Jade Empire : Reviews and Impressions
 

Is anyone getting this? It comes out next week. I wasn't sure how it would actually come out, but the IGN review makes it clear that the game is a real winner.

Closing Comments
I could write considerably more on what makes Jade Empire a great game. It is an early leader for RPG of the year, if not overall game of the year. And it ranks among the best Xbox games on the market. This isn't just a great RPG, it is also a brilliant action game that casual gamers can pick up and enjoy.

The real joy of Jade Empire comes from the hundreds of details that couldn't possibly be covered in a review: how a character centers himself after battle, humorous references to pop culture, and the spot-on re-creation of the many fighting styles. The only way to grasp how much effort has been put into this game is to experience it yourself, so stop reading and go pick up the game, an empire awaits.

Rating Description
out of 10 click here for ratings guide
10 Presentation
A completely original universe, hard hitting combat, accessible controls, and the story in an RPG on Xbox.
9.5 Graphics
The level of activity during a battle is astounding. Environments are beautiful and the characters are real enough to fall in love with. Slight camera issues prevent it from being a perfect score.
10 Sound
The music is perfectly suited to the subject matter and the voices are expertly acted. A special appearance by John Cleese solidifies the 10.
10 Gameplay
One of the greatest action RPG's of all-time. Combat is easy to learn but immeasurably deep.
10 Lasting Appeal
A single game lasts at least 22 hours, and you will definitely play through more than once. The mini-games will make the hours fly by.
9.9 OVERALL
(out of 10 / not an average)


It'll be on sale for $36.99 at Fry's. It's awful tempting, but after picking up GT4, Splinter Cell : Chaos Theory and God of War in the past month, I'm getting a little behind in my gaming (and a little broke). Why can't they space out these top-ranked games a little better?

Anyway, is anyone else excited about this one?

Wow, that's an impressive review.

I'm still skeptical as I don't tend to like American style RPGs. I loved KOTOR, but really just b/c of the Star Wars story and atmosphere. The gameplay was just ok IMO.

I'll have to pass for now regardless as I'm low and time and funds now and have a back log of games at the moment. But after that review I may have to at least rent this at some point.

already preordered this.

I have been following this games development for over a year now and it was my top pick for last December before it was pushed back to now. I've been looking forward to it more than Halo 2 or any other single game on the Xbox. So, suffice it to say i am excited and will play the hell out of it when it comes out. Also note that they are doing a special limited edition that is the same price as the regular game (49.99) and the limited edition will have an extra character and an extra fighting style.

Preordered at Gamerush, can't wait! The demo really won me over.

Where was the demo? OXM?

I will definitely pick it up sometime down the road. I am a little behind on some of my games, so I will probably finish some of them up before getting Jade Empire :)

I didn't love Kotor, so I'm probably gonna wait for this one to hit $20. If it is more action-oriented and real-time rather than turn-based, I may pick it up sooner.

Is this game going to ever come out for the PC like KOTOR? If so I'll probably pick it up then since I seem to be on my PC more than on my Xbox lately.

No doubt I'm getting this one. Played the OXM demo and loved the game play.

IMO Bioware and Square-Enix are the top two RPG makers in the world. But Square-Enix has gotten to a point, over the last few years, that I won't buy their game w/o reading reviews first, except Final Fantasy. Bioware has yet to make a game that sucks so I trust that my $50 will be well spent.

Well, I already Pre-order my copy at GR for $30 after Trade-in 2 games & get any Pre-order for $30. Also, if you pre-order the game early you'll receive Limited Edition version w/ extra character :)

I'll be interested to see what gamespot have to say, but it was probably a done deal that I was getting this anyway.

Bioware are building up an impressive track record on pc and consoles.

I've loved every Bioware RPG so far, so was interested in this from the get go. The setting, style, etc. have won me over and I will be picking this one up when it hits shelves.

i wasnt really looking forward to this game but now I WANT IT

If this game continues to get scores like that, buying it is a no-brainer.

I didn't want anymore new games right now, but this is tempting.

Neverwinter Nights, KOTOR, and now Jade Empire? Bioware really needs to learn to make a game, eh?

I thought the demo was a little slow paced, but I said I'd wait for more reviews before I bought it.

This review sealed the deal :D

I really had no intention of buying this game, but the review and the new gameplay footage that I've seen have me changing my tune.

Now I can guarentee you that I'll be skipping out of work early on Friday to pick this up. I'll let my WOW character build up a healthy rest state over the weekend while I tool around with this game.

I can't believe this is only $36 at Fry's... what a deal! I'm all over it... loved the Kotors, and the demo for this on OXM was a blast. Possibly the best-looking Xbox game I've played, and the combat style is very unique... and much faster than Kotor.

Baldur's Gate too. :D

Anyone know how bad hte load times will be?

Circuit City have Jade Empire guide on sale this week for $7.49 (MSRP $16.99) ;)

wow....that review was impressive....I think OXM only gave in like a 9.2. I loved KOTOR, but I hadn't planned on getting this until much later -- but I may pick this up on release day.


wlj

Actually I think it was "only" a 9.4

I've had this pre-ordered since February and I can't wait!!

That's right, I forgot they had a hand in that. Was it BG or BG 2?

I pre-ordered this from EB. They told me it's guaranteed to be in stock on Tuesday at 11am. Best Buy, Circuit City and Gamestop all said Wednesday or Thursday.

BioWare did both Baldur's Gate games for the PC. I don't think they had much to do with the Dark Alliance console versions.

Is this turn based combat like KOTOR? Or can you actually move during battle?

To my understanding it's "real-time" much like Ninja Gaiden. As a matter of speaking, this game reminds me of Ninja Gaiden but with more RPG elements.

As of today, the game is still on a roll...

Gamespy 5 out of 5 100.0%
IGN 9.9 out of 10 99.0%
Official Xbox Magazine 9.4 out of 10 94.0%
Console Gold 98 out of 100 98.0%

These stats taken from Gamerankings.com.

You can move during battle. KOTOR wasn't turn based, you can move in that as well.

KOTOR gave you the freedom to move around during combat, but it is still very much turn based.

The combat in Jade Empire (from the demo and what I've read and seen) closely resembles an action game, think Prince of Persia, God of War, Ninja Gaiden, Devil May Cry, etc.

Hmmm..anyone think the Limited Edition Version is worth getting for an extra $4 bucks?
Its $34.88 shipped for the regular version and $38.88 for the LE at outpost.com. I think you get an extra playable character with the LE and some making up documentaries.

I know the regular and limited editions are both $49 everywhere else, so why wouldn't they be the same price ($34.88) there?

Good. That was the deal breaker if I buy this game or not. I hate not being able to run around beating the crap out of people. ;)

Got my Phantom Dust rebate from gamestop so it went straight towards this, haven't even been looking at screen shots for this one, going in fresh.

[sidetrack]
Phantom Dust rebate? Also, does this mean you will be playing PD? I'm on the prowl for others who are addicted to this game as well. [/sidetrack]

Gamespot gave it an 8.4. The reviewer is generally harsh on most games, though. His highest ratings are for Halo 2 and World of Warcraft I believe. He gave several really good games lower then 9's.

IGN is a bit too nice but Gamespot does seem to be harsh for the sake of being harsh....

wow there is a big difference between 8.4 and 9.9. I will hold off until I read reviews from board members. I don't know if the setting of the game appeals to me.


wlj