Ballistics Report

Pros

Plot
An interesting plot with twists and turns and mysteries. The BioWare writers fall back on some formulas but still manage to deliver an intensely compelling experience.

Graphics
One of the best-looking games on the Xbox and a monument to how and when bloom lighting should be used.

Sound
Acceptable speech, good effects and music that blends in perfectly with the setting.

Manual combat
Though it could have been pulled off better, the idea of manual combat in an RPG is long overdue.

Setting
The Jade Empire is unique, vibrant and interesting. It is difficult for a company to create a new franchise in a new world, but BioWare has succeeded.

Presentation
Slick, polished and delivered with a bowtie. BioWare brings it all together - graphics, story, speech, music - and reveals it with perfectly timed exposition.

Cons

Shallow gameplay
The RPG aspects are very lite, the combat could have definitely been done better. The lack of sidequests, especially for party members, is really bothersome.

Good/evil Dialogue
Though the main story is written very well, parts of the dialogue - especially the YOU ARE MAKING AN EVIL CHOICE *HINT-HINT*NUDGE-NUDGE* parts could use some subtlety. Just a tad. Oh, and there must be an incentive and reason for being cruel. Most gamers aren't natural sociopaths.