I am just about 10 hours in now, and I still have a few side quests for chapter 2 left before I do the main quest.

I also listen to everything everyone has to say, and don't skip anything. The more I play, the more I say wow.

That isn't true. The combat takes skill. You have to be able to dodge and attack at just the right moment (I have it on Master, which is Normal) or else you will die.

The experience is fine. I am level 9, 10 hours into the game. That is pretty powerful, despite the fact that it sounds wimpy.

Money is located at just the right places, and not too little, not too much.

I also have about 8-9 hours logged in the game and am only in chapter 2 (i believe - i'm still at Tien's Landing). I have had to reload several times because of getting crushed in a fight due to buttonmashing instead of planning out my moves. I don't see how anyone can characterize this game as a buttonmasher at all because the game really punishes that. Those spirit creatures in the forest were crushing me until i gained a couple more levels (i believe i'm lvl 6 or 7 now).

The story is also incredible, in the ruins of the village i was getting really creeped out... especially in the orphanage. Either way, the game is dreamy in my opinion, wonderfully fluid fighting - although the magic seems a little underpowered so far.

I'm enjoying my time so far with the game, but still have some frustrations like I did with Kotor (and Fable, although that wasn't Bioware).

The frustrations I'm having are that this is a beautiful world and I am limited to "paths." The same thing occured in Fable and Kotor. Sadly, I think this is more of a limitation on games right now, then mediocre development. I'm just used to Bioware's other offerings that were more open and had so much to explore, but those also weren't full blown 3D games with gorgeous worlds. I must admit, this makes me wish Bioware had a Jade Empire and Kotor in the style of Neverwinter Nights more than what they went with, but I do still enjoy the games, so all is well. I'll just need to keep an eye out for Dragon Age.

I'm still early in the game though, so maybe it will open up much more than I think it will.

Storyline so far is interesting, with good characters. I think leveling is very strategic so far, as there are many ways to spend style points. A person can try to use multiple styles and balance those, or power up in just a couple. I'm having a hard time deciding what to upgrade and I'm only level 5.

I've enjoyed the combat and definately received heavy punishment when not paying attention to what I was doing and just pushing A. I can't wait to discover more styles and abilities.

Personally i'm just biding my time and saving some style points for drunken boxing.... it will be glorious.

I haven't even looked to see what may be available for the future, so I am taking it as I go. I am sure after my first pass through, my second one will involve some point saving. :)

My buddy bought this today and is really having fun with it. I asked him to bring it over the next time he visits because I'm curious about the game. The demo on the OXM disc was boring as hell and not all that impressive and really hurt my impression of the game. I want him to change my mind.

After playing it for 3 or 4 hours, I'm not sure what to think. I like the game, that's for sure, although to be honest I think that KOTOR is a much better game overall. Jade Empire is a lot more like Fable (with a story) than KOTOR.

Overall, I'd give it around an 8.5 so far. It's a fun game, but nothing really mind blowing or original about it. It's definitely geared towards the more casual gamer rather than the hardcore.

Taylor34

The only thing i know is that there is a follower who will allow you to do some drunken fighting style when they are in support mode. Checking to see if there was a drunken style was one of the things i kept up on, so now that i know there is i am going to be all over it.

One curiousity though, if you put points in the thing that lengthens effects for spirit thief, what does it really do? Stun them longer with a power attack?

I just started chapter 2 at 3 hours. I like this better than KOTOR, mainly because I find the combat more fun.

I'm a casual gamer who picked this up just based on reviews from IGN and TXB. The way I see it, if a game gets a 9.9, I should at least try it out and not ignore a great game. I've played for probably 7 hours so far, and I love the game. I love the storyline, the combat, and the characters. This is the first RPG I've played in years and from playing this one, I'd say I need to give this genre another look. What are some other good RPG's for XBOX? I've got some trade credit at EBGames and need to pick some other ones up.

Anyone else having trouble finding this game? Best Buy and Circuit City didn't have it in stock. Maybe I should have gone to Fry's...

I just passed the 12 hour mark, and I'm still in chapter 2.

It should be in stock for both places by now. Try Gamestop or EB.

If you've never played Fable, get that. KOTOR (also made by Bioware, the company that makes Jade Empire) and KOTOR II are great as well, but only if you're a Star Wars fan.

There is a drunken master style of fighting. You meet the guy somewhere in chapter 2.

I got it at Fry's for $36.99 for the limited edition. Fuck EB and Gamestop.

That's an awesome deal, again I wish Fry's was near me.

I am god-awful at this game so I'd imagine it'll take me about 100 hours of play. I did have to change the difficulty setting to easy since I don't seem to be learning the fighting moves yet (still in the button mashing phase). Anyway, game is still great so far.

Easy is just way too...well easy. When I was button mashing, I turned it to easy to pass a boss fight early in the game. I went from being dominated to dominating. So I said, screw it, and changed back to Master, and learned to fight better :D

Makes it more fun and challenging.

Grandmaster is the only way to go.

I'm surprised there isn't one near you since you live in Southern California.

Well an hour away.

Master is working out just fine for me.

I'm 17 hours in, and just finished my first side quest in chapter 3. Still can't believe that asianxcore finished in 12 hours. It's like he only followed the main plot, and skipped all cutscenes and dialogue.