Beyond Good & Evil 20th Anniversary Edition is an action-adventure game available on PS5 that lets players step into the role of Jade, an investigative reporter uncovering alien threats on the planet Hillys. The title blends exploration, light combat, puzzle solving, and photography into a cohesive single-player experience that emphasizes freedom within a compact world. Players control Jade as she navigates varied environments, interacts with companions, and documents events using her signature camera while wielding a daï-jo fighting stick for defense.
Gameplay
The core loop revolves around open-ended exploration of Hillys, where players move freely between urban districts, rural areas, and restricted zones. Jade collects photographic evidence of wildlife and suspicious activity to support her reporting, which ties directly into progression and story advancement. Combat involves timing strikes with the daï-jo against enemies of different sizes, often supported by companion characters who assist in fights and provide unique abilities during sequences. Puzzles require observation and item use, frequently involving environmental interaction or temporary team-ups. Hovercraft sections add racing elements against AI opponents across water and land routes, while scattered mini-games offer short diversions such as timing challenges or simple coordination tasks. The remaster introduces quality-of-life improvements including autosave, refined controls that feel responsive on PS5, and the option to skip cutscenes without losing context.
Game Modes
The primary experience is the full single-player campaign that follows Jade's investigation from start to finish. A dedicated speedrun mode allows players to replay the story with timing tools and updated achievements to encourage faster completions and personal bests. The anniversary gallery functions as a separate viewing area that presents development materials, concept art, and behind-the-scenes videos unlocked through play. A new treasure hunt overlays the main world with clue-based objectives that reward cosmetic items and additional story details about Jade's background when completed.
Technical Upgrades and Presentation
On PS5 the game runs at up to 4K resolution and 60 frames per second, with two selectable modes that prioritize either visual fidelity or performance. Graphics receive a clean polish that preserves the original bright color palette while reducing visual noise and improving texture clarity. Audio updates include a remastered soundtrack that maintains the original compositions alongside clearer voice work and sound effects. Cross-save support lets progress transfer between PS4 and PS5 versions or other platforms when accounts are linked, and the game requires an internet connection plus Ubisoft and PlayStation Network accounts for full feature access.
Is It Worth Playing?
Player ratings on the PlayStation Store sit at approximately 4.76 out of 5 based on thousands of reviews, reflecting broad satisfaction with the remaster's handling of the original content. The experience suits those who enjoy narrative-driven adventures that mix investigation, light action, and creative tools like photography rather than high-intensity combat or large-scale multiplayer. Newcomers benefit from modern controls and the ability to skip lengthy sequences, while returning fans gain the speedrun mode and gallery for deeper engagement. The title remains a focused, self-contained story without ongoing seasons or live-service elements, making it a straightforward purchase for anyone interested in a polished version of this classic action-adventure title.
