Jade Empire 2 - Anything in the Jade Empire Goes Forum

Topic: Jade Empire 2

Do you guys think some of the charcaters from the original Jade Empire will be returning in Jade Empire 2?And if so what charcaters do you guys think will be making a return in Jade 2?I think the only charcaters that will be returning are Kang The Mad and The Black Whirlwind.Because they're the only charcaters in the first game that survive regardless of the choice that the main charcater made.

#1 Feb 19th 2006, 10:51am . Edited by Freesourceful, Sep 07th, 11:19pm

Oh, I bet there'll be cameos! I mean, Silk Fox/Lian will probably be Empress, maybe Master Li will wander by for a haunting, Black Whirlwind - if he hasn't drunk hisself dead by then might show, and there's a whole cast of minor side-characters who will probably drop by. Sugoi!

#2 Feb 23rd 2006, 7:14pm

Speaking of Jade Empire 2 I'm not exactly sure how they're going to do this but, I think the storyline will be darker than the original which makes sense if you think about it...Because Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II had a darker storyline, Kingdom Hearts II will have a darker storyline,and Dark Cloud 3 will have a darker storyline.

#3 Mar 03rd 2006, 3:39pm . Edited Mar 03rd 2006, 3:41pm

Congrats, Triple E, you've made the 100th post on this forum! Someone, give the man a prize!

But you've made the classic error regarding KOTOR I and KOTOR II. KOTOR II wasn't done by Bioware, makers of KOTOR I and Jade Empire, and Bioware isn't especially known for dark storylines. Baldur's Gate, for instance, gets a little grittier at the beginning of SoA, but not by much, and fairly soon you are merrily on your adventuring way, kicking the buttocks of evil (or maybe being evil) without so much as a tear for your lost soul. Well, okay, maybe Imoen needs some therapy, but she's okay by ToB - didn't you see the end? =P

I would love to see some interface changes on the game in JE 2. First of all, the D-pad technique change thing didn't work for me at all. My left thumb just didn't move that fast and pausing takes away from the experience. I'd also like to see interchangeable armor. That'd rock. It's funny, because Bioware was one of the pioneers of it when that came out, but they made it a non-option in JE. Why? *shrug*

#4 Mar 03rd 2006, 4:55pm . Edited Mar 07th 2006, 1:03am

Hi all ! Greetings from the east coast!

Just felt like sticking in my 2 cents. I think they're going to run into the same problem Obsidian did with KotOR 2. There are so many possible outcomes and different variations on who survives the original that it's going to be hard to incorporate the original NPCs. Kang and Whirlwind, maybe Zin Bu, are prolly safe bets. Everybody else... it's hard to say.

Is there any word yet on a plot fo JE 2? I've been trying to figure out where they'll go with it, but there are just too many options.

PS. Thanks for pointing me this way, Dae!

#5 Mar 03rd 2006, 5:12pm

I've only played two Bioware games Star Wars : Knights of the Old Republic and Jade Empire I'm not into PC games so I don't think I'll ever play Baldur's Gate,Neverwinter Nights,or Dragon Age.(I could never get the hang of the controls for the PC games that's why I don't play them.)

#6 Mar 04th 2006, 7:24am . Edited Mar 04th 2006, 7:56am

You're very welcome, Elidi. Glad you could join us!

I'm not too certain about having cameos of your past comrades-in-arms in the sequel. However, it would be quite funky to see the Black Whirlwind and Henpecked Hou again, amongst a few other folks.

Then again, a prequel would be nice, as it could explore the events that occured before the Long Drought (either before the Sun brothers inner feuding, or during it). Related to the game-play factor, though what I'm about to suggest would irk some people, I think it would be cool if you could control various characters (who belonged to different alignments/power groups), and play out their part in the unfolding history of the Jade Empire, aka similar to the Gamecube's Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem. However, that might make the game slightly linear, but then JE is relatively similar in that regard.

Still, it's a nice thought to mull over. :-D

#7 Mar 04th 2006, 1:59pm . Edited Mar 04th 2006, 2:01pm

I think it would be cool if Wild Flower returned in Jade Empire 2 as an adult and as a romance option...I'm not sure what she should look like as an adult but...I think if the main character from the original Jade Empire chose the way of the Closed Fist...And helped the frog monster (I forgot his name.) claim Wild Flower's body I think saving her from the frog monster, should be part of the love story. I also think her attitude in Jade 2 should depend on her fate and the fate of the Empire...Meaning if the main character in the first game decided to be a hero she should, have an Open Palm attitude if the main character decided to be a villian, she should have a Closed Fist attitude.

