Ubisoft recently re-confirmed that Beyond Good & Evil 2 is still in development, despite being announced all the way back in 2008. This news came through an official tweet from the game’s account, assuring fans that the title is still on the way. But after 16 years, fans are more indifferent than excited.
Whether the game can recapture lost excitement remains to be seen. The publisher will need to not only deliver a phenomenal game that lives up to expectations, but also rebuilds trust.
Beyond Good & Evil 2 Has Been in Development Hell
Beyond Good & Evil 2 has had one of the longest and most tumultuous development cycles in video game history. Initially announced in 2008 with a flashy CGI trailer, the game seemed like it was going to be the next big thing from the developer. But as the years went by, updates became rare, and it slipped into development limbo.
Cool see you in 4 years!
— JorRaptor (@Jorraptor) June 24, 2024
In 2017, the publisher brought the game back into the spotlight during E3, revealing that it would be a prequel to the original game, set in System 3, a star system where hybrids of humans and animals exist.
The game’s ambition sounded incredible if the trailer was to be believed. It showcased an open world, seamless transitions from city streets to space, and a deep, narrative-driven experience. Yet, since then, concrete updates have been few and far between.
The publisher’s recent assurance that the game is still being worked on is probably more frustrating than reassuring for fans who have waited over a decade for its release. Many still wonder why exactly the game is taking so long, and if Ubisoft and its dozens of studios can’t seem to figure out a direction for the game, or if the project just hasn’t been a priority for them for a long time.
Beyond Good & Evil Remastered Should Hold Over Fans for Now
While we wait for the sequel, Ubisoft has remastered the original Beyond Good & Evil. The 20th-anniversary edition adds updated lighting, character models, speed run mode, and a few new missions that will supposedly tie into the sequel.
This remaster is a nice touch, especially since the original game is hard to come by. The title, which follows photojournalist, Jade, on her quest to uncover an alien conspiracy, combines elements of stealth, combat, and puzzle-solving. The remaster is a great sign that the publisher is still committed to releasing the sequel, eventually.
The fan reaction to Ubisoft’s latest announcement has been less than enthusiastic. After 16 years, many have moved on from the initial anticipation and hype. It’s hard to get excited about a game that has been in the pipeline for so long without substantial progress. Even if the studio does share a release timeframe, what’s stopping it from getting delayed even further?
The publisher’s ongoing commitment to the project is commendable, but it also highlights the challenges and mismanagement within its development process. With creative directors coming and going, and with the series’ original creator leaving the studio amid controversies, the future of Beyond Good & Evil 2 remains indefinite.
Are you hopeful that the sequel will eventually be released one day? Let us know in the comments below.
