Beyond Good & Evil

Beyond Good & Evil, released in 2003, is an action-adventure game created by Michel Ancel and developed by Ubisoft Montpellier. It follows Jade, a young photographer living on Hillys, a coastal planet threatened by repeated DomZ attacks. She runs a lighthouse shelter for orphaned children with her adoptive uncle, Pey’j, a remarkably talkative hybrid pig.

The plot begins when Jade accepts freelance photography work to document the attacks and expose what officials are hiding. Hillys is supposedly protected by the Alpha Sections, a military force whose propaganda promises security while dismissing public fears. Jade eventually joins the IRIS Network, an underground resistance group investigating collaboration between the Alpha Sections and the DomZ.

Her camera is not merely decorative: it is central to missions, allowing her to photograph evidence and submit it to IRIS. Gameplay combines stealth, exploration, environmental puzzles, vehicle travel, combat, and photography, with Jade using a staff and later a gyro-disc launcher. She travels through Hillys in a hovercraft, upgrading it for speed, armor, and access to new areas. Pey’j assists her mechanically, while the enormous Mammago garage provides upgrades and comic relief.

One recurring activity involves photographing Hillys’s wildlife for science, turning observation into a practical source of income. The investigation leads Jade to locations including the Akuda Bar, slaughterhouses, canals, and secret Alpha Sections facilities. A major ally is Double H, a resistance operative whose exaggerated appearance and theatrical personality hide genuine courage.

The story’s central tension comes from conflicting images: official broadcasts present order, while Jade’s photographs reveal exploitation and conspiracy. That contrast makes journalism an active form of resistance rather than background decoration.

Beyond Good & Evil was released in 2003 for PlayStation 2, GameCube, and Windows, with Xbox and later versions. Despite strong reviews for its world, story, animation, and distinctive tone, it sold poorly at launch. Its commercial performance later contrasted with a durable cult following, especially among players who valued its political themes and unusual setting.

The game’s music was composed by Christophe Héral, whose soundtrack shifts between melancholy orchestration, electronic textures, and lively regional influences. In 2011, Ubisoft released an HD version for Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network, improving presentation while preserving the original structure. The 20th Anniversary Edition launched in June 2024 for modern consoles and PC, adding an Anniversary Gallery with development material and a newly recorded orchestral selection. New treasure-hunt clues connect Jade’s adventure with later mythology.