Jade Empire

Delve into a moral fantasyland created by the minds behind Knights of the Old Republic.

Designed to appeal to fans of both action games and RPGs, Jade Empire is a martial arts RPG which will offer deep exploration overtones and character interaction with fast-paced combat.

You start the game with a choice between seven different character archetypes -- some are slow but strong, others small and fast, while others are magical men. Your character has three main attributes -- Body, Mind and Spirit -- and three secondary abilities -- Health, Focus and Chi.

Each archetype has different attribute levels, but you can adjust levels and customize abilities, and allocate XP to attributes as you see fit, effectively allowing you to change archetypes if you find that the one you choose at the beginning of the game doesn?t fit your taste.

Though BioWare is tight-lipped about specific plot details, it did say that Jade Empire is a story of power and its potential to be used as a boon to mankind or a force of oppression. The story is heavily influenced by various historical and mythological traditions from Asia.

Like Knights of the Old Republic, decisions you make will markedly affect the story?s evolution. You will constantly be faced by moral dilemmas that will shape your character into a force of good or evil. The tale?s non-linear nature, and multitudinous endings combined with tons of side quests will provide high replay incentives and boost playing time well over the main tale?s estimated 30-40 hour duration.

Your character can train in various martial arts schools and learn a different style in each one. BioWare is developing about 30 fictional styles, all of which are based on real world martial arts. You can opt to dip into many of them or focus on mastering a few. Certain styles will be taught by good masters while others only by evil ones, so choices you make will affect what you will be able to learn.

Combat is in real time and when fighting enemies you have to use styles which will exploit your opponent?s weaknesses. Mixing styles, or weapons, on the fly when the situation calls for it is critical to winning fights. Using your secondary abilities such as Focus and Chi allow you to slow time, charge up attacks and heal wounds. If your Chi is low you can siphon some from your opponent.

Given BioWare's track record to create amazingly immersive worlds that, while fantastic, seem strangely familiar, and the kick-ass concept of Jade Empire, we can't wait to see it, play, and live it.

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