XIII

"XIII [revised]"

I've looked through some of my reviews, and I've got to say, they stink. They're short, biased and terrible. So, I'm going through each review in turn and updating them to my views now, and since this was the first review I wrote, there's no better place to start...

(By the way, any italics is part of the original review)

After surfing the internet, I found a game. That game was XIII. That was the only game I wanted (It came at a bargain of £17.99) The plot was immense and gripping, the gameplay superb. But don't listen to this introduction, read more below. Believe me, this game was fresh out when I was surfing, so grabbing it at a knock-down price of more than 50%, I had to buy it. However, I was out at my local game store yesterday and I saw the same game in the bargain bin sporting a tag of £3.75, or "Buy Two For £5." Awesome price tag, so if you haven't got it yet, why bother reading a review for it? You can pick this up for peanuts, and if you don't like it, it's only pocket change you've lost.

As I mentioned, XIII's features a fantastic plot. I don't want to bust anybody's chops at this point, so I'll refrain from any major plot revelations, but stick to the basics instead. You play XIII, an amnesia suffering man who wakes up one morning on a beach, obviously washed ashore. You can barely walk, and soon you pass out, only to reawaken at a first aid hut. Here, you're given an mysterious bank key before the entire hut comes under fire by gun-wielding thugs.
It's a whole new genre, a mystery FPS. You're being hounded by these thugs, police and your own confused mind. Did you really commit a crime to be hunted so bad? And what is the tattoo on XIII's chest all about? You have to keep playing the game to find out, and as you do, you'll savour every waking moment of the game.

XIII is a Ubisoft title, so you've got a slick FPS right here. It's not in the same league as Rainbox Six or Ghost Recon, but if anyone can make a successful shooter, it's the Ubi boys. The gameplay is top notch and unique, pushing it high up into the top contenders. You've got easy to grasp and standard controls, so it's easy to manuever in this game without too much stress of flicking through your dog-eared manual. Now, I mentioned the word "unique" earlier. What's so unique about an FPS, you may be asking, but in XIII, you can grab plenty of items as weapons. If you see a beer bottle sitting on a nearby table, grab it and whack a guard over the head with it. Or even pick up that chair and fend off attackers with it whilst you make a getaway.

What's great about this game is the comic effects. If you've got a bunch of comic books under your bed, this game is for you. The graphics are all hand-drawn and comic book styled, each with striking scenery and crisp colours. However, the reception that Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker received may prove that Cel-Shaded graphics are "kiddy" as most people have said, but I disagree. The effects are used to their full potential: if you're hiding behind a bookcase whilst guards are patrolling, you can see little boxes pop up in the corner showing him getting closer, and the words "tap...Tap...TAP..." as he approaches appear on screen. Batman lovers will be pleased that you've got the "Thwack!" as you punch the lights out of guards.

The AI is also excellent, guards will try to move away from your gun fire and if they need to reload then they will back off to some cover before popping out again. If they see you from a distance, they will walk over to investigate, and if they recognize you then expect a few bullet holes in your chest and a radio call for back-up. If you see an unsuspecting person waiting around, grab them and taken them hostage as a human shield. Great stuff.

Sound makes or breaks a game. As the music always adds tension to the game. In this case, you don't get much tension, but the sounds, surprisingly, they really do sound real. If you flat out run to get away from baddies you'll soon hear XIII panting heavily to regain his breath. However, many people hate the voice-acting, I find it okay, but David Duchovny, best known as Mulder (or was he Skully? I 'unno) who plays XIII, doesn't do the character any justice, as he sounds like he's just reading from a sheet to get through it all quickly, and he certainly doesn't win the respect of gamers.

As everyone knows, FPSs aren't notorious for their single player campaigns, but put the real goodies in the form of multiplayer mode. However, XIII feels a little rushed when it comes to this section. It's a nice little pleasing section for those who whittled away hours of their lives playing GoldenEye for the N64, but it's so much more smaller. Only a handful of rooms and weapons are available and pretty dull. You've got XBox Live to play over, but there's one problem: finding a game. Since it's a watered-down and poor man's GoldenEye, you won't find too many players, or even any. Shucks, but that's life.

Overall: 8/10

One of the greatest games ever made. A gripping story, excellent, original, unusual graphics and "some" Xbox Live compatibility. One brilliant game and a must buy for your game collection

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 02/14/04, Updated 04/03/06