Beyond Good & Evil

By Kristan Reed Published 8 January, 2004

A celebration of a criminally overlooked game.

As regular visitors to Eurogamer will attest, we like Beyond Good & Evil. In fact, a couple of months back, Tom was moved to give the PS2 version a coveted 9/10, mentioning Michael Ancel's latest creation in the same breath as the revered The Wind Waker. So seeing as Ubisoft kindly sent us a preview version of the forthcoming Xbox version I took the opportunity to have a play through this critically acclaimed game myself.

Although Mr Mugs was happy to wax on about the similarities with Miyamoto-san's Cube classic, there are plenty more influences evident, such as the narrative/puzzle-led ambience (and visual grace) of Broken Sword, a hefty slice of the obsessive stalking mechanic of Pokemon Snap along with a dash of Jak II futurist kleptomania for good measure. Whatever the source of its many inspirations, it's a mixture of gameplay styles that succeeds in having the kind of broad appeal that ought to ensure its success, but as you probably know by now, BG&E flopped so badly that Ubi was forced to discount the product long before Christmas in an attempt to deal with serious overproduction issues, with reports across the Atlantic emanating this week that it was on sale as low as $9.99.

An accident waiting to happen

'Beyond Good & Evil' Screenshot 1

But these things happen, and a recent interview with Ancel in Edge revealed that he knew full well it wasn't going to be a mass market hit. After all, it took years for Rayman to fulfil its potential, and history has proven again and again that certain titles only succeed once they're available at a budget price. As the Frenchman admitted, introducing a new character franchise successfully in this license and sequel obsessed era is a huge challenge, and he knows it will take time for BG&E to sell. But we'd have to question the wisdom of releasing such a title slap bang in the middle of the peak Christmas period, while simultaneously giving the title such little pre-awareness and marketing that it was practically invisible to anyone but the committed hardcore gamer - and even they were busy being distracted by a dozen or so other games that had been hyped to the max, but promising to put BG&E on their ever growing list of games to buy.

The evidence so far is that the vast majority of you still don't view this as a priority purchase, and that's absolute madness. If this game had been released by Nintendo, it'd be revered, and currently near the top of Cube charts. Some of you still can't seem to come to terms with the fact that Ubisoft are making some of the very best games around at the moment, because, well, it's Ubisoft. A bit like admitting you quite like the look of that Skoda, but, well, you'd never actually buy one. What would the neighbours think?

Anyway, enough ranting about the fact that you're all nuts for not buying it. If we were consumers, we'd probably do the same [did I not buy my copy? -Tom] as there's something about the box art or the lead character or the by-the-numbers near-future setting that just doesn't seem to be that exciting at first glance, but you have to trust us on this one.

Letterboxes are for letters

'Beyond Good & Evil' Screenshot 2

What is impossible to deny is the stupendous quality of the art, and although the differences between this and PS2 version are almost imperceptible, it's without question one of the most beautiful looking games ever made. How they did this on the PS2 I'll never know, but it's no less impressive on its faithful transition to Xbox. I have to agree with Tom that the letterboxed format is a real puzzle, and it's exactly the same here. What is even more of a puzzle is that they didn't just give widescreen owners the option to fill the screen. God only knows why they did it; maybe technical issues, or a pretentious desire to lend it a filmic air. Whatever, it's just as unacceptable as playing a dodgy NTSC to PAL conversion, although in truth you learn to ignore it once you're engrossed in the game.

And it's hard not to get sucked in by the game more or less immediately. There's a pleasant unhurried ambience to the proceedings and so many non-essential things to do that it's possible to play for hours just snapping the many hidden animals or being stealthy in the pursuit of yet more pearls without ever actually playing one of the many 'proper' missions. And rather in the style of Broken Sword, the action is never a frustrating succession of death-by-jumping, with the necessary jumps and shimmies occurring automatically, while the puzzles are - in the main - logical and satisfying. But it's the dialogue, production values and storyline where BG&E shines magnificently and make the 6/10 we awarded BS appear even more justified in the light of the excellence on display here. Where BS' dialogue appeared stilted, clichéd and horrendously hammy, BG&E's is charming, with far more appealing characters that never once irritate by trying too hard to be funny. Similar to the Jak and Ratchet games, you warm to the cast and find yourself genuinely pulled through the game to find out what happens next.

It's never going to be the longest game in the world, but there is this J&D style urge to go back and hoover everything up because, well, it's enjoyable. Part of this enjoyment has to be credited to the sympathetic checkpoint save system. Rather than arbitrarily dump you back to the start of a level, any progress you make is checkpointed at regular intervals, meaning you're unlikely to be hurling your joypad in frustration and spending wasted hours stuck on the same part of an unenjoyable section. Like Pandora Tomorrow, Ubisoft has recognised that it's important to keep a gamer's attention right to the end - and risking losing your audience through a hateful difficulty spike is unlikely to be an issue here - hence the alleged 12 hour completion time (although this is 12 hours in Tom's world here - more like 20 in my bumbling experience).

