BioWare’s Jade Empire is the company’s follow-up to its groundbreaking Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. Borrowing much of the RPG template the studio used in KOTOR, Jade Empire marks the first original IP from the studio following its work on games taking place in the Dungeons & Dragons and Star Wars universes. The title was originally released in 2005 as an Xbox exclusive, complete with publishing from Microsoft Game Studios. An enhanced edition of Jade Empire was later released for the console, as well as a Special Edition of the game collecting all available content for PC in 2007.
Like the studio’s other games, Jade Empire wound up being a critical darling, earning plenty of praise for its innovative blend of real-time combat mechanics with deep and rewarding RPG systems. Despite the critical success, though, Jade Empire would only sell just over 500,000 units, making it one of the lowest-selling games in the BioWare catalog. The game is often viewed as a cult classic and one of the best games on the original Xbox, with many fans still holding out hope for BioWare to return to the franchise nearly 20 years later.
Jade Empire Premise
©Jade Empire gameplay screenshot – Original
The story of Jade Empire puts players into the titular world, a fictional recreation of Ancient China along with significant influence from Chinese mythology. Players get to create and then control the game’s hero, The Last Spirit Monk, taking them on an epic journey to the Imperial City, the afterlife, and back. Along the way, players will meet the world’s various inhabitants and make choices that affect how they are perceived and welcomed throughout the empire. Players can track the impact of these choices using a morality slider similar to the ones used in other BioWare titles like Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic or Mass Effect, with the many choices that the player makes impacting their dialogue options, story segments, or physical appearance.
In terms of gameplay, Jade Empire is more akin to an action RPG than a traditional turn-based one. Players control their player character in real-time, executing button commands to fight enemies using a deep and rewarding combat system involving martial arts, weapon attacks, and magic. Defeating enemies earns players experience and style points, which they can then spend on improving characters’ stats and acquiring new martial arts abilities. Though players start with one specific style of their choosing when creating a character, Jade Empire allows players to regularly learn new styles and improve their technique by enhancing existing ones.
Jade Empire Main Characters
©Jade Empire concept artwork – Original
Like every other BioWare game, Jade Empire is an RPG with a heavy emphasis on player choice and story. Players begin the game by choosing one of 6 avatars to use as their player character, with their choices and actions throughout the story impacting how others act and react to you, as well as influencing changes within the game’s world. Joining the player character is a long list of support allies as well as a colorful cast of villains in Jade Empire’s rich and captivating world of Eastern mythology. The main characters in Jade Empire include:
- Spirit Monk: The player character and main hero of Jade Empire. Players can choose from one of 6 different archetypes, further developing the “Last Spirit Monk” by choosing to adhere to a specific martial arts style and completing actions that align with their philosophy — the morally good “Way of the Open Palm” or the morally dark “Way of the Closed Fist”.
- Master Li: Sun Li, otherwise known as Master Li, is the player character’s sifu (master) and guardian. He is the brother of the former Emperor Sun Hai and is eventually revealed to be the game’s primary antagonist.
- Dawn Star: Dawn Star is a close friend of the player character and ends up becoming one of the Spirit Monk’s closest followers and allies. She is secretly the daughter of Emperor Sun Hai and is a martial artist of great skill.
- Water Dragon: The Water Dragon is an immortal spirit and the player’s guide throughout the events of Jade Empire. The ultimate choice that players need to make at the game’s conclusion directly connects to the fate of the Water Dragon.
Games in the Jade Empire Series
Despite reports to the contrary, BioWare and Electronic Arts have yet to revive the Jade Empire series. A filing for a trademark back in 2019 seemed to suggest that the developer and publisher were gearing up for something related to the franchise, but those plans never materialized. Aside from the original game releasing on Xbox and then receiving an update via the PC Special Edition, there have been no games in the franchise outside the original Jade Empire. For many BioWare fans, Jade Empire remains one of the most-requested series for the developer to return to, sitting alongside both Mass Effect and Dragon Age as some of the studio’s greatest work. Games in the Jade Empire series include:
- Jade Empire (Xbox, 2005)
- Jade Empire: Special Edition (PC, 2007)
Jade Empire Cheats & Secrets for PC and Xbox
While the Xbox version does not have any official cheats, there are several secrets for players to uncover during their time with Jade Empire. Additionally, the PC version (Jade Empire: Special Edition) has several cheats available through the use of a cheat engine and cheat trainer file.
