Jade Empire is coming in mid-April, giving us plenty more time to overload you with information and impressions. BioWare's martial arts RPG puts KOTOR's combat system to shame. This is real-time combat using a mixture of authentic and fictional fighting styles. You can battle with your fists, weapons, or magic. With the ability to switch styles with the tap of the D-Pad, combat becomes a furious blend of all three fighting options. You may favor a weapon or a magic skill, but mixing these with hand-to-hand prowess can make you a deadly combatant.

In honor of the more than 30 fighting styles of Jade Empire, we're taking an exclusive look at some of the very best combat options available. Over the next few weeks, we'll examine a dozen styles with text and video. The first three show the diversity in combat.