It's a nine out of ten all day long

The version we've been given to look at only offers the first half of the game, but in all other respects this a finished version - after all, it's been out in the States for a while now. It's slick, bug free, the camera's occasionally an issue, but in almost all other respects it's close to perfect. If we could change one thing about the game it would be to have a map shortcut, as having to go into the menu and manually select it is a pain in the arse, given how regularly you use it. Aside from that I'd have to agree with more or less everything Tom wrote in his review including the score, and state that Xbox owners (and Cube when it turns up) owe it to themselves to place this firmly near the top of their must-buy list. Is there such thing as a cult mass market game? Er, there is now.

Picture of Kristan.

About Kristan Reed

Kristan is a former editor of Eurogamer, dad, Stone Roses bore and Norwich City supporter who sometimes mutters optimistically about Team Silent getting back together.

Read more articles from Kristan by visiting the Kristan Reed archive page.

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Comments (101) Latest comment 8 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Killerbee #1 8 years ago

    If this game had been released by Nintendo, it'd be revered, and currently near the top of Cube charts.

    If this game had been released on the Cube...

    I'm still waiting. :)

  • WriterUK #2 8 years ago

    Perhaps everyone who whined "Why isn't it on Xbox then" can stop whining now.

    Oh, and realise that as this is a near exact conversion of the PS2 version, you will all get ripped off when you pay full price for it.

    And yes, I own an Xbox and PS2; I just hate to see such a fantastic game get overlooked for the most petty of reasons.

    Still, time to run out and pluck the PS2 version from a bargain bin near you (Amazon.co.uk has it for £14.99).

  • Tiger_Walts #3 8 years ago

    GAME are doing the PC version for £19.99, normally I'd get it but the poor perfomance of the demo has put me off. I know it didn't represent the release code but I need reassurance that the releasecopy would run on my rig.

  • itamae #4 8 years ago

    $9.99!

    It almost makes me regret paying full price for it... only almost though because it is such a brilliant game.

    I agree with pretty much everything you wrote there Kristan except for the bit about the replay value. Because of the extremely cinematic approach of the game going back to it to just do some of the side challenges would feel like watching a single scene from a great movie. Might be just me though.

    One last thing; while the large borders didn't irritate me so much the inconsistent frame-rate did. There are scenes in the PS2 version were the action clearly drops below 20 fps. Again, this doesn't make the game any worse but it's annoying nonetheless. How about that issue on the Xbox?

  • Killerbee #5 8 years ago

    Oh, and realise that as this is a near exact conversion of the PS2 version, you will all get ripped off when you pay full price for it.

    Hmmm... maybe you're right.

    /regrets whinging about the Sony exclusivity thing before

    £14.99 is very tempting, and if the graphical enhancements I was expecting on the Cube aren't likely to amount to much...

    Aaaaaaarrrggghhh!

    All right then - should I just get it on PS2 and have done with it?

    Cast your votes... :)

  • BradlayLaw #6 8 years ago

    I love this game. It is most excellent. My only complaint is that the exclusive PS2 thing. The framerate in that version is so bad, I was forced to 'find' the PC version.

    Still, at least I bought it once and I'm tempted when the Xbox or Gamecube versions come out to buy it again.

  • Blerk #7 8 years ago

    All right then - should I just get it on PS2 and have done with it?

    I did. Although I did intend to get the Cube version, I found I just couldn't justify paying full price for a few extra graphical niceties. Anyway... it looks great on the PS2 too. And I set my TV to 'zoom in' mode and sit a bit further back so as not to notice the slight quality drop - ta da, widescreen. Kind of. :-)

  • Sid-Nice #8 8 years ago

    On a lot of US sites they though Ubi Soft had recalled all Cube versions of the game but apparently it had been relaunched at $19.99.
    This and splinter Cell free with POP, Ubi Soft have had a real bad Christmas, oh and XIII unlucky for some.

  • jellyhead #9 8 years ago

    i'll be getting cube or xbox version as i don't have a ps2 and my PC is severly lacking in grunt these days.
    I suppose i could use this as an excuse to get a ps2 though...

  • Killerbee #10 8 years ago

    And I set my TV to 'zoom in' mode and sit a bit further back so as not to notice the slight quality drop - ta da, widescreen. Kind of. :-)

    I did that with Kingdom Hearts and most other Square games and I honestly find it less annoying than games which don't have a widescreen mode, but look stupid s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d out so I'm forced to play them with two black borders down the side.

    Feels like I'm wasting my TV's potential.

    Hmm... £14.99 is cheap I suppose...

  • UncleLou #11 8 years ago

    GAME are doing the PC version for £19.99, normally I'd get it but the poor perfomance of the demo has put me off. I know it didn't represent the release code but I need reassurance that the releasecopy would run on my rig.