Jade Empire Secrets
Dragonfly Mini-Game
Select “Attack” between each chapter and complete the Dragonfly missions to unlock the Dragonfly mini-game at the main menu.
Alternate Title Screen
After beating Jade Empire once, players will unlock an alternate title screen.
Bonus Dialogue
Beat the game and watch the credits all the way to the end to hear extra dialog from various characters.
Regain Health
If you are running low on health in battle, hold B (block) and hold White (heal) to heal yourself without receiving damage from enemies. Note that this does still drain Chi energy.
Players can also use a clever workaround to gain some health back. Use up all your Spirit (health) and Focus and then unequip any items granting a stat bonus. Re-equipping these items will restore a little Spirit and Focus each time. Repeat this process as necessary to regain health in a pinch.
Unlock All Endings in One Playthrough
Players can view all three different endings on a single save file. Save just before the final choice in the game. After selecting one option and viewing the ending, simply reload the save file and select the other options to view the different endings.
Easy Money in Mid-to-Late Game
Instead of selling essence gems to the Magical Abacus or random merchants, save them until you reach the Imperial City. Make your way to the Arena and fight through the ranks until Lucky Cho and Sweet Poison Lyn make you an offer. After either refusing or accepting, sell your gems to the poisoner. She will pay twice the amount for the gems that the Abacus will pay. This is an extremely useful tactic to make a lot of money.
Enhanced Weapon Upgrades
You can find enhanced weapons when playing as Dawn Star, Silk Fox, or Whirlwind. They appear in chests in their respective levels. For the girls, run down to the fountain in that area and a chest will appear on the far side when you get close enough. Whirlwind’s weapon is near a wall. These upgrades significantly increase your deadliness in those scenarios.
Damage Shield
In the Imperial City, at the Black Leopard school, you can choose to side with one of the two masters. You will be confronted by each of them with both telling you to kill the other. Regardless of which one you defeat, you will get a “Damage Shield”. This item surrounds you in a shield that significantly reduces incoming damage.
Crimson Tears
Climb through the ranks in the Imperial City Arena until you reach the Bronze Division. When Cho asks you to poison Crimson Khana, refuse his request. After, find Crimson Khana and tell her about the attempt on her life. After you defeat her in the Arena she will teach you the Crimson Tears dual-sword style.
The Gaze of the Lion
Instead of destroying the altar in Li’s house, take the coin you get from it. Go around back to the old master’s tomb. Put the coin in the bowl and get the Lion Medallion. Take the token back around to the statue and place it in the lion’s mouth. Then, use the statues to make the correct color combinations. You will receive “The Gaze Of The Lion” Mantra.
Gambling Accident
When at the Arena, talk to the gambler and play a game. If you manage to win twenty times in a row, he will explode. Additionally, winning more than 5,000 silver causes him to stop gambling with you.
Shadow Creature
Play with any character following the Path Of The Closed Fist. Stand still for a while and watch your shadow to see it grow tentacles.
Lotus Assassins
When trying to become part of the Lotus Assassins, you can be tough as needed while trying to get in. If you are following the Path Of The Open Palm, it will not count against you.
Ghost
When you are at Tien’s Landing and are about to close the dam, there is an orphanage in one of the corners before you enter the quarry. When you get the old caretaker from the tavern to go back and bury the bones of the children, there will be a ghost in the background as he is speaking. It will be by the back wall. When he finishes speaking, the ghost will disappear.
Ice Shard Style
While training to be a Lotus Assassin, talk to the woman that you replace to be a trainer. See what she has for sale. In her wares, she has the Ice Shard Style. Buy it and you can control fire and ice. Or, if you already control ice, you will gain the ability to use fire.
