An RPG that is Finally not just "More of the same" and perhaps the most original concept since KOTOR.
User Rating: 9.6 | Jade Empire: Hisui no Teikoku XBOX
I have been an RPG Fanatic since The first Dragon Warrior and for the most part have continued to play through the evolution of the genre regardless of concept or console. Jade Empire caught my eye originally because it was Bioware, and as much as I hate Star Wars Bioware made it enjoyable as well as giving me something unique from the RPG Genre. I have nothing against your typical "Young boy must save for from evil Wizard or King or Whatever happens to be evil in your standard Japanese RPG stortyline" or "Save princess from whoever, then save world from Evil Wizard, KIng, General, Etc" I play them I enjoy them but for the most part I play games for the storlyline and more often then not the character is not "Your character" he or she will play out as the story set it out to be and whatever actions you may chose normally have minimal effect on the story if any. RPG in essence are a story told through actions, and Jade Empire does in a wonder way, but also allows you to truly take your own path and customize your characters your way. I am not going to try and sell you that line that there are a series of different characters you can use so it has such a large replay, because in essence the storyline will be similar from the looks of it, and no one really wants to play the same game more then twice. Jade Empire allows you to have something alot of RPG's simply have not afforded you and that is freedom, you for the first time really have a wide range over your character and your actions very much effect the outcome of most situations, early one I had play though an area, died and played it through again using a slightly different dialoge pattern and the end results was very different. From a Gameplay standpoint, I am pleased that Bioware did not re-invent the wheel but did give the gamer something new feeling that was very easy to pick up on. My complaint was that battle at times can be somewhat simple, some base enemies are quite easy to take out, but no more so then some of the enemies in KOTOR, although early on and along the main quest I found the AI for some of the "Boss" Battles was a touch foolish but not foolish enough that I did not die a few times. I wouldn't go as far as to say battle is simple rather its seems to have been opened up for your average gamer who does not have a wealth of RPG experience rather then the seasoned vet of the Genre, very simliar to what was done for Final Fantasy VII. The one aspect I really enjoyed as someone who has really played RPG's for a long time was that some enemies are uneffected by certain weapons and that you have a good variety of attacks within each of the four main attack realms, Hand to Hand is cool,l your typical Kung Fu stuff, Weapons is just what it is Weapons combat, Magic is again just magical attacks (some of which look REALLY awesome) and my personal favorite Transformations, you can pretty well become any monster you defeat, its a really really cool function that I am still impressed by everytime it happens. Also the cast of chracters that will join your party along the way is just wondeful, all diverse and unique characters with interesting and relivent backstories. The Storyline is first rate, and the best part is its in a very unique enviroment so alot of what happens is new, the whole Chinese Kung Fu aspect really does aide the whole element of making this game unlike anyother and the fresh storyline really keeps you on the edge of your seat, much like KOTOR 2, your choices will radically effect the outcome. It has your typical Light Side Dark Side except its the way of the open palm" and "the way of the closed fist" and from replaying a few scenes I can tell you that you could easily play this game twice and it would be a very different game. There have been some estimates of 20hrs worth of gameplay and some upward of 45hrs. I question both figures, as is the case with most RPG's you can run through them as fast as you can and be done fast, but also there are some games where completing every side quest is boring and drawn out, and Jade Empire is no different. There are some side quests that advance the storyline that are optional but important and then there are some that are somewhat stupid that simply kill time, on the pace I am on according to the guide I should be done this game using "the way of the closed fist" completing what truly matters to get the gaming experience in just around the 30 hour mark, still shorter then KOTOR 2, but this is one of the titles I may actually play through a second time using open palm. Graphically to say that I am impressed is an understatement, the characters are simply beautiful, the enviroments are not as impressive as Resident Evil 4 or Doom 3 but for an RPG alot of detail and interaction with the eniroment has been incorporated with this game and that really does aid the gaming experience. There are such a wealth of unique characters you will meet going from place to place its is somewhat of a wonder at how Bioware took the time to make every character so different, each corner of the game has its own unique look and I can't even begin to decribe who awesome that is in game. The characters who join your party look great in combat, the magical effects are amazing the transformation looks cool, the various weapons and clothing look truly unique, I challange any gamer to find me two weapons that look similar in the game, Bioware truly out did themselves this time around. The limitless amount of ways you can upgrade your fighting style is much like KOTOR and KOTOR 2, but as numerous as a game like Gladius it really left me debating what I wanted to learn after a level up. Each one of these new abilities also look great. The towns and various areas you will travel to all have that typical Bioware Awe attached to them, where at some points I simply found myself wandering around just looking at every small detail they had the good sence to add to the building or some shadow effect or the small crack on a post, just really really well done. Don't take my word for it, just take a look at the Imperial City, breathtaking. Once again in typical Bioware fashion the voice acting is flawless. EVery voice actually fits the character, it comes off as believable and is acted out like a first rate movie more so then a video game. Within combat the battle effects are better then the battle sounds although they are very good, I just found that the Surround sound 5.1 was not utilized as well as it could have been used. The Score is great, and it fits the game its very traditional, and there is alot of change from area to area which prevents it from becoming stale. Value as always I gauge in two ways, Value: How good was the game did it make me keep playing was I hooked, Did it force me not to put the controller down, and Replay Value: Ok I am done, do I want to toss it on the shelf never to be seen again or do I actually want to pick it up and play again? From a Value Stance, the story is first rate, it made me keep playing and Iat somepoints I simply could not stop myself its an actionpacked very detailed story that is keeping me interested in the characters, all of them something alot of other RPG's have not provided me in the least. Replay: I hate playing games again, but from the few areas that I did replay I don't really think I would be playing it again rather I would be playing a similar game with a radically new storyline, I think its good for two plays,(CLosed Fist and OPen Palm) and if you are a gamer that will run through this game as fast as you can thats good for 40hrs, if you are like me and you want to take your time its good for 60hrs, and you may want to play it through a third time, but honestly I can't see a reason to, but after that much time I won't complain. Overall, what more is there to say? I have written many reviews and I don't normally fawn about games, I have been fair and my opinions have been based on my gaming experience, and for the first time I was very tempted to perfect this game, although some aspects kept me from that leap, One thing most reviewers can agree with is that its a very solid game and something most gamers will not be let down after purchasing this Jem. Reviews across the web and print media have hailed this the best RPG of this Generation, and I can't really disagree with that. If you are a traditionalist and enjoy your typical Japanese style RPG I think you may get a kick out of it, but most gamers regardless of how seasoned they may be with RPG's will really enjoy this title. It has done for the Genre what Final Fantasy Seven did years ago, it created a game that can appeal to all gamers. I think most gamers who have started this game will be hardpressed to stop playing -Z 
