Jade Empire

An overlooked Xbox Classic makes it's way to PC

I've reviewed several third-person console games that have been ported to PC so far in my tenure at e-AAGH.net, like Fable and San Andreas, and this one falls right in line with what I've learned in the past. Sharper graphics, shorter load times and a workable keyboard/mouse control setup. Jade Empire is allot of fun to play for anyone who appreciates a good beat-em-up with a few moral complications tossed in.

Jade Empire, like any good martial arts tale, starts with your character - one of about six that you pick from the start and can only customize a little - training at a secluded training school. It doesn't take long for you to find out that you're 'special,' and that you have a mysterious destiny to fulfill (of course). Before long, the village is gone, almost everyone is dead, and you're free of any responsibilities and are able to go seek out that mysterious destiny you've heard you had.

I like to describe Jade Empire as Fable meets Final Fantasy VII, with a little Shenmue 2 tossed in. The game plays out allot like an oriental Fable, with you picking your path as either good or evil (or, in this case, following the open palm or closed fist paths. Same thing), and then setting out across a fairly linier story line to the end. I assosiate it with FFVII because you pick up partners along the way who join you in combat, plus you plug materia-like gems into an idol you carry around for attribute bonuses. The Shenmue 2 reference was a stroke of nostalgia I got upon entering the Imperial City.  I felt I was back in Aberdeen all over again.

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