Why Is There No Jade Empire 2 Yet?

[Jmustang1968]

Bioware games have been pretty lackluster lately. Seems like they're now trying to cater more to the regular Joe Blow gamers than the D&D hardcore RPG ones. Jade Empire was okay though.

I'd like to see a new Baldur's Gate.

They have said no more BG. That's basically what DA:O was. They didn't like the confines of the D&D license either. I enjoyed DA:O, the 2nd was just very mediocre.

[Yancakes]

Sounds like I'm gonna be picking up Jade Empire next time I'm out

Also, I understand them not liking the confines of D&D when they've put so much time into developing their own RPG systems. While D&D is definitely flexible enough to make a game based on their rules with modifications so heavy that it doesn't feel like D&D at all (see: Arcanum), there's no reason not to create your own system when you feel you can make one just as good.

The only reason D&D rulesets are good to base games on are because so many people already know them.

[Xeogred]

How would you guys compare Jade Empire to Bioware's other newer stuff anyways?

I'm going to assume, far more real RPG-ish than ME, and that thought kind of interests me at the moment. Unless I decide to replay ME1 again after finishing up ME3.

[isiolia]

How would you guys compare Jade Empire to Bioware's other newer stuff anyways?

I'm going to assume, far more real RPG-ish than ME, and that thought kind of interests me at the moment. Unless I decide to replay ME1 again after finishing up ME3.

Depends on how you look at it for RPG-ness. If you mean it has more complex systems, combat mechanics, etc...then no. Really, it's less so. You pick one of several premade characters, have only one "support" character with you at a given time (which you'll probably just use to sit and generate energy for you), and so on. The combat aspires to be a beat-em-up. It's not entirely mindless - there's a basic light/strong/block rock/paper/scissors system in place, and a number of different styles, weapons, and magic to acquire and utilize according to the situation - but it's generally more an action game when it comes to combat.
The "jump around like an idiot" method of defense is fairly effective.

Honestly though, while other aspects of the game might be (such as the lack of custom characters), the combat doesn't come across as trying to cater to an expanded audience so much as it just feels like Bioware felt that's what suited the setting.

Between that, you do have the typical Bioware morality choices n' all, similar to KoTOR.

In general, it's one of the last games Bioware made before they got full of themselves.
It's readily available, and cheap. If you've not given it a shot, there's really little reason not to. Might not be exactly everyone's cup of tea, but it's the original IP, trying something new, earnest effort that so many people lament the lack of these days.