Retro Vision: Bioware’s Lost Gem – JADE EMPIRE


Bioware are well known for providing games with a strong story, a fantastic and immersive world and engaging characters. This generation they’ve given us the Mass Effect trilogy, a hallmark of modern games, and the Dragon Age series that also has a strong fanbase surrounding it’s world and characters.

Everyone knows about these though, everyones played Knights of the Old Republic, most gamers have even heard of Neverwinter Nights. But who talks about Jade Empire? Bioware have never expanded on this IP to make it a series and that is one of the biggest shames of this generation. Given the technology of the potential next-gen consoles, a sequel could be absolutely beautiful.

Disclaimer: This is in my top 3 games of all time and written about the Xbox version, I have never played the PC port.

The Premise

Set in an ancient world inspired by mythical China, Jade Empire lets you train under your master’s watchful eye as you learn powerful martial arts and mystical powers. When danger threatens, you’ll travel across the world, from the harsh mountains of the Land of Howling Spirits to the lush gardens of the Imperial City. In your adventures, you must face powerful human and supernatural foes, learn the exotic and magical martial arts, and discover the darkest secrets of the world. Practice the greatest fighting styles and defeat the most powerful enemies to become a master of martial arts

The Story

In standard Bioware fashion, the story is one of the strongest parts of the overall package. It starts slow, small and very personal and before you know it you’re thrown across ancient China on a quest. I’ve played through the game 8 times now and I still enjoy it just as much as the first. The story doesn’t get old and I can happily spend all of that time with the great cast of memorable characters.

The World

Along with Bethesda, Bioware are amongst the elite when it comes to creating a world that you just don’t want to leave. They cram in so many tertiary details and history that their worlds feel like they were living and breathing long before you ever arrived.

Ancient China and the myths that come with it provide such rich possibilities for games that it’s outstanding that more games haven’t explored it as a locale. The design is superb, from architecture to arch villains, everything has a distinct style that makes it a joy to play.

The Combat

For something with so many RPG elements, the combat is far from the stale affair often associated with the genre. There’s a large variety of fighting styles and the game will play different depending on which one you choose. There are fast styles, combo based ones, ‘magic’ style ones (called chi), a weapon based style even a transformation style.

Each has it’s own benefit and weaknesses and each companion will complement a different fighting style in certain ways. It has quite a lot of depth. There are some issues, places where you may be forced to use a certain style that you haven’t upgraded but it’s major flaw is difficulty. The game is pretty easy, it’s definitely worth bumping up the difficulty setting if you’re looking for something a bit more challenging. By the end of the game I had a skill that could kill the final boss in about 10 seconds.

The Gameplay

As an RPG, there is a lot beyond the combat. There is the standard Bioware choice system that has some pretty interesting consequences, as well as things like affecting what fighting styles are available to you. There is a morality meter that alters options that are available to you throughout the game as well as impacting on the ending (Mass Effect 3 haters pay attention).

The Sound

If any of you have played Mass Effect you know how good a composer Jack Wall is. His work is present here and is just as good as always, with the soundtrack being award nominated. Here’s a sample of the main theme, that’s all I need to say really.

The Verdict:

Is it just rose tinted glasses that have me remembering this game so fondly? Looking at the Metacritic score of 89 and the fact I can still name all of the companions and the story has stuck with me, I’d have to go with no.

It may not have the recognition of Mass Effect, or the nostalgia of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic but it’s a very good game and if you have any interest in action RPG’s or games that will take you on a journey you should definitely give it a look!