    I've got the same problem, the demo was stuttering all over the place. And I must admit I am a bit put off by the fact that it's going for the full price here still. Justified as the price may be, why should I pay the quadruple amount of what it costs in the US? :-/

  • tiddles #12 8 years ago

    oh and EG...

    review silent storm, you can get it yourselves for £14.99 at game's sale.

    and WRC3 while you're about it ;)
    Edited by 1 at 08/01/04 @ 10:04

  • jaa #13 8 years ago

    Ubisoft did it all wrong. First, a brilliant game that should have been released in, say, September 2003 (or next March). Hell, they even made things worse for themselves by releasing Prince of Persia at the same time. Then the deal with Sony. For it to work (as 2002's Splinter Cell deal with Microsoft apparently did) PS2 gamers had to perceive this as a must-have title (like Splinter Cell was to Xbox owners). It never appeared that would happen. And now the heavily discounted prices of the PS2 version, to limit damage but probably hurting future sales of the Xbox and Cube versions, as many of those who are waiting and have a PS2 could very well decide to save money and buy a cheap copy now. Could Ubisoft have done many more mistakes? I doubt it...

    Anyway, I'm waiting too. Because I'm trying to avoid buying a new PS2 memory card and because I would love Ubisoft to be surprised by the number of gamers that waited.

  • WriterUK #14 8 years ago

    But let's remember in late 2002, there weren't that many titles that were 'must haves' on Xbox. I bought my 'box partially because of Splinter Cell. Making BG&E a 'must have' in amongst all the other games out this past Christmas would have been near impossible.

    In the end I just think this was a very hard sell. I felt sorry for Michel Ancel when I read his Edge interview; he knew it wasn't going to do well (probably) and he was right.

    It'd be good if Ubisoft perhaps tried to re-promote this later in this year, but to be honest, I don't think retail would be interested in stocking it (not when GT4, Splinter Cell 2, Driv3r will be in stock) and people would probably recall that stink of bargain bin.

    Still, a damn shame. That and PoP...

  • markypants #15 8 years ago

    There must be some benefit with the xbox version? Better frame rate? Quicker loading times?

    I'm waiting, because there is something a little more solid about Xbox games? Can't put my finger on it. I'm playing through Project Zero (Fatal Frame) on the Xbox, and compared to the PS2 version, it feels just that bit slicker, and with better sound.

    Does BG&E have 5.1 on the xbox version?

    How good is next month gonna be POP & BG&E on Xbox...

    Anyway, time for a cup of tea.

    ~markypants

  • Chris Gardiner #16 8 years ago

    Big clap on EG's collective back for pushing this game. It deserves much more attention. Ubisoft have completely bungled the release, but this is one of the finest games I've played. Its standards are consistently high, and the attention to detail astounding - plus there's the fantastic writing, which shows up the sort fo drivel we usually have to put up with.

    I have the PC version and, with the patch, it runs fine on my P1.33Mhz, GeForce 3 machine. Plus there's no borders on the PC version, and the controls (unheard of for a console port) are excellent. For God's sake, buy it!

    I get shivers playing BG+E. It's utterly fantastic *all* the time. It's a weird feling to play a game and never once feel annoyed, or cheated, or disappointed. BG+E keeps blowing away my expectations, however high it raises them. It's that good.

  • Killerbee #17 8 years ago

    It'd be good if Ubisoft perhaps tried to re-promote this later in this year, but to be honest, I don't think retail would be interested in stocking it (not when GT4, Splinter Cell 2, Driv3r will be in stock) and people would probably recall that stink of bargain bin.

    True - I'm sure most Cube and Xbox owners will expect this game to be discounted almost as soon as it's released which is a real shame.

    Anyway, I've gone and ordered the PS2 version from Amazon for £14.99, though I still think the Sony exclusivity deal was a bad idea for everyone concerned.

  • groovychainsaw #18 8 years ago

    I want to buy this on xbox, but will at least wait until its cheap, I'm bored of paying full price unless its something truly outstanding now (HL", Halo 2 etc.). Games need to be less than £20 to get my attention now, I buy too many to be able to manage it any other way.

  • redemption #19 8 years ago

    let me get this straight, widescreen TV owners have no option to display the game in native 16:9 with or without borders? so we have to put up with borders left/right/up and down!

    :\

  • jaa #20 8 years ago

    But let's remember in late 2002, there weren't that many titles that were 'must haves' on Xbox. I bought my 'box partially because of Splinter Cell. Making BG&E a 'must have' in amongst all the other games out this past Christmas would have been near impossible.

    Exactly. They shouldn't have tried at all.

  • Cyhwuhx #21 8 years ago

    .::: I still can't connect with the game. It's an utter bore to me. Shame as it's rpesentation is lovely. It's just so.. unfocused.

  • UncleLou #22 8 years ago

    Chris, stop it, or I'll end up buying it today. :)

    So the PC version has no borders? I thought the demo had, but I am not entirely sure.
    Edited by 1 at 08/01/04 @ 10:44

  • Aretak #23 8 years ago

    Glad I returned it when I paid full price for it just after it came out... £14.99... yum. Also picked up the superb Gladius for £19.99 yesterday in GAME -- there are some good deals out there right now.

