This is Bioware's first independant project. And, for the good and the bad, it shows.
First, what I liked...
The story, which is wonderful, interwoven, and rich with atmosphere and depth. Bioware had exceled in this in the past, and Jade is no exception to this.
The characters! Probably the one area where Bioware games shine above all others. Their characters remain interesting, engaging, sympathetic, relatable. Voice acting helps here, as well as the writers ability to flesh out the characters as the story goes along.
The graphics, which suit the story and add to the immersion.
Now, what I didn't...
The combat. It was kinda dull, one note, and not nearly as inspired as the story. Also, line of sight issues galore pop up at all to critical moments. Since a good portion of the game is spent fighting, it kind of detracts from the momentum of the story.
The flow. While the story is great, how it flows, partially because of combat, and partially because of uneven pacing, there doesn't seem to be the same sense of urgency that Bioware's best games have delivered, that make you wnt to keep moving through the combat and interactions with anticipation of what will happen next. Some portions just feel slow, and some portions just feel repetitive, with similar combat scenerios popping up constantly.
With all that covered, the one thing that really works in this game's favor is that common trait to all Bioware games. It creates a world that is rich with lore, myth, wonder, and sometimes, even true awe. Bioware's greatest strength in gaming, has been creating a world (or sometimes a universe) that seemed genuinely imaginative, inspired, well conceived, and most importantly, without contradiction. They cover all their bases, double check the plot, and make sure that the story and atmosphere work smoothly together to create a universe that never snaps you out of their spell, where little can be second guessed and nothing seems contradicted or left undone.
Their games feel complete. And Jade, while not without it's faults, is a complete game, and provides an experience that is just as fulfilling, if not quite as ambitious, as the best of their games.