[Ginkasa]

I rented it yesterday (and I barely had enough money for that...*tear*). I'm about 7-8 hours into it (just about to leave Tien's Landing), and I have to say I'm really liking it.

Its not really what I expected, though. I was expecting pretty much a more refined KotOR set in China and with real-time combat. Its not, really. There are plenty of similarites, sure, but its a lot more different than I thought it would be.

First, the customibility of your character is pretty much gone. At the beginning of the game you're given a set of character models and preference of gameplay styles. Like, one of them is "Wu the Prodigy" (or something like that) and he has a balanced play style. You are able to change the name, but that's about it in terms of making the character your own.

The stats are taken way done. There are only three areas to put points into (body, mind, and spirit). Its less complicated, but you don't have to the ability to fine-tune your characters to what you want exactly.

While I haven't tried any other characters out besides a "balanced" one, I can't see how something else could be all that different. This is a shame, since the different stats in KotOR could really change how you needed to play to win...

Combat is also completely different, although I knew that already. Its all in real time. While this makes things go faster and gives you more direct control over your character (it feels more like you're actually punching a guy in Jade Empire, as opposed to just giving the order like in KotOR...if that makes sense), its also makes it a bit simplistic. The styles and all seem kind of wasted, too. I haven't really seen a need to switch out of my original martial arts style...

The companion is also completely worthless. The only control you have over it is whether it is attacking or supporting, and that's only for a few of the characters I've gotten so far. Attacking is stupid 'cause they hardly do half as well as you do against the enemies. They don't even do well as a distraction. Supporting is a little more helpful, but the only support move that has really been super helpful is Dawn Star's Chi regenerative thing.

There are also no real items. There are gems you can equip to boost your stats, but no armor or weapons (well, there's weapons, but that's treated as a style). There are no potions or temporary stat bootsers or anything. I personally find it kind of refreshing to not have to worry about restocking on items or buying all the best quipment or whatever...

The missions and dialogue and the good/evil thing are pretty much handled the same. That's the only thing that really connects it to KotOR.

Well... I"m enjoying it. Ummm.... That's all...really...


/me shrugs and walks away