Jade Empire Preview

Game Informer Online has put together an informative preview of Jade Empire, BioWare's soon-to-be-released Xbox RPG. Check it out:
Most actions in the game have a cost. You see, nothing in this world is really free. Certain attacks and skills consume both Chi and focus. Chi is the ancient art of channeling your personal energy and funneling into some other use. Magical attacks, such as turning into a horrendous looking toad demon or throwing fireballs from my fingertips are just two examples of combat arts that require Chi usage. Chi can also be used for the special Chi Strike ability. Pressing the Black button initiates Chi Strike, and during the move I can inflict more damage with my attacks. But, my Chi will continuously deplete while using it, so it's more of a temporary fix than a permanent one. Focus is a bit different, by the basic concept is pretty much the same. Weapons, such as swords, are powerful and fast, but the more you use them the more Focus they will consume. Once you've depleted either Chi or Focus, you can no longer utilize a skill that requires its use until you collect special orbs from defeated enemies.. Thankfully leveling up can increase my Chi and Focus reserves, as well as lessen the amount of both needed to use certain skills.