Jade Dynasty
"Jade Dynasty" is a Chinese martial arts-themed MMORPG from Perfect World Entertainment. Players can play as a character in one of five factions, each with their own unique set of skills, equipment, clothing, and playstyle.
Unlike most MMORPGs, you don't pick your class at the beginning; you wait until you get to level 15. This lets you get a really good feel for what you want to be/do, and means that you're probably not going to make a ton of guys to figure out which one is the most fun.
"Jade Dynasty" also has a lot of unique features, and puts a huge emphasis on social aspects, unlike most free-to-play MMORPGs which make it seem like you're playing a single-player game!
SCROLL DOWN TO THE COMMENTS BELOW AND LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK OF THIS GAME.
- Genre: MMORPG, Fantasy, 3D, Fighting
- Area: North America / Global
- Official Site: Jade Dynasty
- Publisher: Perfect World Entertainment
- Developer: Perfect World Entertainment
- Platform: Microsoft Windows
Screenshots
Review
"Jade Dynasty", the newest game from Perfect World Entertainment, is a journey to virtual enlightenment. This free-to-play MMORPG is based off of the Internet novel, "Zhu Xian," and is the English release of one of China's most popular MMORPGs.
The game is based on Zen and martial arts. However, with this rich cultural foundation, the concept is far more interesting than the practice in game. Combat is relatively bland in low levels. Basically, you either kill the enemy in one hit, or you get killed, neither of which leave you feeling particularly heroic or enlightened. The story is on the dry side, as well, and the dialogue of the characters -- which easily could have added an element of mystery, intrigue, and eloquence -- includes none of the above.
Yet what the game lacks in plot, dialogue, and combat, it makes up for in convenience, aesthetics, and the intriguing theme of enlightenment. It is clear that the majority of attention went into aesthetics, not the storyline. "Jade Dynasty" creates an absolutely gorgeous backdrop for killing stuff, coupled with tranquil and soothing music to add just the perfect edge to slicing a beast in half with a sword. The artwork is detailed and beautiful, and the music shows the meticulous care that went into the making of the game.
The enlightenment theme is apparent from the beginning. All players begin in the same fashion, and choose their preferred skills progressively as they level, as opposed to games where you pick a class in the beginning and get limited options. You also have the opportunity to pick a faction after your character proves itself with required quests. There are five factions, two of which are good, and three which are evil. Each faction has a separate skill set, like close-range combat or healing. Here, you see the theme of personal growth and enlightenment, as your character grows up to decide whether it feels like being a rebellious teenager or a good kid.
My favorite part of the game is the aspect of convenience. You don't have to wander aimlessly around to find stuff, have years of experience with the game, or have any map reading skills whatsoever to get along. You can do perfectly fine as a directionally-challenged noob, like me. When you receive a quest, all you have to do is click the highlighted words, and the character goes on auto-run to the location of the quest. When you're done, click the name of the quest giver, and you're automatically on your way back. It's a beautiful thing.
Other convenient things include a full marketplace that you can access anywhere, the ability to update your skills without traveling to anyone, and the cost and worth of all items that you pick up displayed without going to the marketplace. These are things that require mods in many other games, but they are all included with "Jade Dynasty."
The social aspect of "Jade Dynasty" is also stronger than in some other MMORPG's. There is a full social network which you can access at any time, as long as you have a few copper to buy rice paper. And, if your journey to enlightenment requires forgiveness, you can restore your reputation in-game by buying products to take away from your infamy rating. Money can't buy happiness, but apparently it can buy friends and a good reputation.
"Jade Dynasty" is a unique game with some intriguing elements. It may not bring you to enlightenment in real life, but at least it can give you the option of feeling good about yourself while you're gaming.
Review AlyssaChoiniere
October 9, 2009
Review
The game has a very unique storyline, the book Zhu Xian is actually one of my favourite book. However, from playing the game i can clearly tell that the plot element was destroyed. However, the aesthetics does clearly make up for those missing components. Zhu Xian was famous not from the game but from the book. People don't really care about the plot as they read the book, so therefore perfect world probaly used the amazing grahpic to generate this mystic feeling.
Claud <3, on August 24th 2009 06:07 pm
Some people don't really concentrate on the story of the game. So far after playing this for awhile i really enjoy it. Also the ability to bot as a game feature is excellent for those who may be busy but still want their character to level. Got rid of botting problems ha.
Pensato, on August 18th 2009 03:51 am
Looks awsome lets see how it runs on my laptop (regular IBM thinkpad model T41) ive never heard of the game but ive read the book and looks like a rappelz/guildwars/perfectworld/and alot of ESO (ether saga online)a good combo for looks and play. But i need to expirience the game . downloading now.
Ayameru aka DarkPoet , on August 13th 2009 10:05 am
When will they stop making games that look just like Perfect World xD It wasnt even their original game it was Cubizones yet they always take all the ideas from it and add it to their own games... This is a good and fun game, way too overpowered when you start with that attack skill but one cant complane about that too much ^_~ but I just wish these guys used their OWN ideas. Makes it boring to see so many identical things xD
FFXI-Lakshmi-Crage, on July 25th 2009 09:41 pm
Hot Games
Wizard101
"Wizard101" is a casual MMORPG that resembles Harry Potter meets Yu Gi Oh.
Dragonica Online
"Dragonica Online" is a 3D sidescrolling action-MMORPG.
Secret of the Solstice
"Secret of the Solstice" is a new MMORPG with an old-school look.
Wind Slayer
"WindSlayer" is a 2D sidescrolling MMO similar to "Maple Story."
Mir2
An old-school action MMORPG, and one of the most popular of all time in Asia.
Top 10 MMO Games
Runes of Magic
"Runes of Magic" is one of the top two or three f2p MMORPGs in the world.
Atlantica Online
Atlantica is the best free MMORPG. Explore, fight in locations around the world
Dragonica Online
"Dragonica Online" is a 3D sidescrolling action-MMORPG.
Mir2
An old-school action MMORPG, and one of the most popular of all time in Asia.
Gates of Andaron
"Gates of Andaron" is a fantasy MMORPG with unique faction vs faction warfare.
Twelve Sky 2
”Twelve Sky 2” is a popular free-to-play martial arts MMORPG.
Dark Orbit
"Dark Orbit" is a browser based space MMO, and one of the best.
Last Chaos
"Last Chaos" has some of the best graphics in the free-to-play MMORPG market.
Free Realms
”Free Realms” is a f2p MMO from SOE with tons of things to do.
Soul of the Ultimate Nation
"Soul of the Ultimate Nation" is a fast-paced free MMO with an awesome story.
Great site. Keep doing.,
Seveandra, on October 12th 2009 04:15 am