beyond Good and Evil 20th Anniversary Edition has been rated by the ESRB, suggesting that Ubisoft could be gearing up for a re-release of the 2003 action-adventure title. As per the rating, the game will release for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Nintendo Switch, and PC. The original Beyond Good and Evil’s 20th anniversary is coming up on November 11, so there’s a good chance this re-release ends up getting officially unveiled and released in the coming weeks.

As for Beyond Good and Evil 2, the game remains as much of a question mark as ever. Six years on from its original announcement, it’s still struggling with a litany of behind-the-scenes issues, reboots, delays, and what have you, and looks to be no closer to coming out anytime soon, to say the least. Perhaps a re-release of the original title will placate Beyond Good and Evil fans at least a tiny bit in a sequel’s continued absence.

OKAMI

Okami is one of the best games Capcom has ever put out – and looking at their impressive catalog of games over the years, that’s no small praise. With its beautiful aesthetic, its engaging gameplay, and fantastic design, it stands out as one of the best games on every system it is playable on. That said, the sales of the game were nowhere near as good as that sort of praise warrants, with only a little over half a million units sold in three years. Hopefully, Capcom decides to give this property another shot, and hopefully, that hypothetical sequel sells better than its predecessor.

]]> https://gamingbolt.com/13-amazing-ps2-games-that-flopped-commercially/feed 0 421202 https://gamingbolt.com/15-amazing-games-that-flopped-commercially https://gamingbolt.com/15-amazing-games-that-flopped-commercially#respond Fri, 13 Sep 2019 07:39:35 +0000 https://gamingbolt.com/?p=414873 Like with any other entertainment medium, video game sales aren’t always reflective of their quality. Often, we see great games coming out to widespread praise from critics and audiences alike that somehow manage to not sell very well. Sadly, it’s something that happens quite a lot, and in this feature, we’ll be taking a look at fifteen such games.

DEUS EX: MANKIND DIVIDED

Deus Ex: Mankind Divided ruffled some feathers with its abrupt ending, but no one could doubt that it was a great game. It built on the complex systemic moment-to-moment action from Human Revolution, offering players diverse choices in how they wanted to tackle any given objective, and all in all, was more than just a solid package. Sadly, at launch, the game’s sells fell below expectations, and Square Enix ended up putting the franchise on ice. Both Square Enix and Eidos Montreal have said on multiple occasions that the Deus Ex series isn’t done yet, so let’s just hope a sequel isn’t too far away (but it most likely is).