considering

Macen Press · #1 (**permalink**) 09-04-2005, 07:17 AM

Hi i am wondering wether 2 by this or not but can i ask is it a good game because the only rpg that i have ever bought and liked is kotor.

Faust · #2 (**permalink**) 09-04-2005, 09:15 AM

It might be helpful if you told us what other types of games you do like?

Jade Empire has an engaging story and many elements very much like KoTOR. It's combat system is more action based. So if you like that type of play, you might find it to be an entertaining game.

Jade is a good game, it is a bit short in terms of RPG standards, though. But, it's a solid RPG. So I definitely recommend it to most RPG lovers.

Macen Press · #3 (**permalink**) 09-05-2005, 02:19 AM

Cheers

Faust · #4 (**permalink**) 09-06-2005, 10:35 AM

Well, like I said, it's a very entertaining game. But if you've not enjoyed many other RPGs - you may or may not like it. I'd probably call it a bit faster paced than KoTOR, with a more interactive combat system. All in all, the story elements are very similar, though. The main story is engaging and contains a few twists, you acquire many more party members than you really need or can possibly use, it's a fun and beautiful world, it's not a particularly long game (30 hours probably) and it's a fairly easy game all things considered. You might look at the thread "impressions" on this board. It gives a good summary and critique of the game.

Macen Press · #5 (**permalink**) 09-06-2005, 01:28 PM

Is the combat system turn based or can u fight likepunch them ups.

TonyMontana1638 · #6 (**permalink**) 09-06-2005, 01:53 PM

It's a twitch-based combat system used in other games, essentially a kinf of rock-paper-scissors (at least in concept). Regular attacks beat power-up attacks (you hit the other guy quickly while he's powering up), blocks beat regular attacks (can't hit the other guy with regular attacks while he's blocking), and power attacks beat blocks (they take a quick sec to charge but then they bust through the bad guy's shield). This is how it's supposeed to work, but I ind the best way is to just jump around and repeatedly use the regular attacks. The system is not at all turn-based and is more like a lower-level beat-em-up system. I personally like this more than turn-based so if anything I said abovew has turned you off I'd try it first.

As for the game as a whole it has a very engaging story and a very memorable list of characters that you can interact with, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone because it's not as in depth as Morrowind for the casual gamer but still engrossing enough for RPG freaks and I thoroughly enjoyed it. A party of characters will come under your control but only one follows you around at a time (like Neverwinter Nights), all of whom you can speak and interact with. Romances also exist in the game, like other Bioware titles, and they are fun to carry out but maybe not as in depth as, say, all the crap you have to do for Jaheira or Viconcia in BGII. In terms of total gameplay it's a little on the short side (not as short as Fable but not as engrossing as KOTOR). It is, in my opinion, comparable to KOTOR but maybe not quite as memorable (lack of lightsabers hurt

) but if you liked KOTOTR I bet you'd like Jade Empire.
I'd also recommend KOTOR II or Morrowind GOTY if you like XBox rpgs.

Faust · #7 (**permalink**) 09-06-2005, 02:47 PM

As far as combat goes, you master a series of "styles". You'll either have to pay for styles or discover them through talking to various NPCs, and you'll quickly develop favorites and those you never use. Some are "magic" based (and allow you to transform into beasts), others are purely physical, and others are weapon based. Other, are more support based (you'll bring one companion with you each time you travel. They will act indepedently of you, but you can assign them broad orders.).

It's not turn based at all. It's technically real-time. In combat you'll be jumping, blocking, and attacking - essentially. You've got power-attacks as well. Though the power attacks can break an enemy's block, they are horribly inefficient to use most of the time (as you'll find they drain more of your "chi" energy). As a whole, the combat is not difficult to be good at. Perhaps, complete mastery would take some work, but being good enough to easily handle the challenges ot the game is fairly easy to achieve.

You can pause in combat, but you can't make any tactical decisions while paused. All in all, it's like a hybrid KoTOR and fighting game in terms of gameplay. It's an action RPG style, more akin to what you might experience in a game like Fable. I really expected the fighting system to be more innovative than it turned out to be. However, that's not the reason you play these kinds of game. You play them for the story. And Jade Empire has a good -albeit too short, I thought - story. And the world, as a whole, is quite beautiful and engrossing.

I imagine, as Tony said, if you liked KoTOR you'll probably like this game. However, if you haven't played KoTOR2 yet, I'd probably go that route instead. KoTOR2 isnt' really a better game than Jade Empire. It is, however, something that all KoTOR should enjoy. Jade is slightly less of a sure thing.

Macen Press · #8 (**permalink**) 09-07-2005, 04:38 AM

I probaly will end up getting it and i have played kotor 2 aswell and enjoyed.

Macen Press · #9 (**permalink**) 10-20-2005, 04:37 AM

Hey guys i thought it was a really good game however it is not long enough for me but cant wait for number2 to be released

mitsuharu · #10 (**permalink**) 10-24-2005, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Macen Press

Hey guys i thought it was a really good game however it is not long enough for me but cant wait for number2 to be released

wait... Jade empire 2?

Oooh! When? Me need buy!!! Er... I mean... I think I might perchase that upon its arrival...