#8 Mar 06th 2006, 5:27pm . Edited Mar 06th 2006, 5:40pm

Ooh... Having Wild Flower as an adult would ROCK! I'm not sure how they'd manage it though. They'd almost have to create two entirely different sets of dialogue for her. And if the PC chose the OP ending, I think it would be cool to give her some special powers. Having 2 demons in her mind is bound to have some long term side effects.

#9 Mar 07th 2006, 11:57am

Like Dae said - WELCOME, Elidi! Feel free to start your own thread or go introduce yourself on the main announcements topic. Always happy to hear more voices on the forum. ^____^

Anyway - my prediction is that the next game will either be a different story set in the same world but a different area (e.g. Phoenix Gate), or a game based on what happened, but much farther down the line (e.g. past the lifetime of the current cast). I especially don't see Bioware following Obsidian's "fill-in-the-blanks" move for the first game backstory like in KOTOR II, because that method seems kinda awkward, but then again, I could be wrong.

Triple E - why would you want to see Wildflower grown up? Story-wise I don't think that's a character that would be revisited. Her arc was pretty much finished.

#10 Mar 07th 2006, 3:35pm

Well an adult Wild Flower wouldn't exactly be the same character, I mean look at Star Wars Episodes I and II. Anakin is almost a completely different character in Episode II because, he went from winning a pod race to killing an entire village of Sandpeople.

#11 Mar 07th 2006, 5:41pm . Edited Mar 07th 2006, 5:41pm

That doesn't really answer the question, though since we're on the subject, Anakin had a totally deplorable character-arc, which in no way helps your argument. His motivations (aside from rampant hormones) were never deeply-developed, and his character was utterly unsympathetic. It was just a flat-out bad character. Which is sad, because James Earl Jones brought such interesting mystique to the REAL Darth Vader in the original Star Wars. (Of course, I'm one of those people who'd pretend the prequel trilogy didn't exist, if I could, so you'll have to take what I say with a grain of salt.) I do think the writers at Bioware are better than that, and would never fall to Lucas's depths.

But the idea of an adult, romancable Wildflower strikes me as kinda borderline pedophilia. @__@

#12 Mar 07th 2006, 5:53pm . Edited Mar 07th 2006, 5:54pm

If Wild Flower returned it would keep the Jade Empire series from becoming borderline Final Fantasy.

#13 Mar 07th 2006, 6:34pm

As I've never been drawn into the Final Fantasy series (plus I hate most things with anime/manga design), what exactly do you mean, Triple E?

#14 Mar 08th 2006, 6:16am

Every Final Fantasy game has a different cast of characaters if Bioware created a different cast of characters for Jade Empire 2 the series would become borderline Final Fantasy.

#15 Mar 08th 2006, 8:48am

Every Final Fantasy game has a different cast of characaters if Bioware created a different cast of characters for Jade Empire 2 the series would become borderline Final Fantasy.

Sorry to pick on you, but I think that counter-argument's really a stretch. Final Fantasy doesn't set their stories in the same universe, but it *has* had repeating cast - plus they always named their characters the same, or there's a Sid/chocobo/mog cameo, etc. And didn't the last two star the same protagonist?

Besides, Bioware really loves the in-jokes, so I'm sure there would be cameos - Kang, Zin Bu, the Water Dragon, and the Forest Shadow for instance, are immortal, so you could meet him in *any* time period - that would save the next game from becoming "borderline FF" as you so dread.

But the big reason why I think the mortal cast shouldn't and wouldn't return is because there's not much else exciting to do with them from a game developer/writer's standpoint. I mean, what you're suggesting is sheer fanservice, which is what fanfic and modifications are for, but that kind of thing doesn't come out the developer's end. I think the expansion of the Jade Empire world will be more like the Bioware D&D (Neverwinter Nights, Baldur's Gate) or say Capcom's Resident Evil games - set in the same universe but with a different cast and cameos from NPC characters. That allows for: 1) greater world-building and development 2) new styles and "looks" in terms of costume, landscape, etc. design and 3) a whole new story. All of which I'd rather see over a direct sequel.

#16 Mar 08th 2006, 10:07am

Let me ask you a question Freesourceful : What's wrong with Wild Flower returning in Jade Empire 2?I mean how does hurt the storyline,the gameplay,and the sequel as a whole?I mean Wild Flower would probaby be a different person as an adult because like Dawn Star said..."People change sometimes for the better sometimes not."