  • jaa #24 8 years ago

    What was that again, Chris? ;)

  • IronGiant #25 8 years ago

    At £14.99 you'd be crazy not to buy it on the PS2, why pay an extra £15-20 for minor enhancements, if there are any? It's no shock Project Zero is better on the XBox, it came out a long time after the PS2 version.. try Project Zero2 its a great game.

  • Chris Gardiner #26 8 years ago

    Chris, stop it, or I'll end up buying it today. :)

    / Sees weakness.

    / Pounces

    Buy, buy, buy!

    So the PC version has no borders? I thought the demo had, but I am not entirely sure.

    Er...now I'm not sure. I've been playing it obsessively and can't remember them, so if they're in, they aren't screen-swallowing monsters.

  • Chris Gardiner #27 8 years ago

    What was that again, Chris? ;)

    / Lifts needle off turntable

    Sorry about that. My record was stuck.

    P.S. It's been 20 minutes. Can I mention how good BG+E is again?

  • Killerbee #28 8 years ago

    let me get this straight, widescreen TV owners have no option to display the game in native 16:9 with or without borders? so we have to put up with borders left/right/up and down!

    As I understand it, there is no in-game option to play the game in proper, full Widescreen format - you're stuck with letterboxed 4:3.

    But most decent Widescreen TVs will allow you to zoom in on a part of the screen and I'm hoping that with a bit of messing about I should be able to get it to fill most of the screen with actual game, so that the borders aren't too much of an issue.

  • CyberClaw #29 8 years ago

    Project Zero on the XBox includes 2 more costumes and a 3rd ending (according to Tecmo the "true" ending, something they weren't able to do in the PS2 version - why, they don't explain)
    As for the version I'd like to buy of BGE, I'd like to have the XBox version. I like to buy most of my games for it anyway. The reason is simple. I don't need to buy memory cards. The obvious downfall, is that I don't want to pay twice or trice the price of the PS2 version, so I'll wait for a cheap-o version, or a good seccond hand copy.
    It's not my kind of game, really (I'm yet to finish Zelda WW - godamn triforce shards...).

  • WriterUK #30 8 years ago

    Agreed, Gladius is great, Aretak... but so bloody massive! I'm looking forward to Wrath Unleashed having more of the same. Again though, a game that was bungled by its publisher because it's a bit different (erm, turn-based tactical strategy RPG anyone...?).

    Don't envy their jobs, sometimes.

  • Blerk #31 8 years ago

    Can EG do a review of Gladius? I'm interested, but it's LucasArts so I'm also very, very cautious. :-)

  • jaa #32 8 years ago

    Chris: I wanted you to say it again. Because of UncleLou.

    So BG&E is BRILLIANT, heh? ;)


    Edit: I almost wrote BGiE is brilliant...

    /shudders
    Edited by 1 at 08/01/04 @ 11:22

  • gizmo #33 8 years ago

    Intereseting article on IGN about this. All formats reduced to $19.99 as a result of sluggish sales. EB have stopped buying the GC version altogether.

    xbox.i gn.com/articles/449/449295p1.html

  • BradlayLaw #34 8 years ago

    At £14.99 you'd be crazy not to buy it on the PS2, why pay an extra £15-20 for minor enhancements, if there are any? It's no shock Project Zero is better on the XBox, it came out a long time after the PS2 version.. try Project Zero2 its a great game.

    As I said, the frame rate is horrible. I couldn't take a photo of the first boss because the game crawled to about 5 fps when trying to take the framed shot needed (boss moves quickly) and I gave up and just killed it. On the PC it was no problem at all.
    Edited by 1 at 08/01/04 @ 11:31

  • Chris Gardiner #35 8 years ago

    Chris: I wanted you to say it again. Because of UncleLou.
    D'oh!

    So BG&E is BRILLIANT, heh? ;)
    Why, yes. BRILLIANT is the word. Also EXCELLENT, CHARMING, DELIGHTFUL, AMAZING and FANTASTIC.

    / Watches Lou for signs of teetering

  • UncleLou #36 8 years ago

    Chris: I wanted you to say it again. Because of UncleLou.

    Just checked the prices: 60 EUR here for the PS2 version still, and 56 (!)for the PC version. Are they nuts? That's an online shop that's usually quite cheap. Are Ubi trying to reduce their losses by raising the price for the PC version? I've never paid so much for a PC game.

    edit: 50 EUR in the (semi-)official Ubi-Shop, still a bit steep
    Edited by 1 at 08/01/04 @ 11:36

  • pjmaybe #37 8 years ago

    This almost has the same appeal as Ico. A game that precious few have played, might well have heard of, but have avoided like the plague.

