The Cockroach of Gaming: Why Beyond Good and Evil 2 Refuses to Die

It is the question that refuses to go away: How, in an era of mass studio closures and high-profile project cancellations, does Beyond Good and Evil 2 still have a pulse? We have watched Ubisoft put beloved franchises on ice, scrap the Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake mid-development, and restructure entire departments. Yet, through every purge, this sequel remains. Ubisoft recently confirmed that the project is still a priority within their strategy for open-world adventures. For a game that has been in development hell for over 17 years, that is more than just a survival story—it is a statistical anomaly.

To put this timeline in perspective, the original Beyond Good and Evil was released in 2003. When fans first started asking for a sequel, the first iPhone didn't exist, and the PlayStation 2 was the king of consoles. Since then, the project has outlasted its original creative director’s retirement, the tragic passing of its second director, and more corporate pivots than most tech startups see in a lifetime. It is officially the longest-gestating project in gaming history.

But why does Ubisoft keep the lights on for a sequel to a game that, while critically acclaimed, was a commercial underdog two decades ago? The answer lies in the unique DNA of the franchise and a strategic bet on a very specific kind of player loyalty.

The Magic of Hillys: Why We Still Care

If you didn’t play the original game in the early 2000s, it might be hard to understand why people are still holding their breath for a sequel. Beyond Good and Evil wasn't just another action-adventure game; it was a masterclass in world-building. You played as Jade, a photojournalist living in an orphanage inside a lighthouse on the planet Hillys.

The game stood out because it felt human. It wasn't just about hitting things with a staff; it was about exposing a government conspiracy through investigative journalism. The photography mechanic—where you earned money and progressed by snapping pictures of the planet’s diverse wildlife—wasn't a tacked-on gimmick. It was the heart of the experience. It made you look at the world, not just run through it.

Then there were the characters. Jade’s "uncle," Pey’j, a grumpy but lovable anthropomorphic pig who served as a mechanic, gave the story an emotional weight that few games of that era achieved. The blend of stealth, hovercraft racing, and puzzle-solving created a rhythm that felt entirely unique. It’s that specific soul—the sense of a small person fighting a big, corrupt system—that fans are desperate to see replicated on a modern, galactic scale.

The 20th Anniversary Edition: The Gift You Can Actually Buy

For years, talking about this franchise felt like discussing a ghost story. You couldn't recommend it to friends without caveats about outdated hardware or clunky ports. That changed recently with the release of the Beyond Good and Evil 20th Anniversary Edition.

If you are looking for a tangible way to celebrate this series or want to introduce a friend to why the sequel matters, this is the move. This isn't just a lazy upscale; it is a polished, definitive version of the 2003 classic. It runs in 4K at 60 frames per second, features a re-orchestrated soundtrack, and includes a brand-new Treasure Hunt mode that actually links the story of the original game to the upcoming sequel.

As a gift, it is a no-brainer for several reasons:

First, it is accessible. It’s available on all modern platforms (PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and PC) and is usually priced around twenty dollars. Second, it serves as a litmus test. If someone enjoys the mix of exploration and storytelling here, they will understand the hype for the sequel. Finally, it includes a digital gallery with never-before-seen development sketches and videos from the game’s history, making it a genuine collector’s item for enthusiasts. Instead of waiting for a sequel that may still be years away, this is a high-quality, actionable way to engage with the franchise right now.

What the Sequel’s Survival Means for Gamers

Ubisoft’s insistence that Beyond Good and Evil 2 is a "strategic priority" tells us a lot about the current state of the industry. In a world of safe, iterative sequels, this project represents the "Big Swing." The trailers we have seen over the years suggest a game of staggering ambition—a seamless, planet-hopping open world where you can go from a small bar on a space station to the atmosphere of a distant moon without a loading screen.

For the average gamer, the fact that Ubisoft hasn't killed this project is a sign of long-term vision. They aren't just looking for the next yearly release; they are trying to build a landmark title that can define their brand for the next decade. If the sequel can capture even half of the original’s charm while delivering on that galactic scale, it could be the kind of game that justifies a console purchase.

However, we have to be honest about the risks. Seventeen years of development often leads to a "Frankenstein" effect, where different eras of design philosophy are stitched together. When a game stays in the oven this long, it runs the risk of feeling dated the moment it arrives, or worse, losing the intimate, character-driven focus that made the first game so special. Ubisoft is betting that the IP is strong enough to survive the transition from a cult classic to a massive blockbuster.

A Verdict on Patience

Beyond Good and Evil 2 is no longer just a video game; it is a symbol of creative persistence. Whether it eventually becomes a masterpiece or a cautionary tale, its existence proves that some ideas are too good to stay buried, even in a ruthless corporate climate.

If you are a fan or know someone who is, don’t spend your energy tracking development rumors or looking for pre-orders that don't exist yet. Instead, lean into what is actually here. Pick up the 20th Anniversary Edition, rediscover Jade and Pey’j, and see for yourself why this world was worth saving in the first place. The sequel will get here when it gets here, but the magic that started it all is finally available in its best possible form.

In a world of cancellations, that is a victory worth celebrating.