#17 Mar 08th 2006, 10:52am . Edited Mar 08th 2006, 11:10am

Don't mind me charging into the fray, but I would agree with the point it's not really a good idea to bring your former companions back into the picture. Personally, I wouldn't find it that appealing to play the sequel which features the characters we all know and love, as we're quite familiar which each of their traits and likes/dislikes. Though Obsidian was responsible for making Kotor II, I found the original characters to be fairly flat/uninteresting, as nothing much had happened over the past few years since Revan's disappearance. The same could apply to Wild Flower, or pretty much any of the Spirit Monk's followers, regardless of their age.

*dons ram horns*

Okay, people, don't crucify me - I did enjoy Kotor II, but it left me feeling somewhat cold unlike it's predecessor. :p

Besides, wouldn't it be better to start off fresh with new crew members whom neither the last Spirit Monk (and new PC) has met? I'd find it quite refreshing, as their lifestyle/career/viewpoint could vary immensely from your last party.

#18 Mar 08th 2006, 11:46am . Edited Mar 08th 2006, 11:54am

While I totally agree with you about KotOR 2 (it didn't have nearly the same emotional impact that the original did and the returning NPC were severely under-utilized), I actually think Wild Flower would be one of the few original cast member they could use as an NPC in the sequel. Having been raised from the dead and growing up with 2 demons inhabiting her body, what kind of woman would she grow into? It's bound to leave some emotional scarring. I'm neutral on the romance issue, being a straight female, but if done right she could make an interesting party member.

Personally, I think it would be good to have some of the original cast return, if only in cameos, to tie the games together. Otherwise its not so much a sequel as a completely new game.

Did that make sense?

#19 Mar 08th 2006, 11:58am

Oh, yes. Don't worry, your words were crystal-clear. ;)

Well... I think if Bioware produced a prequel (of course it would depend on the time-frame), it would be interesting to see where each character was. (i.e. the Sun Brothers and perhaps Zu - coverage of the latter might sort out the problem caused in the chronological line of events).

Moving onto the sequel featuring cameos off your old party members... that would be much better in my opinion, perhaps to add some biased feedback to the PC. However, it might be a bit of an issue sorting out the identity of the original PC. I don't want any mention of a gender-confused Spirit Monk. *giggles insanely*

Sorry, couldn't help myself. Making a game is hard, and perhaps the more critical of us shouldn't moan about such minor scripting flaws, but it was oddly amusing in Kotor II when Kreia referred to my female Exile as "him" when she was reviving Hanharr(sp?). :-D

#20 Mar 08th 2006, 12:12pm

LOL! That was my pet peeve in KotOR 2 too! They really needed a woman to test run it before it went out. My character was referred to as he or him way too many times.

I never thought about a prequel. That would be interesting... Since so much of the history was explained in the first one, I think the real trouble would be fitting in a big shocker toward the end. It would depend on the time frame, I guess. Maybe something set just before the Long Drought?

#21 Mar 08th 2006, 12:35pm

Yea, I agree that a completely unexpected twist would be needed to give the prequel a boost. I was actually thinking of something before the Long Drought, though some people might feel that enough coverage of past events was covered in the game. Perhaps another story-line running alongside the devastation caused by the Long Drought? After all, the drought did start ten years prior to the fall of Dirge - a lot can happen in ten years of hardship, i.e. riots, political unrest, otherworldly interference, etc. :p

#22 Mar 08th 2006, 1:17pm . Edited Mar 08th 2006, 1:19pm

I think if the main character from the original had chosen the neutral ending...Fighting and defeating Sun Li with the main character in Jade Empire 2 should be a part of the storyline.

#23 Mar 08th 2006, 1:17pm

It comes down to character development. Wildflower herself was not an interesting, dramatic character, although her naivete and youthfulness added balance to the original JE cast. I quite liked her, and I liked the interactions between her and Sky, and her (few) comments on the other party members, but she herself didn't generate anything interesting, or add anything dynamic to the story. Most of the time, she was too busy being the victim of one demon or another, and there was nothing special about her except that she was possessed by demons. There were no unique identifying traits, nothing beyond the supernatural possession, no super-strong personality, to make her a compelling character I'd consider worth pursuing in a sequel. Perhaps you see the opportunity there that I don't: that maybe that leaves her as a blank slate, with development potential, but in my mind, nothing in the various endings for Wildflower - OP or CF - suggest that she is going to develop into a far more interesting adult. (Either she goes crazy or becomes a normal peasant woman without demonic inhabitants.)

On the subject of KOTOR II - If people are interested in discussing this, I started a different thread on the forum for KOTOR comparisons. Just so we don't get too far off track from the JE 2 discussion here. Thanks!

#24 Mar 08th 2006, 11:56pm . Edited Mar 09th 2006, 10:27am

Skyline Stanza

Uhh...not to burst EVERYONE'S bubble, but are we even POSITIVE there is going to be a Jade Empire 2? I mean, i think Bioware announced there was no sequal/prequal ideas to the game as of October 2007.

