"XIII- Interesting graphics and a new take"

XIII. Interesting Graphics and new take.
Everybody's probably saying, this game has really weird graphics with bad music and story. Personally, I don't think so.

General Overview
XIII is about you, who wakes up on the middle of the beach with no recollection whatsoever about yourself. Eventually, the more you progress through the story, the more you learn as you flashback in a black and white movie.

Graphics- 7/10
It's a new look and interesting. This is probably the first interactive comic (Which is really violent) that probably has ever been made. It is cel-shaded, and looks extremely similar to a comic. An extremely violent one, as mentioned before. You throw a knife or put a bullet in the head of the enemy, it doesn't just fall to the ground. It is slowly shown on the top left screen, as it happened. And the sound effects in letters make you really feel like you're in a comic. However, it isn't

Sound-9/10
This is where it gets good. The sound is beautiful. The music is suspenseful, and fits the game directly to the tune. For example, you're in an attic of a building, surrounded by your enemies and you got some jazzy music playing. It makes you extremely satisfied. However, I don't remember too much of the gun sounds, and they, in the end, I believe, is the one reason why it dropped down one notch.

AI- 9/10
This is probably the hardest game you would probably play. You shoot someone, and someone notices a body... they go set off the alarm. They're not stupid either, when it comes to shooting a sniper bullets near their head. You shoot one near their head, they notice and duck and, if they have shotguns, you're in a bit of a pickle. They shoot at you, and are alert if you suddenly pop-out, and will stay alert for a while.

Game play- 8/10
The game play is probably one of the best, but the thing that let it down would be the controls. It is hard to manoeuvre the cursor, after a person like me is used to the mouse sensitivity. But the game play is very good, learning who you are bit by bit, and finding out the truth is very satisfying. And it's hard, which is a good thing. I'm sick of people whining "Oh, it's hard, so give it a low mark because I can't finish it." Look, hardness in this game is good, because you have to use stealth as well as heavy packing guns in this game.

Weapons and Tools- 9/10
What the heck, I'll put it in. The wide variety of weapons and tools are great. You lock-pick, use a hook, blast your way through people with a AR or .44, or a 9mm or throwing knives. It's mad, and you have to try it.

General Conclusion
If you're not persuaded by this, it's okay. It's a rent then buy title, because it's a love-or-hate game mainly. If you're a newbie, rent and muck about with it. If you're serious and want a challenge, get it immediately. The controls are hard, indeed, it's a hard campaign, but it's fun all the way to the end.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 02/19/08

Game Release: XIII (EU, 11/28/03)