Beyond Good and Evil: 20th Anniversary Edition: PS5 Review

Developed by Ubisoft Pictures
Released by Ubisoft
Platform: PS5

For those unaccustomed to the original game and the impact it had some two decades ago, Ubisoft's decision to re-release it for its 20th anniversary proves to be somewhat of a boon.

This action-adventure puzzle game sees you taking on the role of Jade in the year 2435 on a mining planet somewhere on the edge of the galaxy. Jade's forced into action when the planet Hilys is invaded by aliens known as DomZ who abduct and drain the inhabitants.

Beyond Good and Evil's mix of open world and puzzle adventures give the game a kind of odd bedfellows feel, but with central characters that are affable and approachable, it feels enjoyable to explore the world and discover the puzzles and issues within.

Given a spit and polish for the next gen consoles but still staying true to its roots, Beyond Good and Evil manages to feel as fresh as any new remaster - even if the stealth sections feel a little tired for their time.

But with vibrant art and solid audio, the Beyond Good and Evil: 20th Anniversary Edition feels like the kind of game that's worth sinking swathes of time into. The only real downside of the game is its combat which feels dated and unnecessarily difficult to enact.

In a genre that's now full of entrants, Beyond Good and Evil: 20th Anniversary Edition still feels like a worthy inclusion - one that reminds you of the joy of the basics of a game like this - and which shows that some remasters more than justify their existence.