Jade Empire

There's an above-average Kung Fu film in the make. Occasional Particle Illusion® style magic/special-effects (depending on your point of view); with plenty of violence involving four/five people at a time, with the occasional growling were-beastie that really needs a good kicking.

Premise: sort of like Mortal Kombat, but with mulitple fighting styles - per person - and hopefuly better plot.

Actually, it's probably not that difficult to get better plot than MK1, so that only counts as one. Anyway.

Turns out: it's funded and even constructed by some crazy-heads that have semi-recently been involved in the Star Wars franchise. AND they want you - yes, YOU - to be in it. Imagine being in your own Kung Fu film! That teaches you more moves along the way!

It's name: Jade Empire.

Looking just like a healthy dose of fresh air, chi-building and ass-smashing; the newest technical foray from Bioware (responsible for the first KOTOR) shows those proper monkies who made Kung Pow: Enter The Fist a thing or two!

Despite the fact I for one might quite enjoy rucking with an angry cow...

The combat-system makes in-depth use of "combo-stringing", much like any other recent fighter you can think of. Fortunately, J.E. takes the idea astep further with it's "Harmonic Combos", which are a way to place individual special-moves into a sequence, knocking your opponent about faster and harder!

Lets hope that J.E. doesn't have:

1. (overall) slack fighting-mechanics;
2. The same f*k*n badly dubbed lectures from completely different people;
3. (approximately) seventeen sequels - Dynasty Warriors, anyone?
4. Badly implemented "Blood 'n' Guts" (© Nick Sizer 2005)

because I need another clean "fighter" like I need two more feet. I trip over them as it is...

Whilst i'm still thinking: involving a mystical/weirdey spiritual element (à la Spirited Away or the "Naruto" series) wouldn't go amiss either.
Perhaps I should have been on the developement team...

1 "Your fighting style is: Paralysing Palm."

"Masters of Paralyzing Palm have a relatively light touch compared to other fighters, but only because they focus on goals more subtle than mere damage. Blows precisely target the nerves governing major muscle groups, disrupting energy flow instead of injuring tissue. The effect can be devastating, leaving an opponent helpless despite their health." c.o. http://www.microsoft.com/games/jadeempire/microsite/index.htm @ approx. Summer 2005.