A fascinating game that still feels fresh and original today.
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Pros:
+ Setting: The world the game is set in is a very interesting one, being a curious mix of sci-fi, fantasy, and good old anthropomorphism - it's got so many perculiar little ideas dotted throughout, and while it's a little jarring diving in with close to zero scene-setting, it's also incredibly refreshing.
+ Gameplay Variety: Another reason the game is so refreshing at first is just how varied the gameplay is - first you're fighting hand-to-hand, then you're doing some photojournalism, then you're piloting a hovercraft in a free-roaming world, followed by a little racing, then a lot of sneaking around on stealth missions... After a little while it all settles down, and you'll be slightly disappointed when the new experiences stop coming, but it's still greatly varied for a PS2 game, and the thrill of those first few hours stays with you long after.
+ Characters: While the villains and some side-characters aren't as well developed as you'd hope, the central characters are all very well written, with some nice bonds between them. Jade in particular is perfectly pitched: believably tough, yet vulnerable at the same time.
+ Animal Photography: There are a few sidequests, but the one where you try to find and catalogue all the species on the planet is the most fun - a lengthy, varied journey that genuinely gives a sense of wonder about the creatures that make up your world.
Cons:
- Underused Photography / Journalism: While there's certainly a good amount of it in the game, I felt like the whole photographic / journalistic element could have been used and developed more. It was the most unique part of the game (unusual even 8 years later), and as such, there could've been even more great gameplay opportunities to be got from it - perhaps actually getting to decide what stories you put out, how you write them, and seeing the effect it has on public opinion and events would be an exciting road to go down?
- Underdeveloped Plot: Overall, the plot is actually pretty good; but, being the first part in an intended trilogy, it's not as fleshed out as it could be (particularly regarding the ending), and you don't get a terrible amount of backstory, which is a shame for a game with such a fascinating setting. (I'd also like to know what the game's title actually has to do with any of its content!) Another disappointment is that the 'truth' of the plot is basically explained to you very early on - considering this is a game based around investigative journalism, it's a shame you don't get to discover more of what's going on through your own intuition and hard graft.
- Repetitive Stealth / Combat: For all of the kinds of gameplay on offer, sneaking and fighting still make up the bulk of it - which is a shame when these are two of the most simplistic parts of the game.
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When I reflect back on this game, I think of all the little things that could've been better, or expanded, or taken in new directions - but the fact is, there's only so much you can do with PS2 hardware, and Beyond Good & Evil already does most of what it can. The very fact that I think of all the ways it could be grander is less to do with its shortcomings than with how it inspired me, and how I wanted even more of what it had to offer - and really, that's not so bad a thing, is it?