10 Gaming Flops Much Better Than Their Reputations

Back before the capitalist talons of EA started to wreak havoc on their ideologies, Bioware was at the forefront of the western RPG movement. For a taste of their blend of captivating stories, interesting characters and well-developed worlds, there is no better example than Dragon Age: Origins and Mass Effect. But before these two titles changed the completion of video games, Bioware released Jade Empire.

Set in mythological China, Jade Empire builds on the narrative and combat ideas of Bioware's previous title, Knights Of The Old Republic and blends it with Chinese influences. From the Wuxia-inspired combat to a morality system with a lot of grey, Jade Empire is a delightful blend of traditional RPG elements and cutting-edge combat mechanics (even making the cumbersome original Xbox controller work).

Jade Empire didn't sell well though. This could have been for a multitude of reasons. The fact it was locked to PC and the original Xbox coming up to the end of its cycle is certainly a contributing factor. But I feel its setting, outside of the worlds of sci-fi and fantasy was a bit too ahead of its time. Released now, Jade Empire would be a breathe of fresh air against the dry palette of dystopias.