CES 07: Jade Empire: Special Edition Hands-On

LAS VEGAS--Almost two years after the release of the original Jade Empire for the Xbox, developer BioWare is bringing the game to the PC in the form of Jade Empire: Special Edition. While we've written about some of the features that will differentiate this version from the original game in a prior preview, this is the first time we've had a chance to take up a mouse and try it for ourselves. Based on what we played on the show floor at CES, Jade Empire SE is looking like a winner on the PC.

The original game was a departure for the team at BioWare, which had previous success with games like Baldur's Gate and Knights of the Old Republic. With it's action adventure gameplay, multiple fighting styles, and Far East influences, the game looked and played like nothing the BioWare team had released before. Luckily the approachable controls, which began on the Xbox, have been translated over to the mouse and keyboard with minimal fuss.

Controlling your character is easy. You use the standard W, S, A, and D keys to move, and most of your attacks are controlled with the left and right buttons on the mouse. Multiple clicks of the left button will result in longer and more complicated chain attacks, but those can be blocked by enemies. Clicking the right button will result in a longer, more powerful attack that will break through a blocking enemy's defenses. Pressing the left and right buttons simultaneously resulted in an area attack that was ideal for making some room when the enemies piled up. In addition, as a magical martial artist in Jade Empire SE, you'll be able to focus your chi to add extra damage to your attacks (by pressing the E key) or heal yourself by holding down the left button on your mouse at any time.

One of the big focuses in Jade Empire is the emphasis on different fighting styles. The character we created, a chi-intensive magic user, had retractable claws she could use to carve up foes, as well as a special bo staff we picked up a bit later in the game. Switching between styles, or from one weapon to the next, was as easy as pressing the associated number on the keyboard. Periodically, you'll find other characters to party up with, and you'll be able to team up and take down enemies.

As in the console game, you begin Jade Empire as a student looking to complete your training as a martial artist under the tutelage of one Master Li. One day, a group of bandits attacks your village, and after fighting off the sea-faring bandits, your adventures in the world that bears a striking resemblance to ancient China (sans magic and mystical monsters, of course) will begin.

One aspect of Jade Empire that has received a significant overhaul is the graphics. The game made the most of the Xbox's graphical prowess, but it looks even better on a high-end PC. The environments especially are gorgeous--the tall grasses and flowers in the overgrown parts of the starting areas are fantastic, and the sophisticated lighting effects really add to the fantastical settings. About the only visual clue that this is a two-year-old game is the character models--while the faces show off a lot of detail and differentiation from one character to the next, the character bodies are slightly blocky in spots. Still, that's nitpicking on what should prove to be a fine-looking game on high-end PCs.

The original Jade Empire featured the BioWare hallmarks of a great story, compelling gameplay, and a rich settting to adventure in, and based on what we've seen of the Special Edition on the PC, the trend looks to continue. The PC version will feature a new weapon, a couple of new fighting styles, and a character--Monk Zeng--previously available only in the limited-edition Xbox version. If you've recently upgraded your gaming rig but haven't tried Jade Empire before, this seems like an opportune time to get in on the martial arts fun. Stay tuned for our full review of the game when it reaches store shelves in February.