Jade Empire now an Xbox Original

by Justin McElroy { Jul 21st 2008 at 2:50PM }

We've always thought that Jade Empire gets a bad rap, perhaps in part because it came from BioWare, a house normally known for its sterling quality. After all, it's got a decent story, sort of decent combat, and roster of characters that walks the line between stereotypical and racist. ... Come to think of it, it's not really their best effort, is it? Luckily, you don't have to take our word for it: The game is now available for $15 as an Xbox Original.

We were going to heartily recommend it, but now, after having a bit of a think, we're not so sure. Let's open it up to our loyal commenters: Is Jade Empire worth the cash and time?

[Via X3F]

Tags: bioware, jade-empire, xbox-originals

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

k04sm02 @ Jul 21st 2008 2:53PM

I still enjoyed it. When you consider it on the Xbox, it was still a lot of fun.

Wubbytoes @ Jul 21st 2008 2:53PM

Its worth it, but you can always just buy it used at Gamestop for $7.99

luir @ Jul 21st 2008 2:54PM

f***, i really want to buy it but microsoft block content for countries without official xbox live service, like Brazil(here)

MarMar @ Jul 21st 2008 4:24PM

you have better looking women, so quit complainin'

ThornedVenom (Harley Quinn Defense Force) @ Jul 21st 2008 11:36PM

Games or women? GAMES OR WOMEN?!!

I've never been so conflicted in my life before. ;__;

PSN & GAMERTAG: jorojoserojas - Wii FC: 0749-8609-3752-6926 @ Jul 21st 2008 2:54PM

Most definitely worth a purchase.
This was one of my favorite Xbox games for a good while, and while it may not be quite as good as KOTOR, it still managed to be one of the better RPGs last gen.

Besides, KOTOR and other BioWare games are an extremely high bar to meet, and Jade Empire can sort of compare to it.

Mike @ Jul 21st 2008 2:59PM

Definitely worth every penny. I bought the game for $40 for PC and never once felt like I wasn't getting my money's worth. There were some annoying characters but there were also some downright memorable and funny ones. The combat was fun and all the different fighting styles to choose from made for some great variety. IMO the story was top notch, twists and turns galore, and it had some good Bioware style moral choice aspects as well.

The Beta Max @ Jul 21st 2008 3:00PM

Yeah, considering you can get better games for cheaper at your local used game emporium, I going to say NOT WORTH IT. Hopefully with the New Xbox Experience they implement achievements on their Originals titles. That may explain why they really haven't been pushing the games...

xFenixKnightx @ Jul 21st 2008 4:13PM

The problem is getting devs to go back and put them in. Not sure they want to do that but yeah I agree it would be great if they did. Originals would sell waaaaaaay more and theres so many more great titles to be released still. I'm sure MS could get Bungie to put some on Halo: CE and Halo 2 if they pushed it more.

benjor0x0r @ Jul 21st 2008 3:01PM

I actually just started playing this again last week. I really like the story, the characters are well thought out, the graphics are (still) exceptionally good, and the gameplay is fun. I especially like that you can switch between styles so easily. Its sad to see you guys quite obviously judge it against KOTOR and others rather than as a stand alone effort. I would still put it in my top 10.

baby sea tuna @ Jul 21st 2008 3:05PM

Hm...I really do want to play this. Maybe I'll just pick up a used copy instead and save my spacebucks for one of the shitton of XBLA games coming out in the next month or so.

xFenixKnightx @ Jul 21st 2008 4:15PM

1942: Joint Strike this week baby!!!

amazo @ Jul 21st 2008 3:07PM

it's still worth a play, no matter if you pay for used or new.

Joran @ Sep 18th 2008 11:06AM

As an Asian-American, I didn't remember anything that was particularly racist. I found the setting unique and story to be top-notch, but the fighting was tedious and broken.

Once you develop the "leap, hit" and the "block until they charge up a strong attack and interrupt it with a jab", you can defeat any enemy.

All in all, it's a good game, but I prefer my games in hard copy.

Chase @ Jul 21st 2008 4:15PM

I'm Japanese, and did not find Jade Empire to be racist at all. O_O;

ThornedVenom (Harley Quinn Defense Force) @ Jul 21st 2008 11:38PM

Silly commenters: if you want to find a game racist, you should NOT play it in the first place.

The_Punisher @ Jul 21st 2008 3:12PM

I thought it was an amazing game, but $15 is steep.

Roofie @ Jul 21st 2008 3:13PM

It's worth your time and the price, but not the HDD space.

Alex @ Jul 21st 2008 4:53PM

What? This was one of the best games I have ever played.

Wise Guy @ Jul 21st 2008 3:23PM

To all those that would rather pick up a used copy... I would recommend downloading it instead. I bought this game and tried to use it on my 360 back when it joined the BC list..... it was really buggy. Now that this game won't be emulated.. I would think there would be less issues. I never got to play this game nearly as much as I wanted. I think BioWare has a reputation for quality games and that if you are a fan.. this one should not be missed.

Dr. Stabbingworth @ Jul 21st 2008 3:43PM

Why would it not be emulated? I'm sure all you're downloading is a rip of the game disc.

