When Beyond Good & Evil launched in 2003, it was an anomaly—ambitious, cinematic, and emotionally resonant in an era dominated by action-heavy power fantasies. Two decades later, Ubisoft has returned the cult classic with a 20th Anniversary Edition that doesn’t just remaster the original but celebrates its legacy. But how well does it stand up in 2025?
A Timeless Narrative with Fresh Relevance
The story of Jade—a photojournalist and resistance fighter uncovering a government conspiracy—remains one of the most narratively bold in Ubisoft’s catalog. The themes of propaganda, resistance, and media manipulation are arguably more relevant now than they were in 2003.
What sets Beyond Good & Evil apart is how it balances tone. The world of Hillys is vibrant and whimsical, yet grounded by the seriousness of its story. This contrast creates emotional weight and makes Jade’s journey feel personal and globally important. The updated voice acting clarity and audio remastering breathe new life into these characters, making them feel surprisingly modern.
Gameplay: Nostalgia vs. Mechanics
While the core gameplay loop—stealth, light combat, exploration, and puzzle-solving—remains intact, it does show its age in some areas. The combat system, for instance, is functional but lacks depth compared to modern action-adventure games. There’s no progression tree or combat customization; it’s straightforward and a bit dated.
That said, the stealth segments and photography mechanics still hold up remarkably well. Capturing evidence with Jade’s camera to expose the government conspiracy feels meaningful. The hovercraft sequences, while nostalgic, still suffer from slightly imprecise controls, though smoother performance in the remaster makes them more tolerable.
Visuals and Performance: A Thoughtful Upgrade
The game now supports up to 4K resolution at 60fps, and while this is not a full remake, the textures, lighting, and character models have all received noticeable polish. Don’t expect cutting-edge visuals—this is still a 2003 game at its core—but what’s here respects the original’s art direction while enhancing clarity and atmosphere.
The real star here is the re-orchestrated soundtrack, which elevates the mood and brings emotional resonance to key moments. The audio mix is cleaner, and the remastered soundscape shows Ubisoft’s commitment to quality presentation.
New Modes and Features
One of the smartest additions is Speedrun Mode, which challenges players to complete the game with no saves—appealing to hardcore fans and the speedrunning community.
The Anniversary Gallery offers a nostalgic deep dive into the development process with early concept art, developer interviews, and unreleased insights. It turns this edition into more than just a remaster; it’s a celebration.
Other enhancements include:
Updated achievements for modern players
Treasure Hunt quests that connect the lore to Beyond Good & Evil 2
Smoother load times and better UI responsiveness
Room for Improvement
The remaster doesn’t address every legacy issue. Some clunky animations and environmental geometry feel out of place in today’s gaming landscape. The camera, particularly during combat or hovercraft sections, can still be frustrating. And while nostalgia carries much of the experience, new players may find certain aspects underwhelming compared to modern titles.
Final Verdict
Beyond Good & Evil 20th Anniversary Edition isn’t just a retouch—it’s a preservation of a visionary title that was ahead of its time. It remains one of Ubisoft’s most unique and emotionally driven games, and this edition gives it the respect it deserves.
While some mechanical limitations persist, the remaster shines where it matters most: storytelling, world-building, and heart. For fans of narrative-rich adventures or those curious about gaming’s hidden gems, this is a journey worth taking again—or for the first time.
Rating: 8.5/10
A lovingly remastered tribute that balances nostalgia with modern upgrades. Not perfect, but a must-play for fans of cinematic storytelling in games.
