Xian Jian Qixia Zhuan (Chinese Paladin)

About 8 years ago or even more, I was hooked on a chinese RPG game.
The story was one of the best I ever encountered and yet it wasn't too complicated as in the style where nowadays shown on the Final Fantasy Series.

The name was Xianjian Qixia Zhuan and it was installed on the root directory [PAL] (now I realised it stands for 'Paladin').In total I completed the DOS edition twice and without an FAQ. It's also the only RPG I actually tried to complete.

A few years back I got my hands on the New Windows version but it didn't really make much of an impact as it was before. Also there's problem playing it as I got kicked out at EXIT point of one map. After a long time, the sequel was released but it didn't live to expectation. Another gaming sequel and a side story edition based on it and an Online version was made available.

And Now. The TV drama series.

In a strange way, it's another title picked up because of nostalgia.
And it also features Nu Wa and Fu Xi.Such coincidence.

Anyway I was glad and sad on picking up the TV series.

For one thing, they made Li Xiaoyao into something rather repulsive. I really like the character in the game but in the Tv....he is just a rotten hooligan?

Casting are really the Young and Beautiful. Hu Ge (playing Li Xiaoyao) might have crooked teeth but why not?It's not like heroes in the past gets excellent dental services like we does. Cameos and support roles are played by known veteran in their own sake (Sam Lee, Xu jinjiang, Zheng Peipei, Loletta Lee and etc).Also Channel U artiste, Bryan Wong got a rather prominent role at the begining stage and he is joined by Gou Liang and Fu Fangling.

Story wise, quite a bit of changes was done.For one ,the plot of the sequel to the Original Game cannot be followed because Xiaohu is demoted to be a sidekick of Xiaoyao and one of the same age. He also happens to be played by Sam Lee. There's also Time Traveling in this drama....it didn't happened in the game either. The director tried to include certain scenes from the game. While rather strange, it's nice to know he did his best to smuggle some minor details from the game puzzles and gameplay.

So far I am at episode 8.

Visual effects are definately better than MDwaV III but you can tell it has a bigger budget. Costumes are rather well-made and brings out the character personality. The logic of Martial Art skill is however irrelevant. Li Xiaoyao's ability to fight is straightly progressive with the storyline without any explaination.Kind of like in the same way as an RPG character would and it sucks because his ability isn't governed by Levels. He could be like Level 18 at episode 7 but he jumps Level 21 at episode 8 althought all he did was teasing Yue-ru. Or teasing gals is actually a way of raising experiences?

The comedy value is up here. It's suppose to be a pop idol Wuxia drama but not of the Jin Yong kind so the seriousness isn't there.

Total 38 episodes. If you are interested, maybe wait for the dvd edition or for Channel U. I believe it will on free local channel within this year or the next.

Here's the site to go to look for more info (Drama edition Game package)