The Empire strikes back

I've been playing Jade Empire and Matrix Online this weekend. Two role-playing games, but both very different. While Matrix is online only and clearly half-finished, Jade is polished and playable. Developed by Bioware, the makers of Knights of the Old Republic and Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire is a cracking role-playing game set in an Ancient Chinese environment. I'm only a few hours in, but the trademark story and graphics are all there. There isn't the depth of older Bioware titles like Baldur's Gate 2, which will disappoint the diehards, but for those interested in playing something with a more substance than your average first-person shooter than Jade Empire comes recommended. And Matrix Online? Give it a few months to get settled/finished before you jack in.