I guess we need a Jade Empire thread right?

[The Prince of Darkness]

Let's start one right here. Truth be told I only played Jade for 45 minutes last night because I was really zonked. I came away impressed with the combat and the graphics which seems like par for the course. I also think that it is going to be a really funny game too. As far as the initial bad go I can just tell that it will be really linear, and what is up with the fact that you cannot break anything in exploration mode. For such a beautiful game it is hard to believe that there are next to no interactive items in the world. I don't really have a big problem with any of that as long as the game is action-packed from start to finish. Yes folks this is definately another one of those action games with RPG elements and not vice versa.

The other reason that I only played Jade for 45 minutes was that I got hooked on that Forza demo for an hour. Man I was LOVING Forza. The game is nowhere near as pretty as Gran Turismo(in fact was it me or do the cars look really cartoony, detailed, but cartoony), but the control is flat-out awesome and the damage is really well done. Someone in system wars mentioned that the game was takimg a turn for the arcadey feel. I just don't see that at all from my time with the demo. I tried out like 5 of the cars and the physics were like night and day with the different cars. I hope that it does not get pushed back again. I want that game really bad now.

[ThaMaskedGamer]

This is the precise reason why I skipped out on Fable. I'm not too thrilled with the fact that Bioware and Black Isle seem to be watering down their RPGs for the consoles, but I guess its to be expected, they feel like they must in order to be successful on consoles. But, I don't like it. I'll still give JE a shot, eventually, even though I can't create my own character, or create a party of 6 people, and do all the AD&D pause based combat that signified Bioware rpgs. But this will definitely be the last "action" rpg I buy that is not online. This is where this genre needs to go, and this is why we need XBOX2. People keep asking why do we need to start the next gen? I'm ready to start.

Hey about the Forza demo, is it the very same demo that came out around XMAS or is it updated? As far as people feeling this game will be arcadey they have no clue, as usual, what they are talking about. I should post some of the stuff from that Popular Science article.

[Fivespot]

The Forza demo is the same as the one released on the OXM disc previously. I too are really enjoying the demo and can't wait for its release.

We need a more realistic driving game on the XBOX (no offense to TOCA fans).

Anyone play Midnight Club 3 yet? I wonder if that will be any good. I see IGN rated it high but thats no surprise (they rate everything high IMO).

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

So far, I'm loving Jade. I'm about 2 hrs in, and I did end up dying once trying to take on too many people at the same time. Besides the somewhat goofy-looking jogging animation of my character, I don't have any problems with the game so far.

About Forza- Since it appears to be the older demo, I have a feeling the full version will look a lot more detailed and polished. I still haven't finished the first race (is there more), but if everything else comes together for the game like the career mode, I'm almost certain I will enjoy this title. I haven't tried out the Conker demo yet.


This is where this genre needs to go, and this is why we need XBOX2.

I prefer to keep some genres offline, unless it really (I mean really) makes sense to add some online portion. I don't see where a game like Jade would benefit from being online, unless it was made as a MMORPG.

Anyone play Midnight Club 3 yet? I wonder if that will be any good. I see IGN rated it high but thats no surprise (they rate everything high IMO).

I haven't tried MC3 yet, but I think it's more of an arcade racer than sim. I'm probably going to avoid this title, since the last arcady racer I had (Burnout 3) turned out to be pretty disappointing and very overrated, IMO.

[The Prince of Darkness]

As far as people feeling this game will be arcadey they have no clue, as usual, what they are talking about. I should post some of the stuff from that Popular Science article.

Yeah it really took some getting used to MG since I have been playing alot of Ridge Racer for my PsP. I thought that the braking was incredibly realistic, and the other thing that impressed me was the following. If I have to work at it a bit more to make my car spin out or fishtail, especially at lower speeds, then I know the game will be more realistic.

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

I'm about 14 hours into the game, so here's my updated impressions:

Good- Fighting in real time is a blast. There's not too much to the martial arts and the weapons fighting, since they have the same combos when using a regular attack. Switching up is helpful, but when your character gets stronger, it's not a problem to clear a room by using just one fighting style. There's almost no babysitting a follower who is helping in battle. When your character regains health, so does the follower.

