Product ReviewsJade Empire (Microsoft Xbox, 2005)

"You're Kung Fu is good...but mine is better!"

The first thing I noticed while playing Jade Empire was the lack of Character customization, and no I don't mean the traits and abilities like Mind, Body and Spirit upgrades or even the fighting/support styles to which their linked. I'm talking about the visuals, stuff like outfits and armor. It just didn't seem right that aside from the color of my alignment (open or closed fist), my character couldn't sport any new looks like was done in KotOR. By the end of the game my character looked just as he did when he was an apprentice at the Two Rivers training school. Eh, but in the scope of things, it's not that big of a deal I guess.

A more major issue was the fact that hardly any of JE's characters had even the slightest Chinese accent. There were two characters that I remember vividly with voices that just made me cringe. One was a overly happy guy in Tiens Landing who sounded like some creepy used car salesman and another guy in the city fighting arena who sounded like(and I kid you not) "The Comic Book Guy" from the Simpsons. It all just seemed so wrong and out of place.

Another thing that was reintroduced was the dialogue trees used to give players the ability (some would say "illusion") to choose what to say towards NPC's responses. Don't get me wrong, it's not a terrible concept, but after awhile you'll find yourself skipping whole conversations because it's all so predictable and long-winded (although the evil responses tend to be somewhat humorous at times).

I was also a bit annoyed that the games ending(s) weren't very spectacular or epic (although the one big twist at the end had me scratching my noggin in wonder and confusion, I was definitely caught off guard. I was kind of hoping that I'd get some 3-5 five minute eye candy for my troubles and not just some lame "where are they now" thing done completely in text. Although if your patient enough to stick around for the credits, you'll get some funny dialogue going on with a familiar character.

Okay, so you've read what seems to be a lot of negativity on my part so far and your wondering why I still gave JE a 4/5? Well simply put, this was a very solid game with a good story to boot. There were very rare moments to where I thought JE was either too easy or difficult, and that's something that can sink a game. Look at Ninja Gaiden for example, now theres a game that's just way too difficult for it's own good. It's the reason why it's only liked by the very few die hard gamers who are gluttons for punishment. Than on the other side of the street you have all too easy games like Devil May Cry 2. But thankfully JE falls square in the middle.

All-in-all Jade Empire is a beautiful looking game for the XBox and definitely worth the purchase (although you could probably rent it over the weekend given that it only takes the average gamer 15-20 hours to finish)Read full review...

Awesome Martial Arts Style RPG

Very good game, although I'm not much of an rpg fan. The game has great graphics depending on which tv you play it on. Combat is repetitive, during the game you get to upgrade different fighting styles and weapons. There are many places to explore which increases the replay value.Jade Empire is very easy compared to other rpgs such as Fable, Elder Scrolls Morrowind, etc. Voice acting is nice. Not Perfect, but well done. I bought this game because Bioware is known for making excellent rpgs such as KOTOR.
Summary

Graphics: 4/5
Gameplay: 4/5
Sound/Voice: 4/5
Replay Value: 5/5
Hours Spent: 100+Read full review...

Great RPG…can be lengther

I've heard really good words about Jade Empire and couldn't wait to play. The idea of martial arts combat in an RPG is something I've never played before as most RPGs are fantasy-based. The visuals are wonderful and the character voice-overs aren't cheesy or overly-stereotypical. I love the creativity of personal character development to choose being 'open-palm' or 'closed-fist' as opposed to being just good or evil since not everything is black or white. However some choices will reward you more money than others (that is, if that's your goal or if your character needs the cash to buy an expensive, but awesome upgrades or clothing).

But compared to other BioWare RPGs, this was surprisingly short! The main quest line went faster than I anticipated so I went off to explore as much as I can and do side quests to stretch the game out as much as I can.

Bottom line: Jade Empire is an enjoyable RPG experience as with other BioWare RPGs but has its weaknesses. Fortunately, the strengths outweigh it's short-comings (the big one I noticed is how short it was) and I recommend it even for RPG fanatics like me.Read full review...

