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Official Jade Empire Thread

I started the game and I'm surprised with how good it looks. The screens don't do justice to the game.

So far it's rocking hard. The environment and world feels real and authentic. I am surprised as the theme didn't precisely appeal to me, but I'm really liking what I've played so far.
 
Played about an hour. Haven't done anything but talk and spar a bit. There's already a shit load of dialog. Graphics are gorgeous.
 
Usually I don't complain about aesthetics like boxart but good god the Jade Empire boxart sucks:

IMG_0248.jpg
 
Sysgen said:
Picked up two copies (1 for a gift) and was surprised to find that the LE is being sold to non preorders.

Why surprised? It seems that specialty stores only carry the LE anyway. This game is as much of a "Limited Edition" as Mechassault 2 was. :)
 
Mrbob said:
Usually I don't complain about aesthetics like boxart but good god the Jade Empire boxart sucks:

IMG_0248.jpg

That picture is deceiving. The box art is 3D (which you can't tell in that picture) which is cool in my book.
 
I've been playing it since around 7 tonight. I really like it so far, I never played the demo. The story is pretty interesting so far, I just got to
the part where the original village is destroyed.
The graphics are very good on my crappy tv without s video. The control and the fighting are pretty well done, although it does have a taste of Star Fox Adventures in there. For an "easy" game I've died a handful of times, including a couple of times that were unsuspected. The music adds a lot to the mythology of the game. I haven't noticed any real slowdown issues, and it's certainly got a much smoother framerate than KOTOR. The level up system is a little dumbed down from KOTOR, but one might also call it more focused. The weapon and fighting styles are upgraded in a pretty cool way when you level up, so that adds a little variety to the main leveling (mind, body, spirit). So far the fighting system seems to be what you make of it. You could probably beat the game with just basic combos, but you can mix up your combos and fighting styles on the fly and make the combat pretty flashy. You've got projectiles, weapons, and hand styles of combat, and certain enemies are immune to certain types. Different attacks work better on different enemies, and also different fighting styles can aid you during a fight (like healing yourself). Time will tell how far you have to delve into the system to beat the game, but the depth is there. The game is pretty linear so far, and seems like it will stay that way. That's cool though, as the story has been focused and interesting.
 
DJ_Tet said:
For an "easy" game I've died a handful of times, including a couple of times that were unsuspected.

tell me about it --- I must've died at least 12 times during the first real encounters! --- is there a 'pause' sort'a function to help with the multitasking??? So early on, and so many options are available for combat --- yet it's as action-packed as some recent beat'm'up titles .... hopefully I get used to the combat pace --- it's really fun thought.

after the reviews, I was under the impression that animations/hits/attacks wouldn't seem to be delt correctly (or visually) -- but things are fairly dynamic when fighting, characters take blows, and it's all fairly fluid --- even more-so for an RPG.

I've been spending most of my time just exploring, talking with villigers, and in in general keeping my fists rather tight : D
 
Glad to read the good impressions regarding the game. Since I'm on the otherside of the country I'm getting it tomorrow, yay shipping. Too bad it'll arrive just before my class starts.

Can't wait to play the game, hopefully it's just as fun to explore than it is to fight.
 
sammy said:
tell me about it --- I must've died at least 12 times during the first real encounters! --- is there a 'pause' sort'a function to help with the multitasking??? So early on, and so many options are available for combat --- yet it's as action-packed as some recent beat'm'up titles .... hopefully I get used to the combat pace --- it's really fun thought.

after the reviews, I was under the impression that animations/hits/attacks wouldn't seem to be delt correctly (or visually) -- but things are fairly dynamic when fighting, characters take blows, and it's all fairly fluid --- even more-so for an RPG.

I've been spending most of my time just exploring, talking with villigers, and in in general keeping my fists rather tight : D



I don't think there is a pause, just make sure you can hit the white button to heal lol. When you get surrounded you can cancel targeting by pressing both triggers to run away, you can leap in different directions pretty fast and far with b, or you can use x+a to perform a sweep manuver to clear the enemies who aren't blocking. It's pretty cool to get jumped by multiple characters, you really have to use some strategy then.
 
