In a surprising turn of events, Ubisoft, the renowned game development studio, found itself in a conundrum when an inadvertent release of the long-awaited Beyond Good and Evil 20th Anniversary Edition occurred. For years, Ubisoft had been adept at withholding any new installments in the Beyond Good and Evil franchise, maintaining an enigmatic silence despite occasional teaser trailers and tantalizing glimpses. However, a recent slip-up revealed more than Ubisoft intended, leaving fans both delighted and skeptical.
The saga unfolded when eagle-eyed observers noted Xbox achievements surfacing for a mysterious “Beyond Good and Evil 20th Anniversary Edition.” Speculation intensified with the sudden appearance of a listing on the Xbox store, subsequently taken down, which hinted at a remastered version of the classic game. Reports emerged of Ubisoft+ subscribers seizing the opportunity to download and play the yet-to-be-officially-announced game.
Ubisoft’s attempt to keep the lid on the leak proved futile as snippets of gameplay found their way onto the internet. Screenshots and clips circulated rapidly, providing an unexpected sneak peek into what seemed to be a remastered rendition of the iconic Beyond Good and Evil. Despite Ubisoft’s swift response in taking down the relevant store page and issuing copyright claims to scrub leaked content from YouTube, the digital realm proved resilient in preserving evidence of the unintentional revelation.
Having witnessed a portion of the leaked gameplay firsthand, it appears that the Beyond Good and Evil 20th Anniversary Edition holds promise. The remaster showcases Jade in familiar control dynamics from the 2003 release, enhanced by higher-resolution textures and improved lighting technology. An official description, before it was hastily retracted, promised a 4K experience at 60 frames per second, coupled with upgraded graphics, controls, and audio. Additionally, players can anticipate modern features such as autosave and cross-save functionalities. Intriguingly, the remaster teased a new treasure hunt in the familiar setting of Hillys, potentially tying into the elusive Beyond Good and Evil 2.
While the leaked material presented a visually appealing experience in motion, some online screenshots raised concerns about certain aspects of the remaster’s quality. Whether these are isolated instances captured at inopportune moments or indicative of deeper issues remains uncertain. Only time will reveal the true extent of the remaster’s fidelity when it officially sees the light of day.
In an unexpected move, Ubisoft abandoned its efforts to contain the leak and confirmed the existence of the Beyond Good and Evil 20th Anniversary Edition through a Twitter post. The company acknowledged the remaster’s impending release, promising more details in early 2024. However, Ubisoft emphasized that the leaked build provided to Ubisoft+ subscribers is not reflective of the final product, injecting a glimmer of hope for fans disheartened by the circulated screenshots.
The revelation marks a departure from Ubisoft’s longstanding strategy of keeping Beyond Good and Evil fans in suspense. As the gaming community eagerly awaits further information about the remaster, Ubisoft’s unintentional reveal has sparked both excitement and speculation about what surprises may await in this revamped journey with Jade and her enigmatic world.