Jade Empire Limited Edition
Martial arts, mythology, and BioWare at the peak of their creative ambition. The Jade Empire Limited Edition for Xbox is the kind of collector's piece that represents a studio taking a risk and absolutely nailing it. This version includes an additional in-game character and weapon not available in the standard release, a G4-produced behind-the-scenes documentary, and demos for Forza Motorsport, Conker Live and Reloaded, and MechAssault 2.
The bonus character and weapon give collectors a reason to actually play this version rather than just display it, which is rarer than it should be in the world of limited editions. That G4 documentary captures the development story behind one of the most unique RPGs of the sixth console generation, and the included demos serve as a snapshot of the Xbox's strongest lineup in a single package. Jade Empire doesn't show up in Limited Edition form as often as you'd think.
It sold well at launch but never reached the ubiquity of BioWare's Star Wars work, which means fewer copies circulated and even fewer were preserved complete. The game's setting, a mythological version of ancient China rendered through Western RPG mechanics, still feels fresh in a genre that leans heavily on medieval fantasy and sci-fi. Your OG Xbox RPG shelf has room for exactly one martial arts epic, and this is it.