Lyte Edge said:
Why surprised? It seems that specialty stores only carry the LE anyway. This game is as much of a "Limited Edition" as Mechassault 2 was. :)

Local Gamespot had both the LE and regular editions of the game, huge stacks of both to sell. Though the boxart sucks regardless, the regular edition looks slightly better. This game really needed the tin treatment.
 
VALIS said:
I assume it's 480p and not 720p or 1080i? Widescreen mode? Not getting mine until tomorrow morning.
480p, no widescreen.
sammy said:
tell me about it --- I must've died at least 12 times during the first real encounters! --- is there a 'pause' sort'a function to help with the multitasking???
Press the back button while in a battle.
 
Gonna pick this game up after work today... didn't realize it came out soon! I'm crossing my fingers that the combat will be improved from the demo (from the sounds of it, it has) and the game will be more RPG like in structure than the little bit I've seen, but the reviews/impressions bode well for that fact. The fact that it *HAS* to be better than Fable justifies the purchase for me. I haven't heard much discussion on the game's music, is it any good? And how's the story/character development? Oh yeah and how limited is the "limited edition"? I still have a big backlog of RPGs to play and was wondering if I could hold out on a purchase, or will I get fucked like I did with most Atlus games?
 
Been reading a ton of impressions across the boards and it looks like my one concern with Jade Empire is true.

Ton of fighting styles to use in the game, but each style is completely shallow in the amount of attacks given at your disposal. I wish Bioware would have given players less styles and more attacks per style to use. I'm still picking the game up tonight, but lowering my enthusiasm before going in.
 
4 hours into it - Impressions:

The Good:
+ Graphics and environments are gorgeous, lush and full of life. Cities are not deserted and are populated by a good number of people.
+ The world is very credible and seems to have been taken from existing mythology. What I mean by this, is that the environment, structures, and art seem to fit together extremely well.
+ Music and Sound are really top notch. The world sounds alive and the music helps the mood of any particular moment.
+ Voice acting is just superb. One of the best voice acting I've seen in games.
+ Battle engine is quite responsive.

The Bad:
- It might be just me, or that I haven't played enough (remember: 4 hours) but the battle engine doesn't lend itself to the true variety of combat that comes from role playing games. It seems you are forced to melee your way through combat, and use magic to support such melee style.
- Small enclosed battle areas make an appearance. I've died a few times due to getting confused when trying to maneuver around enclosed areas and it's very annoying.
- I'm not certain I like the lack of an inventory and different types of armor. I know it was excessive in KotOR, but I do like having the option. This is somewhat made available by the amulet you carry, which contains 3 slots for you to add gems that alter your attributes. This is a very cool addition, but it's a very simplified way that might really do the job of replacing a true inventory system for RPG gamers.

Overall, I'm quite pleased with the game, regardless of my listed negative points. My biggest issue is that the game feels like a brawler with no true magic-heavy pathway for combat. This might have to do with how little I've played the game (only 4 hours.) I guess the fact that I played 4 hours in one day speaks tons about how much I enjoyed it. So far, I fully recommend it.
 
I gotta hand it to Bioware on their community participation.

I've been lurking at the official Jade Empire board and Bioware team members have not been shy in participating in Jade Empire discussions. Talking about both good and bad. You get the sense that they do actually care about all various feedback on the game. Not just the glowing posts.
 
Many have been asking about Jade Empire in the Prize Shop. Our plans are to offer Jade Empire when inventory is made available to the program. Due to the anticipated demand, all stock is going to our valued retail partners first in order to meet customer demand. We don't have an availability date yet so please continue to monitor the Prize Shop for more details.

:(
 
Mrbob said:
I gotta hand it to Bioware on their community participation.

I've been lurking at the official Jade Empire board and Bioware team members have not been shy in participating in Jade Empire discussions. Talking about both good and bad. You get the sense that they do actually care about all various feedback on the game. Not just the glowing posts.

Actually they've been doing that since the Baldur's Gate days. One of the many reasons why I respect Bioware so much....
 