Bad- The game is a lot linear than Bioware's previous work, though I was able to choose one of two sections to complete first. I don't like how the weapons are dependant on a meter (focus). I would have liked it better if the weapons were worn out and had to be repaired to be effective than to rely on a meter to use them, but when your character gets stronger it's not too much of a problem. There's limited exploration, though you will run up on some things once in a while by exploring.

Funny- Seeing your character change expressions when highlighting an answer when in conversation is pretty funny.

[Glockstar]

Man, this is weird... this is one the biggest titles of the year - for any and all of the consoles, not just the Xbox - and none of us here are getting into it?!

Is that right? Or are some of you so enthralled with the game that you've got no time to post?

Unfortunately, I'm in the former group. I just don't have enough time to commit to it right now. I'll be picking up Psychonauts after work today, and... well, I'm sorry but I'm really looking forward to playing that one.

So the only thing I know about JE at this point is from what I've experienced thru the OXM demo. And that I don't like the cover art on my Ltd.Ed. copy as much as I do the Regular edition.

[The Prince of Darkness]

Man, this is weird... this is one the biggest titles of the year - for any and all of the consoles, not just the Xbox - and none of us here are getting into it?!

Is that right? Or are some of you so enthralled with the game that you've got no time to post?

Unfortunately, I'm in the former group. I just don't have enough time to commit to it right now. I'll be picking up Psychonauts after work today, and... well, I'm sorry but I'm really looking forward to playing that one.

So the only thing I know about JE at this point is from what I've experienced thru the OXM demo. And that I don't like the cover art on my Ltd.Ed. copy as much as I do the Regular edition.


I'm in the former group with you Glock. I don't have a lot of time right now, and when I do, I just end up picking up the PsP because it is an easier proposition. I probably should have waited on Jade until I had more time, but you know how that goes. I have really enjoyed the first 90 minutes of the game though.

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

Man, this is weird... this is one the biggest titles of the year - for any and all of the consoles, not just the Xbox - and none of us here are getting into it?!

Is that right? Or are some of you so enthralled with the game that you've got no time to post?

Unfortunately, I'm in the former group. I just don't have enough time to commit to it right now. I'll be picking up Psychonauts after work today, and... well, I'm sorry but I'm really looking forward to playing that one.

So the only thing I know about JE at this point is from what I've experienced thru the OXM demo. And that I don't like the cover art on my Ltd.Ed. copy as much as I do the Regular edition.

I'm with the latter. I'm good 18+ hours in the game with Wu the Lotus Blossom. Unless things end suddenly, I'm sure I'm going to eclipse the 22-25hrs the reviewers claimed the game will take.

If there were more Xbox gamers playing it, I still do not think there would be as many posts about JE as the last few RPGs we have received (KOTOR I & II, Morrowind, even Fable). The game has a bit more straight-forward feel to it than the KOTORs, due to it's a bit more linear. Still, you have the option to pick which side quest(s) you want to solve before jumping back into the main storyline.

Overall, I think Jade Empire is definitely enjoyable, especially for me since I'm becoming a big Western PRG fan. If they do make a JE 2, I would like to see Bioware put in their usual RPG-goodness in the game and not even worry about trying to make it accessible to mainstream gamers. You can't spoon-feed the masses with every genre, and Bioware has a big enough fanbase that they don't have to worry about it as much.

[Darwin]

Man, this is weird... this is one the biggest titles of the year - for any and all of the consoles, not just the Xbox - and none of us here are getting into it?!

That's the problem. The game is probably too damn good. If I get it, I know I'll neglect all other games (like I did with KOTOR 1 and 2 and Morrowind) .... which means I would not have played Close Combat online last night, and I wouldn't be online tonight playing Splinter Cell, and I wouldn't be playing Doom3 ...

Oh yeah, and then I picked up unreal 2 yesterday ......

And then Forza comes in a few weeks.

Jade Empire will wait until I get more time to play it.

[DrunkenThumbmaster]

Well I've just picked up Jade Empire. I didn't get on the day of release but I have it now. And it's the primary game I'm playing.