Paralyzing Palm Style
When you visit the Black Leopard School at the Imperial City, you will fight four students. Defeat them and you will talk to the first brother. Agree to join the school and support the Open Palm Master. You will end up fighting the Closed Fist Master. Afterward, the Open Palm Master will teach you Paralyzing Palm and give you the items that the Closed Fist Master promised you.
Defeat Blocking Enemies
For enemies who continue to block after every time you break their shield, simply jump behind them and use a normal combo at their back. This will send them falling forward. They will start attacking again but eventually will start blocking. Repeat this as necessary to break their defenses.
Jade Empire Boss Strategies
Defeating Sun Li
Before fighting the final battle with the Glorious Strategist on your second trip to the Imperial Palace, check in with the Magical Abacus. He will have three books for sale. One will add +50 Health, another +50 Chi, and the third will add +50 Focus. Each book costs 50,000 Silver but can provide an extra edge to defeat Sun Li. Additionally, towards the end of the game, you will obtain a power called Jade Golem. It is very strong but uses a lot of Chi. Work up Spirit evenly throughout the game, and when you get the Jade Golem, apply the stat that makes it not use as much Chi and max it out.
Head to Dirge and then back to the palace. When you face Sun Li, freeze him (if you started with Ice Shard or bought it from the Lotus trainer). Repeatedly use your X button attack to quickly drain his health. Using this method he should lose anywhere from 25% to 50% of his health. Having Chi Strike active will cause him to lose more health. Repeat this process to easily defeat him.
Defeating the Ravenger
Start by blocking all of his incoming attacks. When you see him turn blue and hold his axes up, quickly roll beside him and attack him with a combo. Then, switch back to block and repeat. He should not do the three-step combo he has, because every time he sees the shield, he should go for his strong attack. This will give you time to roll around him and perform a combo. He may also try and perform an area attack, which you can effectively block and then land a few hits before defending again.
Jade Empire Configurations
Configurations are special recipes that players can uncover throughout the world of Jade Empire. By putting these recipes into Lord Lao’s Furnace, players can unlock several excellent Techniques or Gems that grant a distinct advantage. After obtaining all other Configurations, players have the choice between the Configuration of the Goat or Rat as their final recipe.
Configuration of the Dragon
Location: Chapter 3, Market District. Enter the tunnel just past the entrance to the Heart of the Empire Tavern, follow it to the end, and open the container.
Fuel: A Vial of Sulfurous Water
Fuel Location(s): Buy from Zin Bu; receive from Kang after flying his first mission after you reach Ch.
Contraptions: Whirling Cogs, Cranking Cauldron
Button: Tiger
Reward: Technique, A Mountain Within (+5 to Body)
Configuration of the Goat
Location: Given by Kang after completing his third flying mission, the Spirit Journey. Ask him afterward if he knows any further configurations.
Fuel: Eyes of the Void
Fuel Location(s): Given by Kang after completing his third flying mission, the Spirit Journey. Ask him afterward if he knows any further configurations.
Contraptions: Whirling Cogs, Conductor, Water Wheel
Button: Tiger
Reward: Technique, Harmony of Balance (+3 to Body, Spirit and Mind)
Configuration of the Horse
Location: Chapter 2, Pirate Workshop building, northeast corner scroll stand; Chapter 3, Golden Way, Ministry Hostel chest
Fuel: Cow Bezoar
Fuel Location(s): Buy from Zin Bu; Lord Lao’s Furnace, southern container; Chapter 2, Tien’s Landing, Merchant Shipeng after closing the Dam; Chapter 3, Necropolis, after freeing Merchant Bai.
Contraptions: Cranking Cauldron, Conductor, Clapper Chimney, Water Wheel
Button: Tiger
Reward: Technique, Song of the Spirit (+5 to Spirit)
Configuration of the Ox
Location: Lord Lao’s Furnace, southern container.
Fuel: A Vial of Sulfurous Water
Fuel Location(s): Buy from Zin Bu; receive from Kang after flying his first mission after you reach Chapter 3.
