A great, unique take on an otherwise ho-hum game. I would classify this more as an action game than an RPG, the RPG elements are very few and very, very shallow at best. what I like about the game: - graphic, excellent graphic for its time, a good blend of cartoon-realism, smooth - uniqueness, love the uniqueness of the setting - realistic kung-fu form, I'm pretty impressed how true to form the actions are to the original kung-fu form - plot, not the most original but does its job and gets you involved - characters/NPC; a good cast of NPC that aren't just flat, hood ornament - the mini game is a nice addition what I thought could be improved on: - view; very limited view of what you see - character movement, especially during combat; limited, not very intuitive, hard/frustrating to control at times especially with the automatic camera angles - very limited character customization; character customization is basically just your 3 attributes, gems and fighting techniques ... not something you would want for an RPG type game - too linear and very limited storyline/plot/world. And just like many food Chinese restaurants, very rushed. In summary, Jade Empire offers a unique take on an action RPG, along with its beautiful graphic, fine gameplay is worth the try - a great pickup at under $5 in my opinion. But one can't help wonder what the game would be like if they actually go all out and make the game (and the game world) deeper, I felt they're just scratching the surface with this game. It's like going to an all you can eat buffet boasting over a hundred items but only the bread is available. It's a very good game, but when you realize its potential, can't help but be bummed out as well.
A rare classic that could be enjoyed year after year. I've always enjoyed strategy/building games, this is a fun, little building game with a fun twist; you being on the side of evil/bad. Perhaps not as immersive or expansive as other strategy/building games, but it delivers on what really count: it's fun to play. The game is also challenging enough to hold your interest and make you strategize your move. And definitely one of those game that you could put away for a while and come back to it again and again. It's a fun game well worth a try.
for me, this is a one and done game ... actually, kinda wished I didn't waste my time with it, below average/failing grade in many aspects; The positive: - Music was pretty good, nothing spectacular, but it was OK - thought not too original or unique in its setting. - Graphic was alright/good enough for its time. Again, nothing spectacular, but well done. - Fast travel map system. The negative: - Plot/storyline has potential, but too linear and very restrictive in its deliverance. - Could not hold or draw my interest throughout the game. - NPC are flat, cardboard characters ... might as well use a wall to deliver their messages, it would not have made any difference. - Very frustrating map screen where you don't really know where you are able to go (partly because of the movement system, too). Just not enjoyable moving around ... and you do have to move around in the game. Part of the charm of an RPG game is to be immersed in its game world and this is one of the glaring problem Eschalon failed to deliver. I did not care about the character, NPC, the game world in general, and ultimately the game itself. And to add insult to injury, once you completed the game, it felt like a huge ad for Eschalon 3 ... which I am staying far, faaaar away from.
Well ... there's a reason why this game is free ... and even then, I wouldn't recommend it. I've played those old RPGs (Forgotten Realms series on the PC, SNES JRPG, etc) and I'd go back to those games before playing this one again. Very basic, bare linear story plot. Open world concept is more of an annoyance rather than a wonder to explore. Game mechanic is quite awful, their movement mechanic with the mouse is bad. Frustrating terrain that seems to act as a stalling technique to boast longer playing time. Gameplay ... man, is it ever dull and frustrating at times. The world of Eschelon is basically dead - it has no life, game intuition is very low or non-existent. Selling Eschalon as an old school RPG, I felt, is a huge lie, I doubt very much they know what that term even mean. Just not a good game altogether, time better spent playing something else.
