Jade Empire: Special Edition

Jade Empire is a magical journey to the far east, which was unfortunately underappreciated at the time of release. While it isn't a story-heavyweight like the earlier Baldurs Gate and Neverwinter Night stories from Bioware, this game finds a good balance between story and action. Jade Empire has a unique setting (fantasy-asia with a side order of steampunk), interesting companions and really cool martial arts fights. So if you like good RPGs and/or enjoy martial arts movies, get this game and play one yourself.

Jade Empire is one of those games who's reputation is harmed by an overly rabid fanbase. Hardcore bioware loyalist who set expectations far too high. Graphically, the game looked beautiful on the Xbox when it first launched and still looks decent today. The fighting system, while fun, is extremely simplistic, bordering on being shallow. Jade Empires greatest's strengths are it's story and setting, and both suffer for the same reason. The game is entirely too short for the story that Bioware was trying to tell. The last acts of the story are extremely rushed, and while it would be an exaggeration to say Jade was *unfinished* it definitely feels like the final third of the story was simply cut out, removed. That's really the core of all the games issues. It feels like the foundation for something greater that never came to be. The combat system is the outer shell of what could have been developed into something truly engaging. The storyline feels like the first two acts of a four or five act tale. The actual game world lacks any true feeling of expansiveness and exploration. You state in a village, move on to a town and end in a city. From the time you start your adventure, to the moment it ends, it feels more like a stroll to the corner store then an epic journey across an exotic land.

One of the most beatiful settings ever shown in an rpg. The combat is a little monotonous at the end of the day, but overall it is a great game. Interesting story, awesome characters and many exotic places. If you like Kung Fu Movies and/or RPGs then Jade Empire is a must buy! Great to see it on GoG.

Bioware really outdid themselves with this game back in the day, while taking a big chance by not using the typical wRPG elements, instead going for an Eastern theme. And it paid off. The setting is timeless, the environments are beautiful, the characters mostly very memorable and the story compelling. The only thing I found slightly at odds with the polish of the rest of the game, was the combat which is slightly on the easy side and can be repetitive at times. But on the whole, it's an immersive experience that should not be missed, especially if you enjoy wuxia/wulin movies like Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, or The Forbidden Kingdom. I've tried many other recent wuxia/martial arts-themed RPGs and MMOs, and found nothing as beautiful and compelling as this. Also, if you find the combat repetitive, and also for other small game fixes, you might want to check out the "Jade Empire In Style" mod package which adds 20 new combat styles that were cut from the game or previously only available to enemies, as well as new essence gems and lots of other little tweaks.