Beyond Good & Evil Celebrates 20th Anniversary with Remastered Edition

Fun Fact: Did you know that the character Kirby was originally created as a placeholder? When Masahiro Sakurai was developing "Kirby's Dream Land" for the Game Boy, he used a simple, round character as a temporary sprite. However, the team grew fond of this simple design, and it eventually became the official character we know and love today as Kirby.

In today’s email:

• Beyond Good & Evil Celebrates 20th Anniversary with Remastered Edition

• Car Park Capital: The Retro-Tycoon Game You Didn’t Know You Needed

• The Timeless Appeal of CRT TVs for Retro Gaming

REMAKE

Beyond Good & Evil Celebrates 20th Anniversary with Remastered Edition

Grab your controllers and get ready to dive back into one of the most beloved cult classics out there. Ubisoft's iconic action-adventure game, Beyond Good & Evil, just got a slick new makeover for its 20th anniversary. Say hello to "Beyond Good & Evil - 20th Anniversary Edition," which launched on June 25, 2024. It's the perfect excuse to relive those memories or jump in for the first time.

Key Upgrades and New Content:

Visual Enhancements: This remaster isn’t just a simple touch-up. We’re talking fully revamped graphics, supporting resolutions up to 4K at 60 FPS. The textures are sharper, and the new dynamic lighting system makes Hillys look more vibrant and detailed than ever.

Quality of Life Improvements: They’ve thrown in some modern comforts too. Autosave? Check. Skip cutscenes? Absolutely. And yes, the controls have been modernized. Plus, you can now enjoy cross-save support, so you can switch platforms without losing your progress.

New Gameplay Features: For the speed demons out there, a new speedrun mode lets you test your skills. And for the completionists, there are over 20 new achievements/trophies to unlock.

Anniversary Gallery: Dive into the history of Beyond Good & Evil with a behind-the-scenes gallery featuring unreleased art, videos, and fun anecdotes from the developers.

New Quest Content: There's a fresh treasure hunt system that delves deeper into Jade's past, offering new cosmetic rewards. It even hints at connections to the long-awaited Beyond Good & Evil 2.

Availability:

Beyond Good & Evil - 20th Anniversary Edition is out now on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC (via Ubisoft Store, Steam, and Epic Games Store). For the collectors, Limited Run Games has got you covered with physical editions, including a special Collector's Edition. Pre-orders start on July 12, so set your alarms!

Reception and Legacy:

When Beyond Good & Evil first dropped in 2003, it didn’t exactly fly off the shelves. But over the years, it’s built a loyal following that’s kept the love alive. This remaster is a perfect chance for both longtime fans and newcomers to experience Jade’s adventure in its best form yet.

Sure, some reviewers noted that the visual upgrades sometimes clash with the original’s aesthetic and dated animations. But the core gameplay and storytelling that made the original a classic? Still as captivating as ever.

Looking Ahead:

This remaster has reignited the buzz around the Beyond Good & Evil franchise. Fans are hoping this means we’re closer to seeing Beyond Good & Evil 2 finally hit the shelves. Ubisoft has been pretty quiet about the sequel, but fingers crossed, this is a good sign.

For now, whether you’re a seasoned fan or new to the game, this remastered edition is a fantastic way to experience or re-experience the magic of Beyond Good & Evil. So, what are you waiting for? Dive back into Hillys and save the world one more time.

RETRO

Car Park Capital: The Retro-Tycoon Game You Didn’t Know You Needed

Ever thought parking garages could be fun? Yeah, us neither. But Car Park Capital is here to change that. Inspired by classics like SimCity and RollerCoaster Tycoon, this new game from Hilkojj Interactive turns the mundane into an engaging strategy adventure. Ready to build the ultimate parking empire?

The Concept

At its heart, Car Park Capital is a sandbox sim where you design and manage massive parking garages. Set in a fictionalized USA, where driving is a way of life, you’ve got to handle the growing demand for parking spaces. Every decision impacts traffic flow and citizen satisfaction. Build, optimize, and watch your city thrive (or not)!

Gameplay Mechanics

What sets this game apart? It's all about the details. Each citizen has unique behaviors, adding layers of complexity. Think about peak hours, special events, and even using propaganda to lure citizens to your garages. Yeah, you read that right—propaganda trucks straight out of 1950s films. It’s not just about parking spaces; it’s about strategic city planning.

