Jade Empire: Special Edition

I am also one of those who quickly gave up on the game. I am also one of those who are annoyed by the many long dialogs in the game. I also don't get on with the controls in the battles. I keep failing in battles because a lot of things don't work correctly. The graphics of this game are often praised. And rightly so! And that for a game that you can play with 20-year-old hardware. What can we learn from this? Nothing, as always.

Once upon a time, it was a game studio who wrote enchanting stories combined to rich gameplay. jade Empire is the last title who can truly claim to be part of this glorious era : a new rich and enthousiastic universe, very good RP part for an action/RPG, a great group of NPC who came with your PC, etc... Of course, there a few things who aren't perfect (no real avatar custom, for example), but you will forgive and forget those things very quickly; because this is really an odyssey that you enjoy every minute.

This game marks the tipping point for Bioware. While development was is full swing the story was rewritten at least once as far as I can remember. Combat systems were reworked countless times and promises like henchmen you can send on missions and a personal fortress went unfulfilled. As for the theme. The game pays lip service to kung fu movies of old. Basic motivations or themes like honour, pride or family play no role in the main storyline instead it's the blueprint for every Bioware game after this one. Buy it for $5 or just don't.

I remember playing this on the Original Xbox system, and it was one of the finest Bioware games to come out in the heydays of SW:KOTOR. The Asian Fantasy setting is great, the Oriental Folklore BGM fits, and the combat definitely brings that classic Kung Fu movie vibe. A strong Bioware game added on GoG.

I played this game when it first came out, and I really loved it. I was surprised it didn't get the love it deserved, since it was just as good as Knights of the Old Republic that came out at the same time. I'm a huge Bioware fan, and this game did not disappoint. I highly recommend it to anyone who hasn't tried it yet.