- Joined
- October 19, 2006
- Messages
- 2,469
About an hour ago I finished Jade Empire (awesome main story btw!). I truly enjoyed the game. Its weird because some months ago I left it unfinished at Tian's landing. For some reason I couldn't put myself into it then and I don't even know why!
Maybe it is because the whole ancient China setting felt so fresh after all these medevil rpg look-alikes. No paladins, no orcs, no elves and no dark medevil architecture! It also puzzles me why so many rpgs fail so misserably in the npc area while Bioware manages to set it right everytime. The dialog in JE is like elixir to my numb ears.
Some of my favourites were Zu (The closed fist path following martial artist with lots of secrets), Black whirlwind (the huge mercenary who doesn't like anyone touching his axes or wine) and the sweet little girl Wild flower (who has a demon side!). Whom I couldn't stand however was Dawn Star. I know she is supposed to be very sensitive girl next-door type, but too much is too much. At first I really tried to make her feel better, but she just kept whining and whining.. I know the whole world is in chaos and we have no parents, but we can't change it by talking about how she feels all the time!
The core aspect of this game is obviously combat. From the first glance it seemed very tactical but once I had bumped my dragon sword style and the ice shard style up, I became unbeatable. Its not even funny you know. Gao the greater took what it was? ten hits from the long sword? But after I raised the difficulty from master to grand master, it was like a whole different game. I found myself soon varying the styles a lot more than before. The "grand master" is the difficulty level which this game is meant to be played. "master" is just too easy and yet it supposed to be medium?
I'm not probably the only one missing item collecting. Amulet stones and skill upgrades are nice, but It just felt weird not having a proper inventory. Although its kind of refreshing for once not to worry about losing something important. Usually I'm too greedy to waste anything too valuable. Spell scrolls syndroma anyone? "not now..I may need them later on during the tough battles"
Maybe one of the main reasons why Bioware games are so fun to play are the side quests. They are always so creative and varied. My favourite one was the debate against "outlander" in the scholars' garden. Even if JE is an action rpg, quests are all very rpgish. Each quest has a nice backround story and usually atleast two different outcomes, sometimes even more.
Locations are all beautifull and full of life, always something intresting to do or see. but in the end Jade Empire is still a rollercoaster ride. I'd have liked to see more chances for pure exploring in larger world... The great forest near tian's landing actually consists of couple of corridoors barricated by trees. Doesn't seem very beliavable. Usually you don't think it much, but occansionally the barriers are just too obvious not to ignore.
Overall Its a much better game than I remembered. If more attention had been put on exploration and larger world (and also a proper inventory) JE could have been a real masterpiece.
Maybe it is because the whole ancient China setting felt so fresh after all these medevil rpg look-alikes. No paladins, no orcs, no elves and no dark medevil architecture! It also puzzles me why so many rpgs fail so misserably in the npc area while Bioware manages to set it right everytime. The dialog in JE is like elixir to my numb ears.
Some of my favourites were Zu (The closed fist path following martial artist with lots of secrets), Black whirlwind (the huge mercenary who doesn't like anyone touching his axes or wine) and the sweet little girl Wild flower (who has a demon side!). Whom I couldn't stand however was Dawn Star. I know she is supposed to be very sensitive girl next-door type, but too much is too much. At first I really tried to make her feel better, but she just kept whining and whining.. I know the whole world is in chaos and we have no parents, but we can't change it by talking about how she feels all the time!
The core aspect of this game is obviously combat. From the first glance it seemed very tactical but once I had bumped my dragon sword style and the ice shard style up, I became unbeatable. Its not even funny you know. Gao the greater took what it was? ten hits from the long sword? But after I raised the difficulty from master to grand master, it was like a whole different game. I found myself soon varying the styles a lot more than before. The "grand master" is the difficulty level which this game is meant to be played. "master" is just too easy and yet it supposed to be medium?
I'm not probably the only one missing item collecting. Amulet stones and skill upgrades are nice, but It just felt weird not having a proper inventory. Although its kind of refreshing for once not to worry about losing something important. Usually I'm too greedy to waste anything too valuable. Spell scrolls syndroma anyone? "not now..I may need them later on during the tough battles"
Maybe one of the main reasons why Bioware games are so fun to play are the side quests. They are always so creative and varied. My favourite one was the debate against "outlander" in the scholars' garden. Even if JE is an action rpg, quests are all very rpgish. Each quest has a nice backround story and usually atleast two different outcomes, sometimes even more.
Locations are all beautifull and full of life, always something intresting to do or see. but in the end Jade Empire is still a rollercoaster ride. I'd have liked to see more chances for pure exploring in larger world... The great forest near tian's landing actually consists of couple of corridoors barricated by trees. Doesn't seem very beliavable. Usually you don't think it much, but occansionally the barriers are just too obvious not to ignore.
Overall Its a much better game than I remembered. If more attention had been put on exploration and larger world (and also a proper inventory) JE could have been a real masterpiece.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Oct 19, 2006
- Messages
- 2,469