This is a Jade Empire Review for the Xbox by Strubes.

     This is one of those “grabs you and never lets you go” type games. With its in-depth customization, stellar graphics, intriguing story, and immersive combat system, this is an Xbox exclusive RPG that refused to be anything short of “amazing”. The story starts off with you, being the most prized possession of a school for martial arts, in a duel with a fellow student.  This presents the in-game fighting tutorial which is very easy to learn.  After that, you can make your way around the school and the areas surrounding it.  When a member of the school goes missing, and a group of bandits attacks the town near-by, it’s up to you to save the townspeople.  Shortly after this, your master is kidnapped and presents the premise for the entire game.  Learn about your past and save your master from his unruly captors.

     The customization aspect of the game starts as soon as you start the game.  You’re able to choose from a number of different characters, both male and female (with the special edition, you also can play as a warrior monk), create your custom name, select your fighting styles, and add points to three abilities: Body (for health), Spirit (for chi), and Mind (for focus).  You can earn and find a number of gems and other special items that enhance each of these abilities and others throughout the game.  The other abilities consist of your socializing skills.  Mind and Body affect your Charm skill, Mind and Spirit affect your Intuition skill, and Body and Spirit enhance your Intimidation skill. When you level up, you’ll automatically receive three points which can only be used on Body, Spirit, and Mind.  You’ll also receive a continuously rising number of points for you to add onto your fighting styles.  The environments in Jade Empire will blow your mind away!  For once, the grass actually moves when you pass through it and you cause ripples in the water as you wade through aquatic areas.

     The main focus of this game is what path you choose to follow.  Every decision you make, whether it be when fighting, or during a conversation, decides whether you are good or evil. In Jade Empire, good is the way of the open palm, whereas evil is the way of the closed fist.  For example, if you come into contact with a character and he is in shambles about his life, a good way to earn open palm points would be to cheer him up and possibly carry out a favor for him. If you decide to put an end to his constant blabbering and kill him on the other hand, you’ll easily bag some closed fist points.  Both ways have their advantages. There are quests that you can undertake while living the life of the way of the open palm that you cannot partake in if you’re studying the way of the closed fist. There’s also different fighting styles that can be learned only when your either open palm or closed fist.  There is seemingly a never-ending amount of material in this game that you can dive right into. There are even mini-games that become addicting real fast! The only thing that could have been better would be the loading times. Although, I guess the prolonged loading times do make sense, noting all the stuff there is to do once it’s done.

     All in all, this is a “Must-Buy” game if you have an Xbox. Do not pass up on this once in a lifetime gaming experience.  After playing this game, you’ll be out on the streets hunting down demons and saving the empire before you know it!