3. Beyond Good and Evil (Multi-format) (2003)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBO0RgR1H4w Sometimes a developer can hit all the right notes and still come up short... Beyond Good And Evil is a 3rd person action-adventure developed by Rayman creator Michel Ancel. Released in 2003, the game suffered from dismal sales despite receiving glowing reviews from critics. You play as Jade, a young investigative reporter thrust into a world of political espionage, global conflict and deceit. The game features a strong plot and mature themes that run parallel with the almost cartoon like fantasy environment the plot takes place in. Gameplay typically involved the player using Jade's photography skills and martial arts skills to complete a set of linear tasks. Exploration of the world was actively encouraged between missions with most of the gameplay centered around photographing rare animals in return for cash and scientific kudos. The game didn't go without endorsement. Critics generally loved the game while a few famous faces publicly endorsed the game The Hobbit director Peter Jackson counts BG&E as his favourite video game. Open world exploration of a beautifully grim fantasy world, amazing graphics, a captivating story featuring an investigative journalist as your protagonist. There's also a talking hog. With all these positives, BG&E should have been a winner for Ubisoft. Instead, it went straight to the bargain bin. A sequel was announced in 2008, much to the delight of the entire internet. Since announcement, no real news on the sequel has been revealed, probably due to Ubisoft moving development focus to the Rayman franchise.