My impressions so far. Technically Bioware is behind the curb Kotor1 nor Jade seems to use the Xbox power. Technically it's a good deal behind fable, the art style is nice though and the smoke effects are really impressive. At least Jade doesn't slowdown as much you still have the load times and the sudden ones at that. You will think you are in a open field and the game will start to load.

The combat is a strange mix of tactitics and button smashing. Button smashing as far as not really having to use any combos (I'm still early in the game about 3hrs) but you do need basic strategy. You dont want to get surrounded and when you get one on one situations you need to set up you power attacks before the computer retliates (I'm playing on the highest difficulty). I have yet to use or even attempt the harmonic combo's and such. The fighting is fun.

The story so far is good and while the game has 2 paths close fist and open hand you never really are committing wanting acts of evil. It's bascially aggressive and passive it doesn't seem to let you just be all out evil like Kotor or Fable.

Anyway I'm impressed it's not the typical Bioware game so some might be disappointed but it's a fun adventure game with an intriguing story and I'm not big on Videogame stories.
Next up finally play and finish Xmen legends! Who said the Xbox is short on RPG's

[DrunkenThumbmaster]

Jade Empire features hot girl on girl lesbian action. WOOHOO!

Seriously I'm playing with Wu the lotus and right now I'm having her pursue a relationship with another female character I wonder how far I can push this.

I blew the acting minigame I didn't think I would actually have to memorize anything.

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

Jade Empire features hot girl on girl lesbian action. WOOHOO!

Seriously I'm playing with Wu the lotus and right now I'm having her pursue a relationship with another female character I wonder how far I can push this.

I blew the acting minigame I didn't think I would actually have to memorize anything.

H.L.A.!! Where? I have either passed it, or haven't talked to my followers enough. The closest thing I have had was a Courtesian give my character (also Wu the Lotus Blossom) a compliment.

On KOTOR I, my female Jedi ended up having Carth and Juhani in love with her. My Jedi chick in KOTOR II received no action.

I almost blew the acting portion, but I ended up writing down one key word in each verse just in case.

What's your total gameplay time, Drunk? I'm about 25 hours in it, but I'm still in the city.

[DrunkenThumbmaster]

H.L.A.!! Where? I have either passed it, or haven't talked to my followers enough. The closest thing I have had was a Courtesian give my character (also Wu the Lotus Blossom) a compliment.

On KOTOR I, my female Jedi ended up having Carth and Juhani in love with her. My Jedi chick in KOTOR II received no action.

I almost blew the acting portion, but I ended up writing down one key word in each verse just in case.

What's your total gameplay time, Drunk? I'm about 25 hours in it, but I'm still in the city.

The H.L.A is between Silver Fox/Lian and Wu the lotus Blossom if you talk to her enough the dialogue tree opens up for it. It's interesting because they acutally recogize that it would be a lesbian love affair (they don't actually say lesbian).

Right now I think I'm about 16 hrs in I'm at the city (chp 3) I've finishing up the main quest of the lotus temple. I'm following the closed fist path.

What path are you going down. And what fighting styles are you using I'm using primairly Legendary Strike,Dragon Sword and Dire Flame I've also just gained Tiger strike and "something palm" a support style. Have you been able to pull of any Harmonic Combos I haven't landed one yet.

[Cuddly Knife]

I'm about 8 hours in, on chapter 3. I just finished romping everyone's ass at the Arena, dying twice on the section where you fight everyone that you've already fought in the arena. My favorite styles are Legendary Strike, Spirit Thief, and anything else with a blade or staff. I follow the path of Open Palm. Always the path of good.

How many flying mission have you guys unlocked? I've done four, maybe five. The stages are way too short, but maybe they get larger later on?

I have a big problem with these types of games. It's not the game themselves, more of me not having the right mind-set going into them. I treat it more as an action-adventure instead of an action-RPG. That means focusing on the ultimate goal and putting everything else on the backburner. I always forget to have conversations with my followers or most other NPC's because I'm always focused on the end. Side quests only get done when I'm lost, because that's the only time I stumble upon what I might've supposed to be doing, and then, I lose focus of my main mission.

Another problem is that I don't read instruction manuals anymore for some odd reason. I think the last manual I read this generation was Silent Hill 2. I just like diving in. Hell, I could look up the button config in the options menu in almost all games.

