Beyond Good & Evil - 20th Anniversary Edition is a single-player action-adventure game that places players in the role of investigative reporter Jade on the planet Hillys. The experience centers on exploration across a connected world of islands, where photography serves as both a tool for gathering evidence and a primary means of earning currency through wildlife documentation.
Gameplay
Core gameplay revolves around navigating Hillys by hovercraft to reach different locations, infiltrating enemy facilities, and solving environmental puzzles. Jade uses her Dai-Jo staff for combat encounters that involve basic combos and charged attacks against DomZ forces and Alpha Section soldiers. Stealth elements appear during base infiltrations, requiring careful movement to avoid detection while capturing incriminating photographs.
Partners accompany Jade throughout the adventure and assist in both combat and puzzle resolution, each with their own health that can be upgraded. The photography system encourages thorough exploration of the environment to photograph rare animals for the Science Museum and to record proof of the Alpha Section's involvement with the DomZ invaders. Puzzles often involve interacting with the surroundings or coordinating with companions to progress.
Updated controls in this edition improve responsiveness during movement and combat, while autosave functionality and the ability to skip cutscenes reduce friction during play sessions. The remastered visuals and soundtrack enhance the atmosphere without altering the fundamental structure of the original experience.
Game Modes
The primary mode is the complete single-player campaign, which guides players through the full story of Jade's investigation into the DomZ threat. This mode includes all exploration, combat, photography objectives, and narrative sequences across the islands of Hillys.
A dedicated Speed Run mode has been added for players seeking a timed challenge focused on completing the campaign as efficiently as possible. The mode tracks performance and encourages mastery of movement, combat, and puzzle solutions without altering the core mechanics.
An in-game treasure hunt serves as an optional layer within the main campaign, directing players to hidden trinkets that unlock cosmetic rewards and provide additional backstory connections.
Story and World
The narrative follows Jade as she works to expose the true nature of the Alpha Section while protecting Hillys from the DomZ. Travel between islands reveals a world filled with distinct locations, each offering new opportunities for photography and investigation. The story unfolds through interactions with companions and discoveries made during infiltrations.
World design emphasizes freedom within a compact map, allowing players to revisit areas and uncover additional details through repeated exploration. The combination of journalistic photography and action sequences creates a consistent loop that ties directly into the central conflict between the invading DomZ and the compromised Alpha Section.
Is It Worth Playing?
This edition preserves the original game's strengths in world traversal and investigative gameplay while adding modern conveniences such as cross-save support and improved performance on Nintendo Switch. The campaign delivers a focused experience that typically lasts around ten hours for a first playthrough.
Players who enjoy action-adventure titles with light combat, puzzle-solving, and exploration elements will find the mechanics satisfying and the world engaging. The added Speed Run mode and treasure hunt provide replay value for those who complete the main story.
The Anniversary Gallery offers extensive behind-the-scenes content including concept art and developer notes, appealing to fans interested in the game's development history. Overall, the package suits anyone looking for a complete, self-contained adventure with clear objectives and a memorable cast of characters.