Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #7569 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: UBI Soft
• Released on: 2003-11-28
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Platform: PlayStation2

Amazon.co.uk Review
As stylish a game as you'll see, XIII is a virtual testament to why you can have both style and substance under the same roof. Adopting a comic-book style throughout, from the wonderfully compiled cut-scenes through to the cel-shaded in-game graphics, it follows the adventures of agent XIII, finding him initially stranded on a beach with no memory of what went before. As the game progresses, he keeps getting flashbacks to help fill in some of the blanks, no doubt part-inspired by the number of people interested in killing him.

The gameplay itself takes the form of a first-person action-adventure, and a thumping good one at that. There's nothing particularly original about mixing in action, puzzle solving, exploration and stealth, but rarely has it all hung together as well as it does here. Put simply, XIII is a delight to play, with well-thought-through levels, generally fine enemy AI and, when the tempo is racked up, plenty of guns a-blazing and a healthy dose of tension to boot.

On the visual side, we've seen cel-shading as graphical style in games before, more often than that leading to some bland visuals once the novelty has worn off. Not so here. The level of thought and care that has gone into the look and feel of XIII is there for all to see, and for it to be married up to such a compulsively addictive game is just the icing on a really rather delicious cake.

Should you buy it? Most certainly, you should. If you don't, then the next time you lament the lack of care and adventure in your collection of games, then you really will have brought it all upon yourself. --Simon Brew

Play Magazine
"A class act that has some supremely impressive aspects. 84%."

Manufacturer's Description
XIII features a conspiracy of epic proportions, and players will unravel clues behind the story's compelling and mysterious events. The game includes themes of amnesia, in which players must uncover sinister plots against themselves, the US government, and even the president himself. The only clues players have are the roman numerals XIII tattooed on their shoulder and a key to a safe deposit box in a New York bank. A shadow of your former self, you are launched into the evil world of assassination, conspiracy and intrigue. Who are you? All you know is that the president has been shot, you are hunted by a killer, the FBI and the US army... You find out that XIII truly is unlucky for some.

This unique first-person shooter will engage gamers in an epic conspiracy and features cel-shaded graphics and unique flashback visuals. As a completely interactive graphic novel, XIII creates a visually stunning effect unique to the action genre.

Customer Reviews

The most stylish game I've ever played on the PS2.
Without doubt, this is the most stylish game I've ever played on the PS2. I bought it on a whim, having seen a 2 minute review on a TV programme which made it look fairly decent. The programme didn't do it justice - it's a top, top game. Probably the best I've played.

I'm not a particular fan of cartoons, but the "cartoony" look and feel of this game appeals to me lots. The "cell shading" is a visual feast and the split screen action (which reminds me of the TV programme "24") is excellent too.

It's a big game too, with large, complex and imaginative landscapes and buildings. It kept me busy for quite a while, and is very good value for money. And there is a good range of weapons, but not too many to confuse!

It's also quite a difficult game. You can only save at the start of each level, so you have to return to the start if you get killed. Surprisingly, this was actually a benefit to me - it allowed me to repeat levels and enjoy them again (and complete them more efficiently). There aren't many games I can say that about.

I've only just completed it, and I already want to try again from the start. Honestly this is a gem of a game, and extremely under-rated.

A damn fine game - once you get to grips with it
This review is going to give you some hints, as well as review the product.

Is it fun? Oh yeah! Who killed the President of the United States? Was it you? If not - why is everyone blaming you? And why do you have "XIII" tatooed beneath your collarbone? The story line in this latest offering from Ubisoft is very gripping.

The graphics are displayed as a comic book style, with words like "BLAM!" or "BANG!" splashed across the screen. NPCs make "tap tap tap" sounds as they walk across the screen. While this is useful if you're hiding behind a wall, it's just plain dumb when it's a friendly character you're talking to, and they're simply walking towards you.

The controls are a breeze - pretty much standard fare for those who've ever played a first-person shooter on PS2: R1 is fire, X is action, and left joystick is used for movement, with right joystick for looking.

And now here's some tips (no spoilers, I promise!): This game is actually quite hard to play at first (although you should still trust your instinct and play on "Normal" difficulty - don't wimp out for the "Arcade" difficulty level). It's of the style where you walk through a level, do something dumb, and start again. After a dozen attempts (usually where you curse yourself for doing THAT stupid move again) you make it, and move onto the next level. This can be kind of monotonous. So you need to know that the NPCs are pretty deaf. If you shoot an enemy in the courtyard - even with a shotgun - his friend 6 feet away won't notice a thing if there's a door between you both. And don't rush the game - almost every action is triggered by you walking into a zone, rather than being controlled by time. So take it easy, and explore before opening a door, or rushing into a new area - it could save your life. Also your weapons and inventory (such as health, keys, etc) aren't sustained between levels. So don't ration that healthpack man - use it when you need it, 'cos you can't take it with you! Once you get used to the feel and style of the game, you'll be hooked in, and want to keep playing, just to see what happens in XIII next.

And then, finally, what the French developers might call the "piece d'resistance": This game has network play! With a PS2 network adaptor installed, start up the game, fire up your modem or LAN, and jump into any of the online games that are running at any one time. Play deathmatch as any of the characters in the game. If you can find a few friends with this game on PS2 to play against, all the better. It's a much more satisfying experience blowing away a live opponent on-screen if you actually know who's playing at the other end.

Overall? A pretty good game, and worthy of 4 stars, but slightly let down by being so very hard to play on your first few attempts. A deep and intriguing storyline combined with internet playability make this game a definite must-purchase this year.

The Living Comic
When people first heard of 'the first cel-shaded shooter' they were skeptical of course. These types of graphics had only been used to limited success in such games as 'Black And Bruised Boxing' and the mind-numbingly crap 'Simpsons Wrestling'. But here we have a title well worth your hard-earned cash. Although you may be discouraged by the fact that it has been developed by a French company, it is still one of the best games I have ever played. The graphics are super sharp (the crossbow headshots are FANTASTIC), the enemy AI is entertaining yet not too clever as to make the game hard. There is also the fact that, when out of ammo, you can pick up seemingly harmless objects such as a chair or bottle, and smack someone over the head with it. Genius indeed. There is also an inventive and involving storyline present, including even the President himself. And it's not just weapons in this, oh no, you get the regular selection of James Bond-esque gadgets, including bombs, microphones etc. Those crazy French really have revolutionised the shooting genre. Tres bien!