Jade Empire: Special Edition

When it comes to RPGs, most people envision orcs, elves, and the usual demons that are about to scorch the land and kill everything with a pulse. However, there are many games that do not take place in the classic fantasy setting, including gems such as Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines and the Mass Effect series. Bioware surprised us many times over the years, and rarely in a bad way.

Jade Empire: Special Edition is a combat-oriented role-playing game that takes place in a realm inspired by the legends of Ancient China, and it features a variety of intriguing elements. The most important of them is the combat system, which is actually a lot like something you might see in an action game instead. Even so, Bioware’s mark is clearly visible in the story department, as well as the general atmosphere and setting.

You have the option to select one of multiple available characters in the beginning of the story, as well as his or her fighting style. Whether you want to be fast or strong, both options have their advantages and drawbacks, but the experience changes significantly depending on your choice. The story includes everything you could wish for from an RPG, including monsters and various other powerful foes that need to be stopped before they destroy the world.

As mentioned before, the combat system is not at all what you might imagine, especially if you are familiar with other Bioware games. Instead, it is based a lot on fast reflexes and good coordination, as well as flawless skill management. You can attack, defend yourself, evade hits and perform a variety of impressive moves to defeat your enemies, depending on your style. Dialog is also an important part of the gameplay, but not nearly as much as it was in Baldur’s Gate, or even Neverwinter Nights.

Jade Empire’s charm is fueled by the unique setting it takes place in. Few RPGs revolve around Ancient China and its legends, which makes exploration a lot more interesting. Thankfully, the graphics are nice enough to help you get in the proper mood, especially when it comes to the environment. The music is well-chosen as well, and the character animations during combat are fluid enough not to be annoying.

While Jade Empire: Special Edition is one class below the more famous series produced by Bioware, it’s still an impressive game with a lot to offer. Hence, if you are a fan of the Orient and you don’t turn down a good story, this is definitely worth a try.