2K Games has announced that "Jade Empire: Special Edition" has been shipped and is now available in North American retail stores. The game will be available internationally on March 2nd.

"Developed by BioWare, Jade Empire: Special Edition is an award-winning action-RPG that delivers an incredible story-driven game play experience with stunning high-resolution graphics and controls optimized for the PC.

In the ancient, mysterious world of the Jade Empire, players choose to act as a noble hero or treacherous villain by following the path of the "Open Palm" or the "Closed Fist." Players will face powerful human and supernatural foes, learn magical martial arts and weapons styles, and discover the darkest secrets of the world. Jade Empire: Special Edition engages users with its rich story line and optimizes the gaming experience for PC gamers with an additional difficulty level, graphical upgrades, enhanced resolution and new content exclusively for the PC. In addition, the PC version features an exclusive art book and poster.

Jade Empire: Special Edition, rated "M" for Mature, is now available for $39.99 in retail stores. Jade Empire: Special Edition is also available for purchase online and can be downloaded from major digital distribution sites including the BioWare Online Store, Steam, Direct2Drive and other online retail sites in the Macrovision/Trymedia network. The BioWare Online Store also offers the Jade Empire Fan Pack which includes the Jade Empire: Special Edition digital download, the award-winning soundtrack by famed composer Jack Wall, and a Jade Empire mouse pad."

Keep checking back with 2404 in the coming days as we'll have a Jade Empire review posted soon.

Update: New screenshots in the game's gallery.