From Wiki http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jade_Empire
Xbox cover, there is a PC version available on Steam
Jade Empire is an action role-playing game developed by Canadian developer BioWare and first published in 2005 by Microsoft Game Studios as a worldwide release for the Xbox.[2] The later, two-disc Limited Edition contained extra content.[3] On May 10, 2006 BioWare announced a version for Microsoft Windows XP, to be published by 2K Games and developed by LTI Gray Matter, which was subsequently released in North America on February 26, 2007 as a Special Edition.[2] The Special Edition was also released through the Steam delivery system on February 27, 2007 published by Valve Corporation. Jade Empire was released as an Xbox Original on Microsoft’s Xbox 360 on July 21, 2008. TransGaming Technologies announced immediate availability of the Special Edition for Intel-based Macs on August 18, 2008.[4]
Overview
Jade Empire follows the style of the Wuxia genre within a mythical setting inspired by ancient China. The player, who can be either male or female, progresses through an adventure based on traditional martial arts and can discover and develop new fighting styles:[5] martial arts,[6] weapon styles,[7] magic styles,[8] support styles, or transformation styles. Combat is not turn-based, but is in real time, granting players control over how and when characters dodge or attack. In this fashion the player may change styles during combat and possibly initiate a Harmonic Combo.[9]
The role playing statistic system in Jade Empire uses a tri-stat system Body, Mind, and Spirit.[10] These primary stats control the secondary stats of Health, Focus, and Chi (respectively), and the conversation skills of Charm, Intuition, and Intimidation. Focus is used by fighting with weapon styles (such as a longsword or a staff) or by choosing “focus mode”, which slows the movements of other characters, allowing the player to attack at high speeds. Chi is a character’s spirit energy. The player can use it to heal himself, to charge up a powerful “chi strike” to deal large damage, or to use it as “mana” when casting spells or transformations. Health, focus, and chi can be replenished by collecting power-ups left by defeated enemies in combat or by using Focus Shrines and Spirit Fonts found in the game world. Additionally, certain party members[11] have the ability to add their power to yours—refilling your stats while they remain out of harm’s way.
Certain aspects of Jade Empire’s gameplay engine, dialogue and quest systems are handled in a way that is very similar to BioWare’s Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic games for the Xbox and PC. Players can speak to NPCs in the game’s towns and other areas, asking questions for information to learn more about the world, the storyline, and other characters. Many of these NPCs will offer the player side quests that can be completed for experience points and items. These quests often have more than one method of completion depending on whether the player chooses to follow the “High path” (in the game referred to as The Way of the Open Palm[12]) or the “Low path” (The Way of the Closed Fist[13]). The player can respond to questions or take courses of action that are consistent with the philosophy he or she follows; different actions will affect a character’s alignment and his or her ability to cast certain spells or equip certain items.
There is also a vertical-scrolling airplane shooter included in Jade Empire as a mini-game, which is triggered by certain events in the storyline. In the mini-game, only the health and chi bars are active. Chi is replenished by shooting enemies, and is used for special attacks specific to the mini-game. The yellow focus spheres will upgrade your primary cannon up to three times. Red health spheres refill your health bar as in the main game.
Jade Empire also features the constructed language Tho Fan developed by Wolf Wikeley, a Ph.D. candidate in linguistics at the University of Alberta.[14]
Philosophies
Much of the game places emphasis on the two major philosophies in the world of the Jade Empire, the Way of the Open Palm and the Way of the Closed Fist. These paths bear a close resemblance to the “Light Path” and “Dark Path” described in the BioWare title Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic; however, a minor character states “I believe there can be intrigue behind the Way of the Open Palm, and honour behind the Way of the Closed Fist.” Thus one who follows the Way of the Open Palm is not necessarily good, and one who follows the Way of the Closed Fist is not necessarily evil.
According to the “Way of the Open Palm,” the key to maintaining the universe is by being in harmony with nature, one’s surroundings, and one’s station in life. As an effect of being in nature with one’s surroundings, one is expected to actively assist in lessening the chaos in the area, through the assistance of lessening burdens. While this seems “Peaceful”, the Way of the Open Palm is strict in another form: one should not act outside their station and purpose in life.[12]
According to the “Way of the Closed Fist,” on the other hand, the purpose of life is to follow the ways of serving oneself — to face one’s challenges head on, challenge one’s station in life, and work to become self-reliant. The emphasis of the Way of the Closed Fist is combat, turmoil, and constantly challenging oneself, which is why many of those who are evil tend to be considered to follow the Way of the Closed Fist, in that they bring about chaos in the universe.[13]
Context plays a large part in the interpretation of these philosophies. For example, an evil follower of the Open Palm path could enable the suffering of others in order to achieve greater order,[12] and a good follower of the Closed Fist path could encourage self-reliance in others, thus making them happier.[13] For instance, if a follower of the Open Palm came upon a peasant being attacked by a gang of bandits, he would help because it is the right thing to do. Conversely, if a follower of the Closed Fist encountered this situation, he would reason that the peasant must survive on their own merit, or die. However, the Closed Fist student might also help the peasant if he felt that the peasant was too far out of his league for such a battle to be a valid test of his strength. For example, if a common thug came upon this situation he may not help the peasant due to concern for his own safety, but then later claim he was merely following the way of the Closed Fist. In this way, the Closed Fist tends to be misconstrued as evil.
Despite the philosophical nuances, the actual game play in Jade Empire for the most part casts Open Palm actions as selfless and heroic, and Closed Fist actions as selfish and thuggish.
it was so fun. Then the zombies were comig after us. But you left me 