IF there is, cameos by Dawn Star, Sky and Sun Lian the Heavenly Lily are what i hope for in the sequal. Kang was a character i didn't like so much, and i liked the Black Whirlwind to an extent. Zu was a good character, but is 'Closed Fist' comments always put me off. Wild Flower and Chai Ka were good characters, and it would be cool to see Wild Flower in the sequal. I mean, she DID get anohter chance at life if you chose the Open Palm ending.

Anywho, those are my thoughts on the Jade Empire 2.

#25 Nov 01st 2007, 3:56pm

Yes, but arguing over whether there *will* be a sequel defeats the very spirit of fans wanting to *have* a discussion about the sequel. No point being a wet blanket when we’re already all paddling off the deep end. :)

#26 Dec 03rd 2007, 11:40pm

TecKnoBLADE

I have to agree with E on this one. To see Wild Flower come back as a grown up interesting. Her character was never really delved into to deeply. Even though the demons inside her said she was a human girl ( i think its been a while since i played the game =] ) theres the possibility she could have divine or be of divine origin. Also, it would be cool to see how she would respond to the PC if they chose to save her or not, what her alliances would be, what her powers are, if she would be hot or not (haha).

there is a lot alot alot of different ways you could go with wild flower that would be cool to explore, expecially if she had to save the PC or bring down the Beuarcrecy. (just shoutin ideas) i think you could go somewhere with her, with the writers and stuff, you could pull it off and Bioware is good like that=)

#27 Dec 19th 2008, 7:08pm

Glitter-Foam

Oh my, wouldn't it be great if it were to be a sequel? But it IS kind of hard to come up with a sequel to a masterpiece, unless they wanted to bring JE1 down with an JE2...

IF they were to make a Jade Empire 2, are the voices even still here? I mean, they all had wonderful voices. It would be a shame if they ruined the charachters with new voices.

Something I have always belived, is that in JE2, you'll play a PC (of the child of, let's say Jen Zi) and meet all the others offspring, or people with some resemlance to them.

Or that it will be in another dimension, like instead of china-like, it'll be somethingother-like. But can still relate to JE in some way...

Or they'll just scrap the whole Jade Empire concept, and do another game, but with in mind that JE was it's prequel (is that the right word?) even though it wasn't. Comment, Goddamnit, Comment!

#28 Jul 27th, 3:26pm . Edited Jul 27th, 3:27pm

Bloody Dead And Sexy

I think that if they do a sequel (Please!) they could place it in Phoenix Gate. My friend and i were talking about this place that is so vaguely described and has a lot of potential.

The Main Plot: What happened in Phoenix Gate during JE time line.

Why?: This place has it's own problems.

Cameos: Crimson Khana, Both Masters that appear in Tien's Landing, Kang The Mad, The Black Whirlwind, Wild Flower.

Why?: Crimson Khana lives and is famous there, They live there, He's inmortal and left the empire after the final battle, He left the empire after the final battle, I believe that she left the empire too and she would be an enjoyable cameo.

#29 Aug 03rd, 9:30pm

I think the best support for a JE sequel is that this is an IP Bioware owns, and Bioware is a company that tends to love what it does. JE may not be the most popular title out there, but someone at Bioware loves it all the same. I'm just hanging on for that one day. Also, there is this sneaky (rumor) article on IGN:

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/843/843370p1.html

I may be spreading rumors here, but this statement from Bioware exec seems like a very STRONG HINT:

"BioWare definitely plans to continue the Jade Empire franchise. The Jade team did a great job with the first game in that series; we have great teams working on all of our games here. We've also said in the past that we're working on not just one, but two Xbox 360 titles. Enough said ; )"

~BioWare joint CEO Ray Muzkya

http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/rpg/jadeempire/news.html?sid=6139680

#30 Aug 04th, 8:02pm

Kusivirta

Quite a bit of time has passed since that Bioware statement, and i wouldn't get my hopes up simply because somebody claims to have seen the code for the 360 version. I am optimistic, though, mostly because the first game was quite important to Bioware.

Also, i came across this video which claims that the sequel is in the works, could anyone verify the info for me? I have found nothing to support it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wU_cPUIU-aY (At 3:15)

#31 Sep 07th, 8:47am . Edited Sep 07th, 8:59am

Glitter-Foam

Bioware is currently working on the sequel of Mass Effect (it's a triology, and it will be out soon), and I love that game also, so I think that I can forgive them for not creating JE2 now or in a few years.

That video was posted for quite some time, and since nothing has happened on that front then I can only assume it wasn't accurate...

#32 Sep 07th, 9:07am