Sysgen said:
What character type are you playing as? Perhaps that has something to do with magic supporting combat?

Yes, it could possibly be that. I just thought characters had some affinities, but were eventually malleable.
 
IJoel said:
Yes, it could possibly be that. I just thought characters had some affinities, but were eventually malleable.

I picked the magic chick. I'll let you know if I find anything different.
 
Played for about an hour or two. Interesting and unique. Definitely helps if you're interested in Eastern philosophies and/or old kung fu movies. Seems like it's going to be very story intensive. Beautiful environments. Just taking a short break before I get back to it. Is there any other way to save other than when the game does it automatically?
 
VALIS said:
Played for about an hour or two. Interesting and unique. Definitely helps if you're interested in Eastern philosophies and/or old kung fu movies. Seems like it's going to be very story intensive. Beautiful environments. Just taking a short break before I get back to it. Is there any other way to save other than when the game does it automatically?

Just press start, and go to the save menu. You can save as many times as you want and from anywhere.
 
Like sammy I died at least more than a few times during the first encounter. I have to say I absolutley love the leveling system. Think Otogi in that you level you weapons / styles which changes the dynamics of the game. Reviews talked about replayability for different characters, I see a huge potential for replayability based on how you level your skills and weapons, though I'm just at the start. As for the 20 hour thing I can't see how it's going to take 20 hours if you like to explore the dialog trees. I am 2 hours in and only just had my 1st big battle. The dialog trees are in the same vein as Kotor and the writing is great. It also needs repeating that the graphics so far are great. The facial modeling reminds me of Shenmue II and in itself is fantastic. I've never seen a game where facial scars come to life. Switching styles during battle reminds me of Mortal Kombat.
 
This game rocks. Looks great, sounds great. Plays great as far as I can tell, though I'll have to play some more to determine that.
 
I may have to head out and get this tonight or tomorrow. Guild Wars isn't out for another two weeks and this is looking so good. From the impressions I'm reading, it's sounding like this is a very story driven action/adventure game with lite RPG elements. True or false?
 
I've played it for about 1½h now and all i can say is that im officially impressed.
It's been a blast so far and as it look it just gonna get better.
Not much of a challenge so far though. The fights are actually really easy , havent died or been close to die a single time so far.

The graphics and areas are just gorgeous. Alot of detail and alot of life.
The battlesystem is really good , altough all fights so far have seemed to be very easy , but what can you expect from the beginning of a game.

Anyway , back to the game.
 
I thought KOTOR was incredibly easy. You only lose if you're ill-equipped for a battle or you fall into a trap, just like in this game.
 
Bristow said:
The game is certainly on the easy side. It took me 15 hours to finish the game and I only died a handful of times.

Woa. 15 hours. Did you do alot of sidequests then? Cause i really hope it lasts longer then 15h for me. My last letdown with a games length was Fable , a game i found really good but i finished it in 13½h and did all sidequests and silver chests and etc.
 
There's no way I could finish this game in 15 hours.

I just defeated
Gao the Lesser near the beginning
and I'm at an hour and a half already.
 
Just picked up my copy. The boxart is even uglier in person, even though the lenticular effect of the dragon/mountains that the LE has makes it slightly better. Going to jump in after a little bit of studying.

Also, length does not make a good game. Take DK: JB for example.
 
Railer said:
I've played it for about 1½h now and all i can say is that im officially impressed.
It's been a blast so far and as it look it just gonna get better.
Not much of a challenge so far though. The fights are actually really easy , havent died or been close to die a single time so far.

The graphics and areas are just gorgeous. Alot of detail and alot of life.
The battlesystem is really good , altough all fights so far have seemed to be very easy , but what can you expect from the beginning of a game.

Anyway , back to the game.


I am enjoying the game. It has been pretty easy so far, obviously there are difficulty levels to make it harder/easier. I have been enjoying the game so far though. I really am enjoying it. I can't wait to get better weapons/magic. I probably will go through the game again, I want to go through it as a total asshole to see how it works out.

The only negative is the load times when going from area to area. That really slows the game down, IMO.
 
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