Jade Empire review:
I recommend Jade Empire for anyone that is really into RPG or fighter genres and even to those who just enjoy a game with a good plot. This game is one that you can play long after you have finished it the first time. - Amanda Lewis, Grrlgamer.com
Jade Empire review:
That didn't matter to me at all. This game was well worth the wait for me, and I'm sure all of you RPG fans will love it too, especially if you really dig the Asian culture. Jade Empire is totally immaculate. I think now I'm going to go back and replay it—only this time, I'm going to play the "dark side," or the "Way of the Closed Fist."
Jade Empire review:
If you want a hardcore RPG or a thrill-a-minute action game, Jade Empire is going to be a letdown, but if you want a decent blend of the two genres, with a pretty well-told story thrown in for kicks, it might just do the trick. Bioware has proven once again they are a company to be trusted, but the question for the ages is: will they ever trump Knights of the Old Republic?
Jade Empire review:
BioWare is best known for Baldur’s Gate, Neverwinter Nights, and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. It was just a matter of time before they would step out with a...
Jade Empire review:
It would be a crime to miss out on this obvious Game of the Year candidate.The Deeko MinuteNot your ordinary Action/Adventure RPGA Brilliantly simplistic battle systemGorgeuous visuals and powerful soundtrackExcellent story and stellar voice talentDifficulty: MediumNumber of Players: 1Other RecommendationsKnights of The Old Republic(XBOX)Neverwinter Nights(PC)Baldurs Gate(PC)
Jade Empire review:
Overall, Jade Empire is a fantastic RPG that takes severalconcepts from various games and genres, simplifies them, and puts them into aneat package. It’s not as deep as Knights of the Old Republic and seems to bemore of what was promised with Fable. If you’re a fan of games in general, youcan’t go wrong with purchasing Jade Empire
Jade Empire review:
This is one of those must own titles for everyone with an Xbox and if you don’t own the console, this is a great reason to buy one. Pros: Amazing atmosphere Real time combat is a blast Story is very rich Cons: Some minor glitches Slightly lacking character development
Jade Empire review:
Because your character choices take you in such drastically different directions, you'll also be in for some replay out of curiosity alone – especially when you see what characters can do toward the end of the game. It's not of the same scope of KOTOR, and it's not limited by that game's image. It's one of the best RPG experiences you'll find. -- Ernie Halal
Jade Empire review:
The Jade Empire is corrupt. The men at the top seek only greed, and are being unknowingly controlled by an even greater power known only as Death’s Hand. It is up to you, and a few followers, to set things straight in the empire. Jade Empire is a story of honour, truth, loyalty, deception, betrayal, and most of all pride. Conquer enemies in all corners of the Jade Empire to unleash the true power within yourself. Collect amulets, raise levels, and gather the best possible equipment and skills you can conjure, because the Jade Empire awaits you.GameplayThe thing that stands out the most about Jade Empire is its combat system. There’s nothing else on the market like it today, and we’re very proud of what BioWare has accomplished. If they can incorporate this in to Jade Empire 2 and have it released ready for the Xbox 360, then we’ll be more than happy to buy it and play it through. There are over thirty different styles of fighting to learn, each benefiting you in battle in a different way. If you know the ways of RPG fighting then you’re probably familiar with most of the different types that you’ll come across in Jade Empire, but in Jade Empire you can upgrade each style to perfect it.You can learn as many different fighting styles as you wish, however there are some styles that you can only use if they fall under the category of whatever way you are playing the game. If you choose the way of the open palm, then you’ll be able to enjoy the clean fighting that all the masters of the Jade Empire have been using for hundreds of years, however if you choose to follow the way of the closed fist, then you are able to learn the tactics of dirty fighting, useful to those who wish to kill enemies nastily. You don’t get to choose at the start what way you decide to go, it’s entirely based on your actions in conversation and battle. Treat people nicely, and of course you’ll be heading up to heaven; treat people bad, killing them for your own amusement, and you’ll be going straight down to hell.There are loads of different enemies ranging from ghosts to cannibals, and even clay statues that come to life, however the most interesting battles are of course against the NPCs that you’ve gotten to know. Throughout your quest, you meet a dozen people that become your followers. You can select one out of them to follow you around and help you throughout battle, and they can be swapped at any time throughout the game. There are three characters that you can’t select though, as they are not fighting characters, they help you in other ways. We’ll let you find out about that one by yourself though!We found the Jade Empire story had a few flaws. You get to go to a heaven, yet they speak of many that you never encounter. The Jade Empire seems quite small when it comes down to it, and there’s barely any reason to use the Dragonfly airship. We found that it is unnecessary to purchase or sell items throughout the game, as you earn everything that you need through victories and raiding areas, and it is not required that you rely on your followers in battle, nor keep them alive in the midst.These are basically the only bad things we found about Jade Empire though. It is a huge game that will keep the average person playing for at least twenty hours the first time through, but there were a lot of side quests that seemed pointless and uninteresting. The Dragonfly missions are without a doubt the worst part of the game; however retro fans may enjoy the fact that a “space invaders” type game is in place, as you travel around the empire. It’s unbelievable