    Mark my words, you'll be kicking yourself if you don't give it a go. Agreed about the prices everywhere though being high, quite odd that considering it's been out a couple of months on PS2 and should at least be cheapish if it didnt shift well first time round.

    The guy that produced this should bury Rayman once and for all and just carry on doing B G & E games.

    Peej

  • jaa #38 8 years ago

    Amazon.co.uk. Amazon.de sells it for 47.99 Eur.

  • pjmaybe #39 8 years ago

    Actually Gamesplanet are selling the PS2 version for 17.99

    Peej

  • marilena #40 8 years ago

    Lou, you're complaining you have no games to play and haven't bought BG&E? Shame on you! It's true, you might regret it if the price drops quickly, but it's sooo goood. It's the only game from 2003 that should not be missed.

  • Tyronne #41 8 years ago

    Well I bought it for the pc and even at full price (at the time) its a very good game...

  • posh_geordie #42 8 years ago

    Post deleted at 18:45:04 02-01-2012

  • IronGiant #43 8 years ago

    The frame rate is not horrible at all, dont you think the reviewers may have picked up on that if it was the case?.. yes there are a few moments where it slows, it does exactly the same in the XBox version, but on the whole its a beautiful looking game.

  • BradlayLaw #44 8 years ago

    The frame rate is not horrible at all, dont you think the reviewers may have picked up on that if it was the case?

    My PS2 must be a special slow model then. And reviewers did pick up on it (read the ign insider head to head).

    Most of the time it isn't game threatning (apart from afore mentioned monster photo taking bit), but it was enough to give me a sore head, hence horrible.

  • UncleLou #45 8 years ago

    Lou, you're complaining you have no games to play and haven't bought BG&E? Shame on you! It's true, you might regret it if the price drops quickly, but it's sooo goood. It's the only game from 2003 that should not be missed

    Pah, noone even mentioned it in the thread where I asked for a little advice! Shame on you, all of you!

  • thesnowman #46 8 years ago

    Picked this up in PCworld for £15 yesterday as it would be rude not to. I am enjoying this so much more than the drivel that is mace griffon (which I also picked up in the sales). Only played a couple of hours last night, but cant wait to get back tonight to play some more, the last game that had me like this was sw: kotor

  • tiddles #47 8 years ago

    I'm waiting, because there is something a little more solid about Xbox games? Can't put my finger on it.

    The screen output of the PS2 is noticeably less solid than the Xbox (and the Cube) - there's a visible flicker in the display which you don't get with the latter. Could be that...

    Bizarrely I often prefer the less solid look of PS2 games... converted games on the 'box often look a little dead and lifeless in comparison, though this isn't a problem with titles designed specifically for the platform. Must be like preferring vinyl to CDs, I suppose. ;)

  • tiddles #48 8 years ago

    My PS2 must be a special slow model then

    Did you try pressing the "Turbo" button on the front of it?

  • squaylor #49 8 years ago

    I ordered this at £14.99 from Amazon and it arrived yesterday - now here's my dilemma - I bought Ico and lent it to a mate and by a coincidence I got it back last weekend.

    I've played not a minute of either game...which one should I start first???

  • tiddles #50 8 years ago

    If you play ICO first, you can then go on and on about how ICO-like BG&E is.

  • Zero Beat #51 8 years ago

    Features:

    Identical - Cube/PS2/Xbox/PC

    Controls:

    Xbox/PS2
    Cube
    PC

    Cube is a button short - the one that takes you straight to Objectives & Maps, PC version has no support for controllers at all but mouse & KB control's acceptable.

    Sound:

    Xbox/PC - 5.1, Clearest samples, best separation
    Cube - DPLII, Not so clear but not by far
    PS2 - No DPLII, Minutely less clear, even with optical connection

    Graphics:

    PC - Textures look great despite not being designed for PC high res, framerate is very inconsistent on anything but the most high specced PC, even at 800x600. Strong in all other areas with a high spec otherwise.

    Xbox - Sharp and well filtered textures, Strong AA gives a good soft appearance, framerate hangs around 30fps but quite often pushes 60 and holds well, most consistent framerate of all consoles, Framerate holds very well during watercraft scenes.

    Cube - Textures match Xbox's, Weaker than Xbox's, but apparent AA improves over harsher PS2 appearance, framerate hangs around 30fps and very often pushes 60 but doesn't hold it so noticeably choppy, most strongly contrasted colour of all consoles, Framerate stutters a little during watercraft scenes.

    PS2 - Textures look great but least detailed of any version, rawest appearance of all consoles, wildest framerate of all versions with big FR drops during onscreen particles and transparencies, 30FPS during small and quiet moments, framerate drops quite noticeably during watercraft scenes.

    All consoles play with forced borders, PC version can play in this format too using start resolution options (look for the non-standard resolutions).

    Presentation:

    Xbox - Fastest loadtimes along with PC
    Cube - Slightly longer loadtimes
    PS2 - even smaller gap than between Xbox and Cube
    PC - Fastest loadtimes but menu presentation distinctly low-res and PC specific options not integrated in-game.

    Overall:

    1. Xbox
    2. GameCube
    3. PlayStation 2
    4. PC

  • UncleLou #52 8 years ago

    Cheers Zero Beat.

    No gamepad support in the PC version though...hm, that's a bit strange. I tried PoP with m/kb first and wasn't too happy.

  • moggsy #53 8 years ago

    Squaylor, play BG&E first as ICO is pants.

    /runs away from inevitable backlash...

  • Blerk #54 8 years ago

    Squaylor, play BG&E first as ICO is pants.

    You... you... you... I KILL YOU!

    /launches thermo-nuclear attack

  • UncleLou #55 8 years ago

    /hands Blerk another war head, just to make sure

  • thebuzzard #56 8 years ago

    Great game, owes a lot to Zelda and way too short. Took me 10-15 hours or so tops to complete.

  • jaa #57 8 years ago

    /inputs "Eurogamer", "id_3013" and "moggsy" into experimental 'search and destroy' program. Lights fade for a moment, computer case glows and then the power surge is on its way, leaving a smell of burned cables behind...

  • squaylor #58 8 years ago

    what have I done? A simple question leads to nuclear holocaust and wanton destruction...the only way to win is not to play...

    /decides to pick at random
    /picks Halo by mistake
    /realises he hates Halo with a passion
    /realises what he's just said
    /runs after moggsy

  • jaa #59 8 years ago

    /realises he hates Halo with a passion
    /realises what he's just said
    /runs after moggsy

    I wouldn't start a war because of Halo. But because of a beautiful, mostly quiet, emotional game like Ico... that's another matter.

  • Blerk #60 8 years ago

    So... you find Rayman more attractive than Jade? That says a lot about you.

  • Oblio #61 8 years ago

    raymanfan - i know you feel the need for a ray-girl for your character, but JADE is cooler! :p

    maybe this will help the sales

    DO YOU KNOW THE COLOR OF HER PANTIES????

    i mean.. it's about the level of detail in this game :D
    /hint - Ubi or EG - make a contest on this :)
    Edited by 2 at 08/01/04 @ 15:15

  • Khab #62 8 years ago

    Hmmmmmmmmm.... this one feels like a 'Cube purchase, but then again the Xbox is nice. I think I'll stay away fom the PS2 version, though - I think the flickering on the PS2 is bad enough as it is.

  • BradlayLaw #63 8 years ago

    No gamepad support in the PC version though...hm, that's a bit strange. I tried PoP with m/kb first and wasn't too happy.

    The control works really well on the mouse/keyboard. Much better than I would of though and better than PoP (which I still can't get working with my PS2->PC thingie)

  • UncleLou #64 8 years ago

    Bradlay, the PoP pad configuration is seriously flawed.

    It took me 20 minutes to get it right - best is to start the game (ie start playing, not just the main menu), and then access the options menu. Press and hold the gamepad button you want to assign before you double-click the respective configuration field. Repeat 20 times until it works. :-)

    Note that I was using a Wingman Rumblepad though, not a PS2 pad.

    edit: typos, typos everywhere
    Edited by 1 at 08/01/04 @ 16:10

  • jellyhead #65 8 years ago

    Stop picking on Rayman, he's 'armless. :)

    /gets coat
    /pops head back round door
    /launches Rat Bombs at Moggsy for dissing ICO
    /leaves

  • BradlayLaw #66 8 years ago

    Thanks UncleLou, I'll give it a try

  • StixxUK #67 8 years ago

    Is this game actually that great or is it just good and getting all this attention because we're hardcore gamers and it's the good-game underdog?

    :D

  • mal #68 8 years ago

    Pah, noone even mentioned it in the thread where I asked for a little advice! Shame on you, all of you!

    I did! I would've gone on about it a bit more as well, except noone seemed to be really joining in. Bah, just because you don't get in on page 1 any more, kids don't even notice you're there.

  • mal #69 8 years ago

    Wow. On the BG&E thread. On Eurogamer. That's even more off-topic than a marmite mini-thread.

  • moggsy #70 8 years ago

    Ha! Survived. Knew that nuclear shelter would come in one day...

    And seeing as I'm already under fire, I never understood what people saw in Rez either - another pants game in my book.

    /quickly shuts steel door again

  • sickpuppysoftware #71 8 years ago

    Just bought it tonight on the strength of love in this thread.

    I hope you haven't let me down ;o)

  • Chris Gardiner #72 8 years ago

    You won't regret it!

  • BradlayLaw #73 8 years ago

    Thanks UncleLou, that worked a treat.

  • UncleLou #74 8 years ago

    You're welcome, glad you've tried it - I know it sounds a bit, um, silly first. :-)

  • IronGiant #75 8 years ago

    Jesus.. what the hell has a thread about Beyond Good and Evil got to do with the top selling games in Japan??? rattustherat you really need to get a life, and if youre that obsessed with sales figures why not find out the ones from Europe or the US which are far more relevant to people who read these posts.

    In fact from the same site here are the UK console sales for the 2 weeks upto xmas...

    Dec 15 - 21, 2003

    1. PlayStation 2 - 100,000 units
    2. Xbox - 40,000 units
    3. GameBoy Advance SP - 40,000 units
    4. GameCube - 21,000 units
    5. GameBoy Advance - 1700 units
    6. N-Gage - 180 units

    Dec 22 - 27, 2003

    1. PlayStation 2 - 90,000 units
    2. Xbox - 40,000 units
    3. GameBoy Advance SP - 32,000 units
    4. GameCube - 20,000 units
    5. GameBoy Advance - 850 units
    6. N-Gage - 200 units

    Edited by 1 at 09/01/04 @ 12:37

  • Petrarch #76 8 years ago

    "Jesus.. what the hell has a thread about Beyond Good and Evil got to do with the top selling games in Japan??? rattustherat you really need to get a life, and if youre that obsessed with sales figures why not find out the ones from Europe or the US which are far more relevant to people who read these posts."

    Ever noticed that the die-hard Nintendo fans always seem to use only the figures from Japan to support their case or a few isolated weekly sales figures rather than an all encompassing one?

    Anyway, back on topic - I'll check BG&E out when it arrives for the box but only if it's discounted. I can't see why it wouldn't be - given the poor sales so far I doubt Ubisoft would expect the other 2 platform holders to pay twice the price for it.

  • tiddles #77 8 years ago

    Sadly it's more likely that they'll try and recoup some of their losses by keeping the other platforms' prices high.

  • Petrarch #78 8 years ago

    In that case, if they did do that, I think the game is doomed. Nobody is going to be daft enough to pay £40 for something on one platform when they're selling the same thing for half that on another.

    In other words, charging full price for Xbox/Cube users is going to mean suffering even more losses.

  • BartonFink #79 8 years ago

    Sorry disc but this is an action/adventure game and proclaiming that mouse/kb control is better than a pad for this type of game is quite frankly laughable :)

  • Chris Gardiner #80 8 years ago

    Have to back up disc (ha!) here - I don't know if the keyboard and mouse setup is better than the control pad, but it's definitely very good. I've got no complaints. It makes the camera control really easy. Plus, its easy to access the map via the keyboard - just a quick tap of the tab key.

  • Randy Eastman #81 8 years ago

    Hi, I was just surfing and came across this little site, nice to see it aint just in the US where the N-Gage is failing. It's rather ironic that Ubi Soft is a European company and all, yet you guy's aint received Beyond and Persia yet. The Prince is king in my opinion plus it includes the Genesis version.
    I've noticed on Uk sites that your games cost £40 sterling by my calculation that's $64 you guy's get a bum deal for sure, Beyond Good And Evil is only $19.99 at Electronic Boutique, I could make a small fortune exporting NSTC games to Europe but the big problem is you use PAL which your Xbox would need a modification chip. I was shocked to hear you aint received Animal Crossing either, what's the problem with that game is there European laws which states you can't use animals in your video games, it will be 2 years this summer since when I toured Europe and everyone spoke English very well with the exception of London England I couldn't understand a word, so I can't think it can be the multi language of the European States.
    I couldn't help noticing there's an air of anti-Americanism on this and other Euro-sites I know some Americans can sound big headed and right jerks but we aren't all like that, are country is made up of 28 million Brits, 22 million Germans 18 million Irish 16 million Italians and many more European Nationals we love Europe and it's our roots so please be nice.

  • YoYo #82 8 years ago

    Eh?

  • vil #83 8 years ago

    Didn't anyone else get caught by all the bugs in this game?! It should never have made it out through quality control. It seems a good game, but there are a couple of ways in which you can get yourself stuck with no way to progress. That's unforgivable, if you ask me.

    Case in point: I got to the factory entrance, where you take a photo of the code and send it off to be decrypted. The code I get back is the _wrong_ code. My only other option was to go back about 3 hours of gameplay time to where I'd previously saved & _hope_ it doesn't happen again. Damn shame because I'd been enjoying it up 'til then. Afterwards I just felt ripped off.

  • mal #84 8 years ago

    No, not hit any bugs. I've got four save slots on the go just in case I do something that stops me progressing, but so far it seems to have been actually quite linear when you look back at it and you always have enough stuff to hand to take on any particular task. A couple of times I've thought I'd got stuck, but a little careful thinking allowed me to continue. Getting thje wrong code for getting into the factory sounds like an outright bug though.

    By the way, the camera's pretty easy to control on the PS2, and you can get direct to the map by pressing the select button. I'm surprised they dropped that feature from the xbox version, to be honest.

    ---

    We don't hate Americans, though they are good sport to take the mickey out of them. I only hate them...

    are country is made up of 28 million Brits, 22 million Germans 18 million Irish 16 million Italians

    ...when they do that!

  • Zero Beat #85 8 years ago

    The release date of both Prince of Persia and Beyond Good & Evil has been announced as 26th of February.

    BG&E's going to be 30 Euros, and PoP the usual 50.

    So, £30, £40 maybe?

  • pjmaybe #86 8 years ago

    Constantly surprised by this game. Don't listen to the various whinges about the PS2 version, it really does look gorgeous and the framerate issues are thankfully minimal. What you do get here is a game that's almost reminiscent of Flashback in the way it doesn't mollycoddle you into a huge storyline from the outset, but gives you more and more info as you progress. You're more or less dumped into a planetary war from the outset and progression is strictly at your pace as it's almost free-roaming in the way you get to choose what to do.

    Most of all though the graphics are stunning. There are some obvious nods to Rayman here and there (with some of the NPC designs f'r instance) but above all I'm just gobsmacked that this didn't do better at retail.

    Then again I suppose it's not an "attached" title so the mong in the street couldn't possibly be interested.

    Put this in your PS2 collection along with Ico and Rez and you'll at least be able to claim that you "did your bit for cult gaming"

    Peej

  • Blerk #87 8 years ago

    Games aren't 'cool' unless they feature real-world settings, a 'hard-man' main character, no thinking and hundreds of fucking huge guns.

    Don't you know ANYTHING, peej?

  • YoYo #88 8 years ago

    I got this on the basis of Eurogamers rave reviews and the promise of an "Ico-esque" feel to it.

    I played it for the 1st time last night and it is brilliant (so far as least). I haven't got that far with it yet, but so far it is amazing. it just has something.

    I've got the PS2 version, it seemes OK to me. I can live with the borders, probably beause i was forewarned.

    I love the water effects - impressive I thought.

    So thanks for persuading me to get it.

  • pjmaybe #89 8 years ago

    "Games aren't 'cool' unless they feature real-world settings, a 'hard-man' main character, no thinking and hundreds of fucking huge guns.

    Don't you know ANYTHING, peej? "

    Seems to be the way, doesn't it.

    I guess when you take a cross-section out of the PS2-buying public they're not going to be interested in a game that is A) French B) not a driving game or movie licence and C) features a female lead characters whose norks are in proportion and not bouncing around hanging off her chest like a couple of spare spacehoppers at a 70's school sports day.

    Anyway, for what it's worth it's definitely one of those sleeper classics and when EG finally get their arse in gear and do the top 100 rundown for 2003, it'd better be up there in the top ten at the very least.

    Peej

  • mal #90 8 years ago

    Games aren't 'cool' unless they feature real-world settings, a 'hard-man' main character, no thinking and hundreds of fucking huge guns.

    Or a monkey. That's the only explanation for the Eye-toy. Replace Pey'j with a talking monkey and it'd be number 1 rught now.

  • pjmaybe #91 8 years ago

    Not sure I like the piggie guy being called Pey'j much though...!

    Pe'ej

  • tiddles #92 8 years ago

    Or a monkey. That's the only explanation for the Eye-toy. Replace Pey'j with a talking monkey and it'd be number 1 rught now.

    Or Nazis. You can't go wrong with Nazis.

    Hmmm now, Nazi monkeys....

    /goes off to become games millionaire

  • YoYo #93 8 years ago

    C) features a female lead characters whose norks are in proportion and not bouncing around hanging off her chest like a couple of spare spacehoppers at a 70's school sports day.

    You're right, of course, Jade is perfect.

    The thinking mans Lara Croft.

    /I need to get out more

  • pjmaybe #94 8 years ago

    OH NO OH NO It's all falling apart.

    Just when I was beginning to REALLY like this game, I'm horribly stuck in a FUCKING HORRIBLE STEALTH SECTION trying to get past guards in the factory.

    DAMMMMMIT! I really HATE stealth in games. I really do...

    Peej

  • UncleLou #95 8 years ago

    I played (and finished) that section yesterday, need any specific help?

    /buffs nails

  • IronGiant #96 8 years ago

    I couldnt agree more, i hate stealth too.. If you mean the area where you drop down from a walkway above then are faced with 3 guards and a remote laser then i know exactly what you mean!!! it got me for a while but there is a way.

  • posh_geordie #97 8 years ago

    Post deleted at 18:45:04 02-01-2012

  • daveo #98 8 years ago

    The end of game boss isn't that hard but I do find it helps if you try to start boss encounters with a full health quota.

    The stealth can be mostly avoided by just kicking their arses, but it does mean that you have to be good with that stick thing she uses...

  • Mysterious-Monei #99 8 years ago

    eh...its alright.nice stick!!wonder wot else she uses it for????skewing the pig

  • Tiger_Walts #100 8 years ago

    skewing the pig

    Is that some sort of euphemism?

  • Mysterious-Monei #101 8 years ago

    interperate it how u will...these hillyans, we dont know wot sordid acts they induldge in, cud be for cooking or painful fuckin