CES 2011

Beyond Good & Evil HD Updated Hands-On

By Ricardo Torres

We try out the latest version of Ubisoft's HD update of its fan-favorite action game.

Ubisoft showed off an updated version of the forthcoming HD update of Beyond Good & Evil for Xbox Live Arcade at Microsoft's CES press event. The game is now officially part of Microsoft's House Party event on Xbox Live, which kicks off in February. With the game's release tantalizingly close, Ubisoft showed off the latest work-in-progress version of the game, which featured three short segments to play. As longtime fans, we put the game through its paces and are happy to say it just keeps looking better.

Watching the CES demo!

The last time we played Beyond Good & Evil HD, the game had just been announced and was being shown for the first time. The playable version we tried at the time looked promising and hinted at the potential of its HD makeover. The latest version we played at Microsoft's press event made it clear that a lot of progress has been made on the game. The cave, hovercraft, and stealth sequences we played were comfortably familiar and looked fantastic. We're especially pleased to hear that the game's achievements will be geared toward encouraging players to explore the rich world and snap pictures of all the wildlife. While earning that achievement may not be for everyone, we have to say that those who haven't played the game need to spend some time off the beaten path and do some exploring when they get it. Exploration is often rewarded due to the fact that the world of Hillys is dense with content in all sorts of places.

There's not much left to say about the upcoming game other than that it looks great and that anyone who missed the game when it came out should snap it up when it's released. We reckon many folks will be surprised at how forward thinking the game's story is and how clever the gameplay can be. Beyond Good & Evil HD is slated for release between February and March during Microsoft's Xbox Live House Party.

By Ricardo Torres

63 Comments

  • syam32245340

    Posted Jun 29, 2011 4:33 am GMT

    looking good!

  • CattailCat

    Posted Mar 19, 2011 3:37 am GMT

    I had this on ps2, but it kept freezing so I was forced to return it. Seemed like a really interesting game for the short time I was able to play it. I believe the freezing issue was caused by an incompatibility with my PS2 slim, but I'm not sure. All I know is that it's a shame I wasn't able to enjoy this game...

  • Docky2k6

    Posted Jan 19, 2011 3:53 am GMT

    Get the splinter cell collection and the shadow of the colossus and ICO collection out on the ps3 NOW! I'm choking to get my night vision stealth and heartfelt monster slaying skills on the go asap.

  • qubeley

    Posted Jan 17, 2011 5:42 pm GMT

    Coolness thanks Psychokillaz

  • Psychokillaz

    Posted Jan 16, 2011 3:18 am GMT

    @qubeley

    It is coming to PS3 too. So is the Splinter Cell, Tomb Raider collections. The Prince of Persia, God of War & Sly Cooper collections are out now. ICO & Shadows of the Colossus HD remakes otw too all for the PS3

  • Psychokillaz

    Posted Jan 16, 2011 3:15 am GMT

    Now if only the re-did the Fear Effect series especially Retro Helix!!!

  • RDB26

    Posted Jan 15, 2011 5:51 pm GMT

    I really regret selling this game back in the day. Can't wait to replay it!

  • Yams1980

    Posted Jan 14, 2011 12:27 pm GMT

    I have yet to play this game, I have it on pc but never got to playing it... it looks interesting

  • volcomstoner180

    Posted Jan 12, 2011 9:37 am GMT

    so pumped to replay this game...definetely one of the top 5 games from last gen of consoles and PC

  • rosen22

    Posted Jan 12, 2011 3:03 am GMT

    played this on the pc and its a great story, frustrating gameplay later on at times, but it was worth battling through because you build up a connection with the characters. shame they arent throwing this on the pc considering it made its name there and would certainly be something i would like to re experience.
    seems the way the wind is blowing with most devs now..poor

  • Microsteve

    Posted Jan 12, 2011 1:24 am GMT

    Never got this 1st time around, could be worth checking out

  • chechak7

    Posted Jan 11, 2011 2:01 pm GMT

    i ve played the game long time ago (original ) it's great but i will not play it again because it is just HD

  • nickps1

    Posted Jan 11, 2011 4:40 am GMT

    I would buy it if i had xbox 360

  • Pete5506

    Posted Jan 10, 2011 8:09 pm GMT

    I will be getting this for sure

  • qubeley

    Posted Jan 10, 2011 5:24 pm GMT

    Is it only on Xbox? I got and finished the Cube version but would like to see this release on PS3 too.

  • hanslacher54

    Posted Jan 10, 2011 3:34 pm GMT

    I'm excited for this, but I wish that they just made the sequel already...

  • Drkr_Zen

    Posted Jan 10, 2011 2:56 pm GMT

    While I agree that I'd love to see a sequel to this masterpiece of a game over a remake of it... you have to take into account that these HD remakes are a great way to generate resources for developers.

    They essentially re-release an already made product with a few tweaks, not expending too many resources in the process, and sell it for how much it would cost for its Greatest Hits price and have a chance to reap a lot of profit due to this low risk venture.

    At the same time, they can test the waters and see just how interested the fans that are already out there still are... as well as generate a new fanbase for those that missed out on these great games. In the end, it means (if developers are smart) more money to put toward new projects involving these HD'd series they're re-releasing.

  • arruu2000

    Posted Jan 10, 2011 11:42 am GMT

    Well, I admit Starcraft 2 has better things than its predecessor but... still... Same game mechanics, same races, same map styles, same characters, same strenghts and weaknesses ... more o less. For example... i would say that Warcraft 2 is the same game than Warcraft 1... but Warcraft 3 is very different... more races, different mechanics, different chars, different story... quite enough to stand as an original game on its own... But, this Beyond Good and Evil... is not just more or less the same... it looks like it is 99% the exact same game. Guess you agree with that.

  • kvan33

    Posted Jan 10, 2011 11:39 am GMT

    I really hope this is just primer to get people ready for a true BG&E sequel. There's too many games, and not enough time for me to play HD remakes.

  • YankeeDan345

    Posted Jan 10, 2011 11:18 am GMT

    @ARRUU2000

    SC2 is only the same game in the way that SF2 is the same game as SF4.