I can’t stop thinking about Beyond: Two Souls. It’s just so weird. Ever since the title was announced as part of May 2018’s free PlayStation Plus lineup, I’ve been recalling my two playthroughs of Quantic Dream’s ghost-themed sci-fi story. I was originally rather enamoured with it on the PlayStation 3; I thought the handful of high points plastered over the admittedly awkward plot developments. I was less forgiving when I played through on the PlayStation 4 a few years later, but I still remember specific scenes.
I’m trying to think of a stranger PlayStation game. I suppose titles like Vib-Ribbon and Mister Mosquito are oddities, but they don’t take themselves anywhere near as seriously Jodie Holmes’ ghostly affair. Everything about this release is unusual, from the narrative structure which is out of a sequence – there is a remixed edition that plays out in order on the PS4, but it’s not the way it’s intended to be played at all – to some of the themes that it explores. This is a release where one moment you’re cooking curry and the next you’re on a military assignment in Africa.
So for those of you who are oblivious to what this narrative-driven adventure is about, you play as the aforementioned Jodie across a good 25 years of her life. She essentially has a “gift”; a powerful spirit that can’t be seen but is attached directly to her soul. This puts her on the radar of the military, who believe that her powers can be leveraged in combat. The game, then, is about Holmes trying to understand her circumstances, while also going through the growing pains that all young women have to endure. As a premise, it’s unusual but interesting.
The game, though, goes all over the place – and I really mean that. I don’t want to give too much away for those of you who haven’t played it, but David Cage crams so much into this script that it’s dizzying to look back on. There’s a homeless sequence, where Jodie is on the run; she ends up befriending some Native Americans for a bit; there’s a section where she infiltrates a submarine as part of the CIA; and, of course, there’s the part in Africa where she ends up escorting a young boy she can’t understand – similar to the Tenzin sequence in Uncharted 2: A Thief’s End.
And honestly, that’s just the half of it. The game seems to want to do everything at once, and it ends up a bit confused as a result. Pair that with the single protagonist, which leads to a lack of the consequences compared to Heavy Rain, and you have something of a messy end product. But despite all of that, I still remember specific sequences: getting locked in a cupboard, going to a pool bar, escaping a train. It’s a game of moments – beautifully presented, bizarre moments that stick with you long after you’ve finished.
So yeah, I’m not sure what to say about Beyond: Two Souls other than that I can’t stop thinking about it. I’ve played through it twice, and I still can’t quite believe certain events actually transpire during the campaign – it’s so bizarre in so many ways. But I appreciate the attempt at trying something different; I even kinda like it. Hats off to Ellen Page for acting her heart out with a script this cumbersome and confused – it’s a game I’ll probably never forget, for reasons both good and bad.
Have you played Beyond: Two Souls before? What are your thoughts on the game? Are you going to give it a try when it’s available with PlayStation Plus? Summon your inner spirit in the comments section below.
Comments 16
The game starts pretty slow, but it was really worth sticking with. It's one of the more memorable games I've played on the PS3. I'd like to go back and re-play it in the new 'chronological' mode though. I'm wondering how different an experience that will be.
I recommend playing completely solo if possible, but if you have someone to play start to finish with, it's worth checking out the coop mode.
I loved the game, really can't understand the hate it gets.
I've only ever played half of the game but I did find it one of the more unique games out there.
I don't see what problem people, including Sammy, have with the plot. It shows some of the most intense parts of her life. The party and her being homeless were two of my favourite. So was the one where she was running away that had much more gameplay than I expected.
I somewhat enjoyed it on PS3. Remember thinking it felt a bit disjointed and it wasn't as good as Heavy Rain but I still liked a lot of it. And like Sammy said, there's a lot of really memorable moments.
I've been meaning to replay it for a while now.
I really liked the game. Some of the chapters are brilliant.
It is definitely a strange one.
And don't forget David cage secretly mocking up a naked image of Ellen Page's character without her permission or knowledge and then putting it on the disc. Both strange and very creepy!
I can't really remember too much about it to be honest only that I really enjoyed it but not as much as Heavy Rain.
Still,not being able to remember that much is a good thing,it just means I'll definitely be d/l it tomorrow and trying it again.
I remember playing through the first time and enjoying the game. That unlocked the chapter selection option. Then I looked at the trophies...and that’s where the disappointment set in.
Throughout the game you make decisions. Weighty, consequential, decisions. Decisions that should have an impact on character and story. Yet, looking at the trophies, there was no impact for a majority of your decisions. The only trophies you didn’t get on a standard play through were relegated to three or four chapters. All those other choices you made really didn’t matter. There were no long term ramifications or impacts. It was just “in the moment”.
Again, I enjoyed the game, but was let down by it once I dug into it after my first go around. It wasn’t nearly as good as Heavy Rain in my opinion.
I really enjoyed my first play through. First time I’d played a game like this. Definitely worth a play if it’s your first time. I won’t play it again purely because of the backlog of untouched games I have.
I quite enjoyed it... I think. With the jumping around the timeline, actions have less consequence than Heavy Rain - and I wasn't keen on the relationship the game kept trying to throw me into, but it's definitely worth a play.
@LieutenantFatman That's F-d up for sure.
I will have to play this one. I usually avoid the heavy story driven games as I use my gaming for escaping, saving the heavy stories for movies and shows. At least it was PS Plus!
Great game. Graphic novel games are always my favorite. But i alway wish for abit more action for me to control.
So for me this is the perfect game. A graphic novel with action. Hope more games like this come along.
I love qd games. And beyond two souls is no exception. For me it is extraordinary game.
I am really curious to try it. But which way should I play? Original or chronological?
You know, sometimes in movies and video games vision is more beautiful than the story. InBeyond case same thing happened. David cage is a developer who can make good stories ( like what he showed us in heavy rain and his first game) but we can`t see that brilliant story points when he misses up with "Time".
The biggest problem of beyond is it can`t find a way out of the timelines. plus the rhythm of the story was gone slower and slower until the end of it. Timelines usually make us confused and I believe that is not what David wanted to happen. The reason for separating time was saying the story of Jodie deeper and more characterized but they missed it up as we saw it in the game.
Well, that was the first problem. the second problem was Aiden, a ghost who has feelings about Jodie and we play with him as a ghost. The biggest problem with doing it is no one knows how a ghost could see the world(!) and bingo! David Cage couldn't make it with his own fantasies. worse than that is gameplay with Aiden. you have low options and awful visual but you should play that part. In my opinion, there was no reason for this part of game.
This is my comment after finished it 3 times.
My suggest: never play it more than once.
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