Classic RP

Jade Empire is a classic RP game set during an ancient Chinese Imperial period with lots of historical places and an interesting story line.

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: jjgames

The necessary addition to the Xbox Bioware trio

Honestly its a great game, just like KOTOR I & II. Lots of fun, though not as great of plot. Since I have no issues with the price.

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: dillojone-3

One of my favorite games. See how you can change the storyline.

In Jade Empire, your character can be an open palm hero (help & defend the weak) or a closed fist hero (believe that only the strong desire to live). Your choice whether to be O.P./C.F. affects events in the game, how chacters interact with you, and the outcome of the game. You also can choice to what degree you're an open palm hero/closed fist hero. As O.P. you can do good deeds out of the goodness of your heart or only for a reward. As C.F. you can merely not help others or you can completely screw them over. Your choice. Also, there are romance options at the end of the game. As a female character you can have a romance with a male/female follower. As a male character you can pick between two female followers, have a threesome with both or choice a male follower. Note: for gay/lesbian options to be avaible at the end of the game you have to avoid flirting with follwers of the opposite sex early in the game. Plot: You are the star fighter at your school in a small village. You go on a quest to rescue your kidnapped mentor after your home has been destoryed & left in ruin. You gain followers along the way on your quest that leads to the palace but all isn't what it seems. Your character levels up in battles and the decisions you make. This is a game you can play multiple times to change the storyline.Read full review...

If you like Knights of the Old Republic or Mass Effect, this is for you.

BioWare is known for their epic storytelling in games - going all the way back to Baldur's gate - a DnD based role playing game, and all the way up to today's Mass Effect. A quiet title by the name of Jade Empire snuck out as an Xbox exclusive.

After playing through Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2, I decided I would check out that BioWare title that had slipped past me those years ago, and I must say, it was well worth getting. The characters are as lovable and real as you'd expect from a BioWare game, and the world that's been crafted around these characters is engaging and exotic. The real-time battle system is great, as it follows similar DnD-like rules in the vein of SW:KotoR, but allows real-time movement and attacks, providing an even more immersive and fun playing environment.

While this game would be considered old by some people's standards, it has definitely aged well - it still looks very vibrant and impressive, and plays beautifully on the Xbox 360 as well (it is forward compatible with the 360.)

Compared to other titles in the same genre - Champions of Norrath, the aforementioned Knights of the Old Republic and Baldur's gate games, it's definitely right up there with the best. Great characters, great environments, an engaging and interesting storyline, all make for a great semi-modern (2005 isn't THAT old) action-RPG, that makes a great addition to anyone's collection.

My only complaint (if I could even call it that) is that sometimes the loading times can get a bit lengthy, but considering the scale of this game and how ambitious of a game it is, it's something I can easily overlook as the game as a whole is superb.Read full review...

A unique Xbox RPG experience

If you like rpg’s then you’ll like this game. If you like old kung fu type of movies then you’ll like this game. Now, if you’re like me and happen to like both, then you’ll LOVE THIS GAME!

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: bestbuyitnow

Jade Empire shows how hack-n-slash games should be!!

This was an excellent game all around but the strongest points were its fighting system and level up system. The fighting system was the best I have ever seen. You can choose from many different fighting styles and weapons and you can upgrade each to your liking. Also, when you leveled up you could choose between three things; Mind, Body, Spirit. All of these have uses. An added bonus was that you could choose wether to be "open palmed" or "closed fisted". For example you could choose to either help someone and earn their gold or just simply kill them and take their gold. Another thing was the flyer mini games. They were really fun. It was like a classic fighter jet arcade game, where, you can get upgrades and the enemys flying at you get harder and harder, except that it was part of the mission. The only thing I did not like about it was fighting the ghosts. You can't use weapons (which is what i upgraded most) and some spirits have an unblockable, undodgable attack. It is really a pain. Other than that, which added a little challenge, it was perfect.Read full review...

Excellent purchase because of variability.

It's very good because it offers me a chance to play retro video games.

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: mirvofin