You get a robust 3D map editing tool to let your creativity run wild. Multi-floor structures, intricate layouts, and smooth traffic flow—your imagination is the limit. Make every space count and keep those cars (and dollars) rolling in.

Strategic Depth

Balancing act, anyone? You’ve got to juggle construction costs, parking fees, and maintenance. Competition from other facilities and an ever-changing urban landscape keep you on your toes. Plus, those propaganda trucks aren’t just for show—they’re a crucial part of your strategy to influence public opinion and boost your garage’s popularity.

Visual and Aesthetic Appeal

Styled like a late 90s tycoon game with a modern twist, Car Park Capital hits all the nostalgia buttons. The graphics are a throwback, but polished for today’s standards. Detailed vehicles, buildings, and citizens create an immersive, visually appealing experience that’s both retro and fresh.

Community and Development

Still in early development, Car Park Capital doesn’t have a release date yet, but it’s already making waves. Check out the demo and join the discussions on Steam and Reddit. Hilkojj Interactive is actively engaging with the community for feedback, so your input could shape the game!

Car Park Capital is set to be a standout in the simulation genre. Whether you’re a fan of classic sim games or looking for a new challenge, this game promises hours of strategic fun. Keep an eye on its release and get ready to build the greatest car parks ever!

TECH

The Timeless Appeal of CRT TVs for Retro Gaming

In a world where sleek, high-def flat screens rule, the old-school, bulky CRT TV might seem like a dusty relic. But for true retro gaming aficionados, nothing beats the authentic feel of a CRT. Let's dive into why these classic TVs still reign supreme for retro games.

The Authentic Experience

Nostalgia and Authenticity

For many of us, the magic of CRT TVs lies in the nostalgia they evoke. These were the screens we grew up with during gaming's golden age. Firing up Super Mario or Sonic on a CRT isn’t just playing a game—it’s a time machine back to our childhood. The experience is as genuine as it gets; the games look and feel exactly like they did decades ago.

Designed for CRTs

Back in the day, game developers designed their masterpieces specifically for CRT technology. The scanlines, the slight curvature of the screen—these weren’t quirks; they were features. Modern flat screens, with their sharp resolutions and different aspect ratios, often miss the mark. They just can’t capture that classic visual vibe.

Technical Advantages

• Virtually No Input Lag

  Here’s where CRTs truly shine: zero input lag. The delay between pressing a button and seeing the action on screen is almost non-existent. This is crucial for games that demand quick reflexes and perfect timing, like platformers and fighters. Modern screens, even the best of them, can’t keep up.

• Superior Motion Clarity

  CRTs handle motion like a dream. Fast-paced scenes stay crisp and clear, free from the dreaded motion blur that plagues many flat screens. Whether it’s a fast-moving background or rapid character movements, everything stays sharp and smooth.

• Vibrant Colors and Deep Blacks

  CRTs are kings of color and contrast. They can produce true blacks and vibrant colors, making retro games pop with life. Modern displays often struggle with backlighting issues, but CRTs? They nail it every time.

Practical Considerations

Resolution and Aspect Ratio

Retro games were built for the lower resolutions and 4:3 aspect ratio of CRTs. Displaying them on modern screens can stretch, pixelate, or blur the images. CRTs keep it real, showing games exactly as they were meant to be seen.

Analog Signal Compatibility

Old-school consoles output analog signals, which CRTs handle perfectly. Modern flat screens often need adapters or upscalers, and even then, the image quality can’t compare to a native CRT display.

The Challenges

Size and Weight

Let’s be real—CRTs are bulky beasts. They take up space and are heavy to move around. Plus, finding a working CRT can be tough since they’re not made anymore. But for many, these are small prices to pay for that authentic gaming experience.

Maintenance and Reliability

CRTs aren’t without their issues. They can suffer from screen burn-in and component failures, which can be tricky and costly to fix. Finding parts isn’t easy either. But dedicated enthusiasts know it’s worth the effort to keep these vintage beauties running.

Modern flat screens are great for many things, but when it comes to retro gaming, they just can’t match the charm of a CRT. With minimal input lag, superior motion clarity, vibrant colors, and that nostalgic feel, CRTs offer a gaming experience true to the original. So dust off that old CRT, plug in your favorite classic console, and play retro games the way they were meant to be played.