Jade Empire: Special Edition review

While everybody was kung-fu fighting, we were hurling lightning

GamesRadar+ Verdict

Pros

  • +

    Lush environments

  • +

    Fast-paced and taxing fighting

  • +

    Great support cast & excellent dialog

Cons

  • -

    Fighting's a little janky

  • -

    Two-year old Xbox game

  • -

    Pretty short

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We’re trying desperately to replenish our chi before our scantily-clad female character wades back into kung fu combat with a flaming horse demon. Of course, that’s pretty much par for the course in Jade Empire, BioWare’s latest role-playing epic in which the traditional fantasy trappings have been replaced with a mythical Chinese setting. But being a port of a two-year-old Xbox title, is this a case of glorious reincarnation or ageing master?

The first act introduces you to the controls and the story. Ghosts inhabit the world of the living and after your home-town is destroyed and your master is taken by the Lotus Assassins, it’s a non-stop action ride to set the world’s problems straight. Expect a journey packed to the rafters with a fantastic supporting cast and a wide variety of inventive foes, from arrogant fellow students to animal spirits and creepy ghosts.

More info

GenreRole Playing
DescriptionAn already great game, Jade Empire gets even better for the PC.
Platform"PC"
US censor rating"Rating Pending"
UK censor rating""
Less