Contraptions: Clapper Chimney, Water Wheel
Button: Dragon
Reward: Gem, Spirit of the Master (+25% to magic style damage)
Configuration of the Rabbit
Location: Chapter 3, scroll stand in the Lotus Assassin Fortress.
Fuel: Cow Bezoar
Fuel Location(s): Buy from Zin Bu; Lord Lao’s Furnace, southern container; Chapter 2, Tien’s Landing, Merchant Shipeng after closing the Dam; Chapter 3, Necropolis, after freeing Merchant Bai.
Contraptions: Whirling Cogs, Conductor, Clapper Chimney
Button: Dragon
Reward: Gem, Heaven’s Blessing Gem (Open Palm Only, surrounds you in a wind barrier that damages all opponents who attack you as long as it is equipped)
Configuration of the Rat
Location: Given by Kang after completing his third flying mission, the Spirit Journey. Ask him afterward if he knows any further configurations.
Fuel: Eyes of the Void
Fuel Location(s): Given by Kang after completing his third flying mission, the Spirit Journey. Ask him afterward if he knows any further configurations.
Contraptions: Cranking Cauldron, Whirling Cogs, Clapper Chimney, Water Wheel
Button: Dragon
Reward: Gem, Strength of the Bull (+25% to martial style damage)
Configuration of the Snake
Location: Chapter 3, Scholar’s Garden, scroll stand in the first northern room coming from The Golden Way.
Fuel: A Bar of Nickeled Iron
Fuel Location(s): 1) Ch. 2, Tien’s Landing, container just west of the Tea House; Chapter 3, Market District, Blacksmith’s shop on the southern end.
Contraptions: Cranking Cauldron, Conductor, Clapper Chimney
Button: Tiger
Reward: Technique, Calm as the Morning Breeze (+5 to Mind)
Configuration of the Tiger
Location: Chapter 3, Market District, accept Jinlin’s quest on the north side after receiving the Lotus Assassin invitation, then complete her quest in the Necropolis.
Fuel: A Bar of Nickeled Iron
Fuel Location(s): Chapter 2, Tien’s Landing, container just west of the Tea House; Chapter 3, Market District, Blacksmith’s shop on the southern end.
Contraptions: Whirling Cogs, Conductor
Button: Dragon
Reward: Technique, The Quieted Mind (+30 to Focus)
Jade Empire: Special Edition Cheat Engine Cheats
PC players can utilize any number of different cheat engines to allow cheats in Jade Empire: Special Edition. There are many cheat trainer files (including one available here), each of which offers some variation of the following cheat codes:
- Infinite Health
- Infinite Chi
- Infinite Focus
- Infinite Gold
- Infinite Style Points
Jade Empire Cheat FAQs
Who is the strongest character in Jade Empire?
There are a total of 6 starting characters in Jade Empire, each of whom adheres to one of the game’s four attributes: Balanced, Fast, Magic, and Strong. The only of these characters who starts as Strong is Tiger Shen, making him the strongest starting character. As a Strong character, Tiger Shen has the highest Body stats, allowing him to dish out and withstand more punishment than other choices.
What is the best starting weapon in Jade Empire?
While the idea of a “best” starting weapon is subjective, it’s hard to argue against the Longsword in Jade Empire. This weapon has a great balance of positive attributes with very few drawbacks, if any. As a result of its versatility and balance, the Longsword is arguably the best weapon to start with in Jade Empire.
What is the fastest style in Jade Empire?
Of all the different martial arts styles in Jade Empire, the fastest is Thousand Cuts. Thousand Cuts focuses on dealing as many blows as possible in quick succession. Though each blow does not deal much damage individually, the sheer flurry of attacks is quite capable of overwhelming foes.
How long to beat Jade Empire?
As far as RPGs go, Jade Empire is relatively short. An average playthrough of the game takes anywhere from 17-20 hours. Similarly, 100% completionist playthroughs of Jade Empire are fairly reasonable. Most players report spending between 30-32 hours to fully complete the game.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Jade Empire key art.