It's staggering how much weirdness we absorb, purely because a videogame tells us to. Beyond Good And Evil is a case in point, featuring a human heroine called Jade whose uncle is, well, a warthog... from Texas (if the accent it anything to go by). Think about the horrors in that family tree for a moment. Still, this is the latest game from the creator of limb-deficient PSone oddity Rayman, so on second thoughts, a bacon-flavoured uncle probably is as normal as this is going to get.

With its free-roaming environment (the canal-based world of Hillys) this is a supremely confident step towards the genre-blending, blockbusting likes of Jak II and Ratchet & Clank 2. The plot pitches you as photo journalist Jade, who's been hired to photograph all the different species of animal in Hillys. You see, the planet is under attack from the alien DomZ forces and while the allied army (the Alpha Sections) hold them at bay, your photographs will provide a permanent record of the region's wildlife. The thing is, it's not long before your camera skills are recognised and enlisted by a mysterious underground group called the Iris Network. And what it reveals about the war quickly turns your world upside down...

Naturally, the plot is really an invitation to race, explore, fight, puzzle, creep and generally indulge in mini-game heaven. And thanks to a simple, context-sensitive control system, and one of the most inventive inventories we've ever used, there's very little to get in the way of the fun on offer.

Key to the freshness at the heart of Beyond Good And Evil are Jade's photographic skills, as is a neat buddy system that sees her exploring alongside either her uncle Pey'J or Iris Soldier Double H for most of the game. Although Jade's companions are not fully controllable, they do have vital skills that can be used in the right circumstances by pressing Triangle. What's more, this buddy system also provides the opportunity for some great two-hander puzzles.

The world created in Beyond Good And Evil has a genuinely enjoyable internal logic to it. The game is more linear than the superlative Jak II and arguably is a little too easy for hardcore gamers. That said, this is truly a class act and comes highly recommended.

Graphics 90%
Really lovely. Quality through and through.

Sound 80%
Impressively lively score and spot-on SFX.

Gameplay 80%
Varied, and no section outstays its welcome.

Lifespan 80%
Lots to do and see, but nothing too tough.

Overall 80%
Better than Haven, not quite a Jak II-beater, this is nevertheless a gripping and totally engaging platformer.