Action-RPG with a kick!
What's to like:
- Very challenging
- Many styles of fighting (+ magic)
- Good role play choices (good or evil)
- Good graphics for an RPG
- Good animations
- Good Ending
- Great story
- Great audio (voice overs and environmental)
What you may not like:
- Tough at times
- Controls take some time to get used to
- Unsatisfying romance conclusion
Story - Rich
Strongest element of this game is its rich story that doesn't skip on the history details to support the current events.
If you have played some KOEI games (Romance of the three kingdoms or dynasty warriors) you will find yourself trying to relate to it.
Game - I've always wanted to play a Martial Arts RPG and this one actually delivers.
First, you choose the gender and the type of fighter you aspire to be. That already is very cool. You will be able to shape your character as he/she levels up. The initial style mostly gives you combat styles for free.
During your journey, you will meet people that may, if you play your cards right, offer you to teach you new styles. In the end, you get to possess most of the styles available. So don't sweat too much about it.
Styles are very important because not all styles are efficient against all types of enemies. So it is not wise to spend all you skill points in 1 style until you have the other styles covered.
The game is already challenging enough as it is with the proper styles used against the right enemies.
Companions in this game is much like Never Winter Nights 1 where you can only have 1 follower in your group. You don't directly control the follower but he or she will provide you different types of bonuses (healing, more damage, etc.) and distraction while you mow down your enemies.
Conclusion - a charming game
The story is so rich and the possibilities are so wide that you really feel *there* and re-living that chinese history and some of its mythologies.
Immediately after finishing the game, I restarted a new game to see what I missed the first time around, shows how good it was.
Overall a 8.7/10.