how many different airships you shoot down though, when you consider they are supposedly hard to come by, as they tell you in the game. You can upgrade your Dragonfly once you get about halfway through the game, which is yet another pointless activity that doesn’t really need to be done.GraphicsThe Jade Empire is beyond spectacular. It defies all graphical requirements that we knew for Xbox RPG’s. If you’re looking for a dazzling experience similar to that of the new Zelda game coming out for GameCube, pick up a copy of Jade Empire as soon as possible. There are dozens of unique environments that only a gamer can experience, as you go everywhere from heaven to the underworld in your epic journey to conquer all things evil. Hundreds of non-playable characters make up the societal world of Jade Empire, and you’ll find yourself meeting close friends, helping wandering strangers, and knowing the face of your enemies quite well.Camera angles prove to be a bit frustrating at times. If your idea of a good fight involves close combat, then the camera will have to do some very swift readjustments in order to stay behind you. If you’re in a small area when fighting, then the camera can of course end up stuck up against a wall, giving you a very close view of the fight. All in all though, the amount of effort gone in to making Jade Empire look beautiful is amazing, and truly an experience not to be missed by any RPG fan.SoundVoice-overs have never been any better. BioWare are well known for their dialog and conversational techniques in video games - just take a look at the Knights of The Old Republic games, and you’ll see what we mean. Not only are the voice-overs good, but also there is a whole array of environmental noises that will keep you interested. The splash of water, the crash of explosions, everything in Jade Empire has been finely crafted for your enjoyment. The soundtrack is very interesting, providing some solid RPG music all the way to the very end. The music picks up the pace when you’re in a battle, and it soothes back to that normal RPG style music when you’re traveling around. If the music goes silent, you can be pretty sure there is danger in the vicinity.OverallIt may not be the Morrowind killer in our eyes, but Jade Empire is a very solid title that will keep you playing right to the very end. Follow the way of the open palm, or bury yourself with the way of the closed fist, it’s inevitably up to you. There are three different endings to be experienced, one of which can be experienced whether you’re good or evil, which was a bit of a let down. We were kind of hoping that in the end, you could go back to all the places you’ve visited and talk to all the NPCs to have them congratulate you, and also be able to collect all the stuff you missed out on, but unfortunately it just ends, similar to this review.Thumbs Up One of the best RPG’s on Xbox. A solid title not to be missed. Gorgeous environments. Loads of NPCs, each with their own story to tell about the empire. Dolby Digital surround sound. Unique and very enjoyable combat system.Thumbs Down A bit short for an RPG if you only want to play it through once. We beat it in under 15 hours (not including a few of the side quests, which would probably take around 4 to 5 hours extra). Not as vast as we were hoping for. Jade Empire could be a lot bigger, and there could have been a lot of alternate routes to achieve victory. full size >>
Jade Empire review:
On that point, the game isn't far from flawlessness. The combat is hugely disappointing though – I just can't see how something with this quality of production ended up with such a weak portion of the game. Maybe there is a future in it somewhere and it just needs some more work, but it certainly wouldn't put me off buying another BioWare game.
Jade Empire review:
If you enter with the right expectations, Jade Empire is entirely satisfying and much better than Knights of the Old Republic. As a final note: for all of the rat demons out there who encounter someone and ask that someone to find them ducks for dinner, run. Run very far away, because I will smite thee!
Jade Empire review:
Jade Empire is quite simply a great game. Is this game going to change what you think about RPG's? No. But if you're a fan of these sort of action RPG's then I would highly recommend picking up a copy of Jade Empire because the game really does have quite a lot to offer.
Jade Empire review:
Though most would be satisfied with a tough and nasty, free roaming 3D fighting game swathed in a beautifully rendered, modernized visions of ancient Asian mythology, Jade Empire is all that and then some.
Jade Empire review:
Whenever a chance pops up during conversation to use one of the skills, the other two will also be available, and the rank for each of the skills increases with your attributes at each new character level.<< Start < Prev 1 2 Next > End >>
Jade Empire review:
I'm on an epic quest. I mean that very seriously. This is a truly Epic Quest, deserving of not one but two capital letters. We're not just talking about personal revenge here, although there's a healthy dose of that involved, of course. No, this is altogether more serious. Someone's only gone and screwed up the natural balance of all creation.
Jade Empire review:
After finishing that, the game takes you to the styles menu, where you are given a certain amount of skill points to upgrade whichever style you wish. This generally breaks down into improving on three areas within each skill, such as chi cost, strength, and speed, though there are slight variations for a few other styles.
Jade Empire review:
But it’s not in our interest to wax rhapsodic about their past accomplishments when we are staring their latest dead in its third eye. Jade Empire is here, and it’s about time we dealt with it.
Jade Empire review:
+ Deep, interesting story+ Intricate, but easy to understand leveling up system+ In-depth, but beginner-friendly combat system+ Choose between good and evil+ Flashy and satisfying attack techniques+ Multiple character types to choose from at the start+ Mini-games are a nice extra- Graphics are slightly lacking in some areas- Control is a bit too loose at times
Jade Empire review: