A mini-game, a rather cheaply constructed top down shooter, is the only other action you'll see. It plays fine as far as basic shooters go; it just seems out of place for a game trying to be such an epic. The rest of the game is a matter of walking, performing various side quests, and moving on. Side quests are a necessity only to level up. You could easily breeze through the game in a matter of a few hours by staying on the main storyline.
The environments in Jade Empire make it gorgeous. Character design and models seem pedestrian, while the world they inhabit's done well enough to make it believable. Each new section of the game feels different then the last, and there's no need to visit the same large area twice. It always feels fresh. It also keeps a steady frame rate, even with 10 enemies on screen.
Considering how many different characters speak, it's impressive just how well done the acting is. There are a few moments where it all seems forced or even annoying. That's not outside the realm of acceptability. The soundtrack is fully orchestrated, and the main theme that runs all the way through doesn't just fit the game, it makes it better.
Jade Empire has a chance to reach out to a larger base then Knights of the Old Republic. The combat is far easier to get into and understand without a lengthy tutorial and it's a completely new world to explore. The process of making your character is obviously borrowed from their previous efforts and that's okay. This isn't a classic, just an easier extension of their previous efforts.
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