Beyond Good & Evil: A brief, spoiler-free tour

The Dai-jo

While Beyond Good & Evil isn’t a violent game - there’s no graphic violence or blood - that’s not to say that there isn’t a lot of action. And most of that action is delivered by Jade’s daï-jo combat staff which can be used to bat around enemies and even “charged” up to create a powerful super-attack. But combat in Beyond Good & Evil stays fresh throughout the entire game with a nice spin that keeps it simple yet strategic. While you need only click the left mouse button to attack, how you position Jade often determines what kind of attack she’ll deliver.

Above: … and carry a big stick

For example, if Jade’s being closed in from three sides at once, move her close to one enemy and click the left mouse button as you move her in the direction between the other two. She’ll whack the guy behind her with the butt of the stick, then charge forward and put the smack down on the other two with a single swing. Effortless - and endlessly fun to watch.

So Play It Already

These are just a few highlights from Beyond Good & Evil that made it the kind of game that you look back on time and time again after you play it and recall the most exciting, exhilarating, or touching moments. I put BG&E on the same level as Max Payne, Portal, System Shock 2, Half-Life, BioShock and Grim Fandango - all games that perfectly balanced their interactivity, graphics, and sound with strong stories and memorable characters. With plenty of side missions that lead you on high-speed chases through tight caverns or descending five stories down a shaft laced with laser-tripwires as well as mini-games, hidden areas, and unlockables, Beyond Good & Evil is just as fun the second and third time around.

Above: Hillys has liberal off-leash ordinances

That’s a pretty good deal for just $10 through Steam, and by the time you're finished, Ancel and Ubisoft Montreal will have another chapter and hopefully an even more dazzling world for you to explore.

Jun 3, 2008