Beyond Good & Evil

Imagination isn?t dead?it just got swallowed in this ambitious fable by Rayman creator Michel Ancel.

A virtual parade of bizarre and awesome things to look at, this ambitious fable feels like a maturely surreal PC graphic adventure (? la The Longest Journey) tempered by polished console action/adventure gameplay from Star Fox Adventures or The Wind Waker. Beyond Good & Evil centers on a character named Jade, a freelance reporter on the watery world of Hyllis who earns money by traveling via hovercraft (Wind Waker-style, ?til she learns how to fly) to exotic locations to photograph rare species and events. Jade also happens to be (quite unwittingly) at the epicenter of an interstellar war, as super-creepy H.R. Giger organ aliens (known as the DomZ) dip down to the planet?s surface to steal people for ethereal fuel and other unfathomable purposes?and, what?s worse, they?re probably doing so with the Orwellian government?s secret blessing.

Everything about BG&E?story, characters, cut-scenes, battles?is epic and cinematic, with tons of voices, cut-scenes, and fight sequences that melt into dramatic slo-mo. The visuals are easily in the upper echelon of PS2 titles, with some really unique-looking character designs and environment. The game blends action with more LucasArts-style puzzles (reminiscent of the upcoming Full Throttle remake), too, meaning puzzles will be more cerebral and story-driven than what you might be used to. Sidekicks play an important role in the gameplay, too, as Jade is often accompanied by another character with unique abilities. An early character, for example, has a pair of Jet Boots that knock enemies on the ground, and can use a special tool to break through grates and fences that Jade can?t quite handle herself. The characters often have to work together to get through areas?kinda like Ico, only with a boorish pig instead of a glowing princess.

Beyond Good & Evil hits stores in November for all three consoles (PS2, GC, and Xbox). If the upcoming ?year of the sequel? has you worried that originality might finally be dead, fear not, intrepid gamer. Hope lies in the Beyond.

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