So, what's a harmonic combo and how do I do one?

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

I finally started a dialogue with Silver Fox, and I see where the lesbian love is going. Sky is also trying to "get with" Wu, which reminds me of the Carth/Juhani thing my KOTOR character had to deal with.

I'm around 28 hours in the game, and just finished the Lotus Assassin thingy. I haven't taken off yet, since I want to try and get into that Hostel building that's near the play stage. I'm completely on the open palm path, with my character striking a pose if I let the game set for a few seconds.

Styles I'm using: Legendary Strike, Spirit Thief, Mirabelle (gun), Ice Shards, Flawless (staff), Horse Demon, and the twin swords (the style you get from the chick at the Arena). I also have the Jade Golem style that will need leveling up. I figured I would keep a few of the styles I either don't use or don't have (thousand cuts, paralyzing palm) for use the next time I play through the game, so it can feel a bit different my 2nd go round.

I pulled off a Harmonic Combo earlier in the game. I believe it was after the woman taught me the stone something style in Tien's Landing (closed fist characters get the old guy's style). I was only able to do it on some creature or demon, but I'm sure I wasn't able to do it on a human opponent.

As far as doing a Harmonic Combo, I believe you have to use either Ice Shards, Stone Immortal, or one other magic-type of style that eithr freezes or paralyzes the enemy, then switch to a martial arts style and use the power attack. When I did it, it was against a weak enemy, and I believe he exploded into a pile of blood and guts.

I've hit almost every sidequest I can get a hold of. I usually do them right when I get them. The two I have passed were one that deals with the mini-game, and one in Tien's Landing where I had to be on the path of Closing Fist.

[DrunkenThumbmaster]

I'm finished the game I forget but I think it was at about 28 hrs. I missed some sidequest especially in the city. But after that point there isn't much left of side quest.

Like Kotor there is a point near the end which basically allows you to pick which ending you want. I kept that saved and replayed from that point 3 times and saw 3 of the endings I don't know if I'm going to play the who game again. I do kind of want to play through as furious Ming. And Since I played the whole game on the closed palm I somewhat want to see some of the other open palm content. But if I can get 35 dollars on a trade in that's what I'm going to do.

I really loved this game but this game has settled something for me. I'm not ever going to buy a completely single player game again. It's not worth it. The game itself I loved and I even liked the story (and I rarely like videogame stories). But once it's over I'm not the completist type I don't play through games numerous times once I get the experience I move on.

The game wasn't as steep in martial arts as I thought it would be. I want a hardcore Kung fu RPG. Maybe something based on the Shaloin Monks.

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

I'm finished the game I forget but I think it was at about 28 hrs. I missed some sidequest especially in the city. But after that point there isn't much left of side quest.

Like Kotor there is a point near the end which basically allows you to pick which ending you want. I kept that saved and replayed from that point 3 times and saw 3 of the endings I don't know if I'm going to play the who game again. I do kind of want to play through as furious Ming. And Since I played the whole game on the closed palm I somewhat want to see some of the other open palm content. But if I can get 35 dollars on a trade in that's what I'm going to do.

I really loved this game but this game has settled something for me. I'm not ever going to buy a completely single player game again. It's not worth it. The game itself I loved and I even liked the story (and I rarely like videogame stories). But once it's over I'm not the completist type I don't play through games numerous times once I get the experience I move on.

The game wasn't as steep in martial arts as I thought it would be. I want a hardcore Kung fu RPG. Maybe something based on the Shaloin Monks.

If there's a GameRush in your city, you should be able to get $35 for it easily. It's hard to say how much other stores such as Gamestop and EBGames will give for the game, but it should be around $30.

Overall, this game looks like a keeper for me. I can always pull this one out a few months later and hop back in it, but it will not be as long of a game as the one I'm currently playing. If I squeeze 40 hrs out of Jade, I'll be surprised.

Hopefully, Bioware will add a lot more martial arts in Jade 2.

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

Finally finished Jade Empire. It took me around 36 hours with Wu the Lotus Blossom. I went the Way of the Open Palm, and I managed to do all of the sidequests except 2. Overall, it was a good story and great game, but I hope there's more RPG elements in Jade 2.