Hillys is a planet under attack, both from the invading Domz, but also from within, by the very people that the planet looks to protect them. They control the police and the media; it seems nothing can challenge their rule -- until you come along. As Jade, a photographer turned rogue reporter, you strive to uncover evidence of the conspiracy against Hillys and with the help of the Iris Network you will spread your message and begin a glorious revolution. Boasting beautiful graphics, a great cast of characters, and some fantastic gameplay, Beyond Good and Evil may be the best game you never heard of.
It is hard to know where to begin describing the way the game plays simply because there are so many things you can do. You can drive your hovercraft and play with some fast shooting action, go into stealth mode as you infiltrate enemy bases and snap photographic evidence of their wrong-doings, grab one of your buddies and bust some heads with your fancy kung-fu moves, play a mini-game, or even just spend time your soothing frazzled nerves out on the beautiful water snapping pictures of whales for money. The great thing about the game is that not only are all these elements in the game, it does all of them extremely well. Stealth, combat, and photography meld seamlessly together to create an excellent set of tools for conquering the game's many challenges.
Along with great gameplay comes great characterization and story. Jade is smart, sweet, and yet still tough and independent. Her aggressive individualism is balanced by her dedication to the orphanage she grew up in and her Uncle Pey'j. Pey'j himself is an anthropomorphic pig and mechanic who is a little slow and definitely not an athlete, but makes up for what he lacks in agility with helpful inventions, powerful attacks, and sense of humor. Rounding out the support cast is Double H, an Iris Network reporter who has been knocked a bit loopy in the course of duty. Now all the time has been spent just developing these three great characters, however. Hillys is alive with vibrant personalities. Another nice touch is the ability to subscribe to newspapers -- both the Hillys propaganda and the Iris Network's news. Both will send occasional updates to your email, which you can check at any time. Getting those messages when you are knee-deep in a dungeon really gives you the feeling that the world is alive and moving on even when you aren't there to witness it and that can be a very satisfying feeling indeed.
Matching the personalities of the characters are the stunningly beautiful designs. There is a bit of an anime feel to the character designs in Beyond Good and Evil, but it's not overwhelming. The cartoony nature of the characters increases their charm rather than being distracting. Hillys is a beautiful world, and the game boasts some of the most delightful water graphics in any game to date. Roaming around with your hovercraft for the first time you will be blown away by the quality graphics and the funky designs populating the Venice-like city you begin in. Water is not all the game does well; every location is unique in feel and look, with lighting, design, and the different types of creatures and monsters creating very strong themes. The overall feel is of an incredibly cinematic experience, one in which you have total control and are rarely yanked out of for a cutscene.
Beyond Good and Evil is a game with a ton of things going for it. Crisp, beautiful graphics, good controls with a gentle learning curve, and so many different, varied things to do are just the tip of the iceberg. What will keep people engrossed in the game are the characters, their humor under fire and their surprisingly poignant moments. Beyond Good and Evil is an extremely ambitious game, and distinguishes itself as a rare one that achieves its goals. Despite, or perhaps because of its relative obscurity, Beyond Good and Evil will be a cherish classic spoken of in reverent tones in the years to come.
