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| Game: |
Jade Empire |
| Genre: |
RPG |
| Developer: |
BioWare |
| Publisher: |
Microsoft Games |
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| Related Links: |
Coming Soon. |
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Kung-Fu movies have a lot to answer for, as they have created a whole generation of people who simply love to watch oriental forms of fighting. Most people will probably never wish to participate in actually learning a martial art form or taking part in tournaments. It seems that people simply love to watch fighting and with the often over the top choreographed sequences in today’s movies means that they are simply entertaining to watch.
Fighting has also featured heavily when it comes to video games to perhaps fulfil that same hungry desire to kick ass or watch kicking ass without any personal harm or perhaps a self sustained injury. Whilst passively watching movies is great for that visual effect; the element of control gamers have when playing martial arts inspired games is such that it has proved to be very popular genre.
Well, Jade Empire promises something a little different as it attempts to combine the depth and story of a role playing game, with the fluidity and style of a martial arts movie.
In Jade Empire players will be able to either choose a predetermined character as their main protagonist offering a tilt towards strength, speed or magic. Players will also be able to create their own custom character utilizing stats based on how they would like to play the game.
Jade Empire also promises a wide number of fighting styles (30 or more to be precise) which can be learnt as the player progresses through the game. Mastery of these skills is one that will take time and practice. Players might opt to develop certain styles more than others or simply have a wide knowledge of fighting styles at their disposal. Either way, when encountering the many enemies in the game, certain styles will work better than others against them. Players will also have a whole host of special moves as well. These include, Chi ability which raises attack power, Focus which slows down time during combat for more tricky opponents and of course those awesome looking Demon forms which allow players the chance to transform into demons of great power.
Jade Empire will offer a number of styles some of these are martial arts based such as the Legendary Fist or Storm Dragon. Others will be Magic based such as the Paralyzing Palm and the Dire Flame attacks. What is more there will also be some weapons based styles such as Twin Axes and Halberd, even improvised weaponry such as using chairs!
The World of Jade Empire is set in an alternate China where technology co-exists with a fantasy setting. Players assume the role of one of several tutors who are in training to become great warriors. As your village is attacked it’s up to you to avenge the deaths of the fallen in an epic quest of a lifetime. Players will be able to traverse many locations throughout their adventure including the harsh mountains of the Land of Howling Spirits to the lush gardens of the Imperial City where countless human and supernatural foes await. If you are to succeed in Jade Empire and become a true fighting master then you will have to find the courage to defeat these opponents. Every decision you make will have an effect on how the story plays out and undoubtedly affect those around you including enemies and allies. As with the Knights of the Old Republic players will be able to steer their characters towards the good side or to the darker extremes of human nature.
With plenty of dialogue, exploration, party members, fighting and many side adventures to embark on, Jade Empire looks like its going to be a welcome inclusion to the Xbox catalogue of games when it is released sometime in April this year. A bonus version of the game will also be released for those who preorder. This Limited Edition version will include a bonus character, a bonus fighting style and a behind-the-scenes "making of " video feature on DVD produced by G4 – video game television. The bonus character, Monk Zeng, has the ability to channel his Chi, or spiritual energy, to fuel powerful magic attacks that manipulate both elemental and spiritual forces. Monk Zeng can equip himself with a special weapon called the monk spade, a deadly weapon useful for slashing foes at a distance and finishing them with lethal follow-up attacks.
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