BioWare always wanted to develop game like this. Jade Empire was their first original RPG

In this article, we’ll be focusing on one game from BioWare’s golden age: Jade Empire. This captivating title lets players assume the role of a martial arts master.

BioWare always wanted to develop Jade Empire

BioWare, without a doubt, is a renowned studio that requires no introduction. Regardless of personal opinions about their games, they are among the industry’s seasoned veterans who have gifted us timeless series such as Baldur’s Gate, Mass Effect, and Dragon Age. They have also crafted Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic and Neverwinter Nights. These titles are nothing short of true classics.

Initially conceived by founders Ray Muzyka and Greg Zeschuk since BioWare’s establishment, the idea for Jade Empire took root. They envisioned an immersive experience where players could embody a martial arts master. Eventually launched in 2005 on the original Xbox, it seemed unusual given the impending release of the Xbox 360 just a few months away. In retrospect, Greg Zeschuk revealed during an interview with Gamesindustry.biz that polishing the game and waiting for the new Microsoft console could have enhanced this title’s performance.

If the game for this IP had been released simultaneously on PC or as one of the pioneering titles for the latest generation, its history could have unfolded quite differently. Regrettably, it seems that this IP has fallen into obscurity. However, there’s a chance that it hasn’t completely disappeared…

The development of a follow-up to Jade Empire, known as Revolver, had been in progress, but eventually got scrapped. Unfortunately, no new games set in that universe have been announced by BioWare since then. Despite the captivating world depicted in Jade Empire, it seems there are currently no plans for another game in this series.

Demons, gods, mad scientists – in this world, we cannot get bored

The aspect of Jade Empire that immediately stands out to me is the intricately crafted world. It’s evident that considerable effort was invested in its design. Upon entering, you find yourself in a nation reminiscent of ancient China, but it’s not an exact replica. Instead, the developers drew inspiration from multiple sources, blending historical facts with mythological elements.

This territory brims with distinctive and frequently amusing characters, as well as intriguing settings that developers handle seamlessly. You’ll encounter a humorous figure named Henpecked Hou in a cannibal-infested location. He was once a bun maker who used the Drunken Master fighting style in the arena, but his wife prohibits him from pursuing his dreams. Our party members also include a girl with two demons within her, a former elite assassin haunted by guilt for past transgressions, and a mad scientist whose background is shrouded in mystery. One wonders if he’s truly who he presents himself to be.

Consequentially, players found themselves immersed in a vibrant game populated by both virtuous and malevolent spirits, along with divine entities. The Cosmic Administration maintains order, making sure these mythical figures perform their duties correctly… Yet, an intriguing question arises: if this is the case, why are deceased souls hesitant to leave the physical realm? Our objective is to unravel this mystery.

Plot is also quite something

In the game Jade Empire, the narrative unfolds alongside a captivating universe. You assume the role of a freshly trained martial arts apprentice, who is abruptly compelled to depart from his village home. Your voyage takes you across various destinations – initially traversing small settlements, then forests and marshes, eventually arriving at the capital city.

It’s reasonable to categorize the game under Wuxia genre, where the protagonist engages in combat against evil forces using martial arts and abilities that sometimes border on the supernatural. Interestingly, Jade Empire gives us two distinct paths: The Path of Iron Fist or The Path of Peaceful Hand. Essentially, this allows players to complete certain missions either as a selfless character, helping others, or as an individual driven by personal gain. However, these choices don’t significantly alter the game mechanics or main storyline. Despite being less impactful than expected, given that there are three tasks exclusive to one path, it seems this feature was initially intended to be more substantial but was scaled back. Nevertheless, for those who enjoy role-playing their characters in games, this addition provides a welcome touch.

The storyline is so engaging that we can’t help but pay close attention to the unfolding sequence of events. It’s not about profound philosophical insights into life and mortality, but rather an exciting journey filled with well-defined distinctions between right and wrong. In the game Jade Empire, you might find yourself deceived as it occasionally provides false information. Along the way, you’ll encounter some unexpected plot twists, although they are often predictable to a certain extent.

Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer

In the creations of BioWare, there’s a recurring storytelling device: characters who were once allies may eventually switch sides. This theme can be traced back to their 2002 game Neverwinter Knights and is consistent across many of their subsequent titles. Even Jade Empire doesn’t shy away from this trope. While I won’t spoil the specifics, I felt it was worth discussing because its execution in this game wasn’t as successful as in other games of theirs.

In a different phrasing: A surprising turn in a game can leave a player speechless and reminiscing for decades. It appears that Jade Empire may have aimed to create a similar effect, but fell short. Regrettably, I can’t recall my initial reactions to certain plot twists when I first played this game years ago. However, I do remember following the “betrayal” storyline with a sense of awkwardness today. The game seems to heavily telegraph upcoming events, reducing the excitement of independent discovery and the thrill of piecing together facts, as well as the shock when the plot unfolds.

To be clear, the concept was solid. The character chosen for the act of betrayal seemed fitting, and the plot developed in a way that made sense to us. However, the delivery could have been smoother. The guidance provided lacked finesse, which impacted its overall impact.

What about the fight?

In case you were wondering, the focus of this game seems to be more on history and plot rather than combat. However, please note that this isn’t because combat in Jade Empire is terrible; quite the contrary, it’s just not as rich or complex as other aspects of the game. Let’s delve into the narrative from the start.

Jade Empire presents a diverse range of combat styles, which can be categorized as weapon-based, hand-to-hand, magical, and shape-shifting into legendary beings. To conserve your abilities that rely on Chi and Focus, it’s best to hold back when fighting weaker opponents at the beginning of the game, saving them for encounters with stronger enemies later on to prevent premature exhaustion.

It becomes apparent that certain approaches outperform others significantly, like employing the Jade Golem, which makes it unlikely that any adversary will pose a challenge for you. The drawback of this tactic lies in the expense of Chi, but this can be mitigated by using development points earned from leveling up. In most confrontations, though, you won’t typically need to utilize such potent abilities. Ultimately, many skirmishes reduce to merely jumping behind opponents and striking them swiftly.

As a gamer, I’ve got to say, the variety in the types of foes I face isn’t all that impressive – I seem to come across most of them pretty early in the game. And let’s talk about those battle arenas for a sec – they’re not exactly a thrill ride with their lack of engaging interactive features or obstacles. They serve more as backdrops, often just plain, empty spaces.

Although the combat system may not be flawless, it offers an engaging and dynamic experience that masks its imperfections. Plus, exploring various fighting styles can bring a lot of enjoyment. On the downside, the game does not allow you to reset skills, so we must exercise caution when allocating our points, as this restricts the opportunity for experimentation.

How to play Jade Empire today?

Today, you can enjoy the classic game, Jade Empire, not just on older Xbox models but also on Xbox One and Series X/S for $9.99. Since I don’t own any of these consoles, I had to dig out this title for my PC. Initially, I attempted to play it via Steam, as I had purchased it years ago. Unfortunately, the game failed to start up.

While skimming through unfavorable feedback, I realized that I wasn’t alone in encountering the same issue. Facing two options – either attempting a fix or utilizing GOG’s alternative (at $14.99) – I found myself fortunate as JE was on sale for nearly half the price at the moment. Recognizing my mental well-being as a priority, I opted to go for it. As expected, this version functioned smoothly, up until a specific point…

Lately, I attempted to run Jade Empire for some screenshots, only to find that instead of launching, the game caused my monitor to lose connection with the computer. Thankfully, repairing the files resolved this issue. To do so, you simply needed to locate the game in your library, then under Installation Management options, choose “Check/Repair” (the process might take some time). Although the problem recurred occasionally, it never persisted like the initial occurrence. A bit of patience was all that was required for the error to correct itself.

The game Jade Empire additionally has a mobile adaptation available on iOS devices (at $9.99). Unfortunately, the Android version of this game was removed from sale, meaning that now only Apple device owners can obtain and download it.

For PC, iOS, and not available on Xbox (as there’s no such designation in the Xbox store), you can find an enhanced edition titled Special Edition. Compared to the original, this edition boasts some upgrades: increased resolution, enhanced AI, and additional fighting styles. Over time, it seems that additional visual improvements were made as well. Notably, the GOG version supports 4K resolution when you opt for widescreen settings.

2025-01-08 12:32