McWeen @ Jul 21st 2008 3:29PM

These original Xbox games on Xbox Marketplace are a rip off. Both of my local Best Buys have new copies of this game on the shelf for $9.99 and I am sure it is less than that at a Gamestop.

MooseMuffin @ Jul 21st 2008 3:33PM

Wasn't really worth it at full price, though I'd pay 15 for it if I didn't already own it.

thispaceforsale @ Jul 21st 2008 3:40PM

depends, are you going to play jade empire instead of okami or bioshock, then it would be a poor choice
but if you were debating its merits alongside lesser fare, say sudeki or phantasmagoria, go with jade empire

sohcahtoa @ Jul 21st 2008 3:40PM

I love this game. It is simple and easy, and i think thats what made it so much fun for me. Good break from hardcore RPG gaming.

Dave Wakefield @ Jul 21st 2008 3:55PM

I played this on the original Xbox shortly after it came out and was reasonably impressed. If you liked either of the KOTOR games, you should like Jade Empire.

It plays pretty much the same at those. The only real difference is the setting and lack of the Star Wars license. Given that you can buy the original Xbox disc release new or used for less than $10, you're better off going with the hard copy.

Bertrand @ Jul 21st 2008 4:03PM

Actually one of my favorite from Bioware. Enjoyed it immensely.

Carrie @ Jul 21st 2008 4:05PM

Loved this game! I bought it for PC at half-price books (special edition for $15) and it was totally worth it. The story is great, the characters are awesome. Graphics are a bit dated but any REAL gamer knows that graphics aren't everything!

BlackDove @ Jul 21st 2008 4:09PM

Paralysing Palm!

Legendary Strike!

Paralysing Palm!

Legendary Strike!

Paralysing Palm!

Legendary Strike!

Paralysing Palm!

Legendary Strike!

That's all I remember doing really. 100% health at all times with those two styles maxed. Must have switched em at least 100 or so times in a boss fight.

Or you know, just switch to Jade Golem and... well... it's like flipping on a cheat.

I loved the music personally, it was one of its high points. The visuals however (on the PC, max detail at 1600x1200) are just simply amazing for a game as old as this. I actually played the game twice, really like it. It's the good old Bioware KOTOR like RPG. In stereotypical China. With martial arts instead of lightsabres.

Jeff @ Jul 21st 2008 4:13PM

I just bought it for PC for $4.99 and I'm playing it with my 360 controller. I really couldn't get into the combat using keyboard and mouse. =/

Ghetto Levis @ Jul 21st 2008 4:13PM

Finished the game. Thrice. So, yes... worth it. Although it's prolly cheaper on a disc (and/or for PC).

Zootittles @ Jul 21st 2008 4:14PM

You can get the PC version for just over $10 shipped. If you have the means, get that one instead.

ballistic3188 @ Jul 21st 2008 4:18PM

great story and great charcters. just a bad combat system that was exploitable and way too simplistic.

Dwag @ Jul 21st 2008 4:21PM

DOA3(i've never played) I would love to see that and Halo 2 with the DLC i've love to see that. They need to update there shit more two a month is slow they need to start dropping like 5 a month.

MarMar @ Jul 21st 2008 4:27PM

I felt sterotyped as the white male savior of the universe in mass effect! I demand repirations!

Thomas @ Jul 21st 2008 4:51PM

Definitely worth it! It may not be BioWare's best, but it's still one of the top 5 RPGs on the original Xbox. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

donalbane @ Jul 21st 2008 4:53PM

Can you make the PC version run in widescreen? If so, go PC. If not, downloading it isn't a bad option. But yeah, the disc is probably a better option for most people.

SergeStorms @ Jul 21st 2008 5:24PM

Why do people hate this game so much? This game was an absolute blast with a great story. Combat was good enough but the story and characters were amazing. Well worth your money.

Misfit Toy @ Jul 21st 2008 5:52PM

One of my favorite games ever. Love the music. Great story twist as well. Combat isn't the best ever, but still fun. Bioware is best at story first, gameplay second.

Misfit Toy @ Jul 21st 2008 5:56PM

Okami and Bioshock are really different games. I don't see how they'd be alternatives. More like supplemental.

GlennFrank @ Jul 21st 2008 6:11PM

Great game, loved it the first and second (recently) time I played through it.
Heartily recommended & even if you aren't sure about it you could spend your $ on a lot worse.

Kevin949 @ Jul 21st 2008 7:09PM

It was good. Not great. Definitely could have been better if they implemented more of a fighting game combat system. Absolutely worth playing if you're a fan of bioware and like these types of games. It was definitely a nice departure from the norm of RPG's.

Churchy @ Jul 21st 2008 8:57PM

I thought it was good. I wouldnt buy it for 15 from live

but if you find yourself looking for something at gamestop and they have a used copy for like 10 bucks I'd tell pretty much anyone to grab it.

ianp711 @ Jul 21st 2008 9:58PM

I enjoyed the game, don't know why ppl didn't like it.

Matt @ Jul 22nd 2008 6:08AM

To all the people saying 'I don't get why everyone disliked it': everyone didn't dislike it. It has a 89 on metacritic, with 6 perfect scores and 56 of 84 reviews giving it 90% or higher.

Joystiq writers do not represent the general opinion. Sometimes, they do not even represent sane opinions.