I hate to be the one to tell you that, but it's true. It's a lot of fun, and if you're an Xbox owner or RPG fan, it should be in your collection. There's enough imagination, wonder, replay value, and humor packed into Jade Empire for three games.

At the same time, it's got a weird feel to it, especially as you get near the end. Jade Empire is less of a great game in its own right, and more of an amazing foundation. It sets up apocalyptic struggles, then doesn't deliver; it promises freedom and exploration, but it's surprisingly linear; and right when it feels like it's about to really get going, it's over. Jade Empire feels like it's missing about ten crucial hours.