Jade Empire for Xbox: Not Your Standard BioWare RPG

Jade Empire for Xbox is not your standard BioWare RPG - and it's certainly no "Baldur's Gate" rehash, either. Four years in the making, the developers' attention to detail is evident, from single blades of grass blowing in the wind to the realism of the game's setting in an ancient and mythical Chinese world where martial arts combat is l'ordre du jour.

BioWare draws on the history of China during the Warring States period as well as martial arts movies for its realistic in-game environment. Gamers will notice a plethora of references to Asian cinema, including game play that closely resembles several of Jackie Chan's early movies. There is a brawl in a teahouse, for example, in which tables can be used as weapons, and all of the typical features of a good martial arts movie are present: assassins, school rivalries, serious characters with hidden identities and even characters that are there purely for comic relief.

Jade Empire was released in both a special and a standard edition. The special edition features an entirely new playable character/fighting style. It also includes the standard "making of" features for good measure.

The game begins with a selection screen that lets players choose from six characters, three men and three women with different strengths and abilities. It's also possible to manually adjust each character's stats to give each game a more personal feel. You can name your character or generate a random name that is sure to provide more than a little amusement.