XIII – XB – Review

It’s not rare to see a
game based on comic book characters but it is certainly rare to see one based on
an obscure French graphic novel . . . especially one that has an intricate
storyline with plot twists aplenty.  XIII, though, has received much attention
for its visual style.  While cel-shading is not a new concept for video games
(see Auto Modellista for the PS2 or Jet Set Radio Future for the Xbox), it is
definitely new to the first-person shooter genre.  Will this unique look make
this game an altogether new first-person shooter experience?  

The game’s story involves
a secret operative who finds himself waking up with a bullet wound in the sandy
shores of Brighton Beach with no recollection of what happened to him or who he
really is for that matter.  All he knows is that he has the Roman numeral
thirteen tattooed on his body and that he might have been the man who
assassinated the President of the United States as he waved to the crowds in his
motorcade.  And then comes the men with guns who are hunting him mercilessly as
he goes about his quest for survival as well as the truth behind what really
happened that fateful day he was shot and who really killed the President.
Number Thirteen soon finds out that all is not as it seems and as his memory
begins to return to him, truth becomes a living nightmare.

If the game’s plot sounds
familiar it shares a resemblance to the film The Bourne Identity and is inspired
in part by the assassination of John F. Kennedy (there’s even a Robert
Kennedy-like figure who sets out to take his slain brother’s place in the White
House).  While the storyline is quite interesting, the way it unravels is the
game’s most unique feature.  Slowly, Number Thirteen recovers memories you get
to play out during the middle of the game’s action.  At one point the main
character remembers the bank he last visited and, at the last minute, remembers
he rigged up the safe deposit box with explosives.

For a first-person shooter
the game’s story works decently enough, but the genre has always been about the
shooting and you will certainly get into many gunfights with various shady
killers sent out to finish you off.  Your arsenal list is plentiful and you can
use anything from various machine guns, shotguns, a crossbow and even throwing
knives.  There are also times when killing is not an option so breaking a chair
over somebody’s head will get you through a situation.  Thankfully the action
moves along smoothly and the game’s unique comic book style points out enemies
through comic book panels.  Enemies even die through panels as well, offering a
very visible Nooooo! as they scream.

Your adventure takes you
through variously different locales; each filled with intense and unique
moments.  At one point you’re underwater or taking on secret government
helicopters using a bazooka.  The enemies are pretty sly and can put up a real
challenge.  There’s a problem, though, with the enemy AI.  They all seem to be
alerted way too quickly and–in many cases–already seem to know when you’re
coming before you’re even through the door.  To make things worse, they also
seem to shoot way too accurately.  There are also areas that require stealth,
something Number Thirteen just doesn’t do successfully.

Unfortunately, the game is
also on the short side and this is the most disappointing aspect of the game
since that action is quite addictive and fun.  No worries, though, because the
game offers multiplayer action fit for up to four players and an option to play
this one through the Xbox Live service.  Online, you can choose from four
different multiplayer game types: Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, Capture the Flag
and an Xbox exclusive mode called Sabotage Mode.   Sabotage has gamers
scrambling to defend an area from other players that attempt to set explosives
on said area.  This isn’t anything new but it’s too fun that gamers will be
grateful that it’s there for the offering.

Visually, the game set out
what it meant to do in the first place . . . offer beautifully rendered graphics
that resemble a uniquely drawn graphic novel.  The cel-shaded characters are
just quite stunning and watching them move or get killed in bloody ways is
welcome change.  Thanks to this nod to the comic book style, XII is a very
visual game with a lot to look at and interact with during the action.  While
the environments can sometimes be a bit plain, the various effects make this one
a really eye-catching Xbox game.

The sound is composed of a
wonderfully retro score that just works perfectly with the game’s theme and
style.   Its soundtrack is tinged with a 60s groove as well as dramatic tones
during the game’s cut scenes that introduce the game’s more shadowy characters.
There’s also great voice acting from David Duchovny (Agent Mulder from the
X-Files), Adam West (from the campy Batman television series) and Eve (hip-hop
artist turned actress).  The sound effects, though, feel overshadowed by both
the soundtrack and voice work.  You’ll the footsteps coming from the next room
but its somewhat muffled.  Gunfire is almost the same way as well.  While you’ll
hear the distinct sounds each weapon makes, it’s hardly loud enough.

While it’s not as highly
innovative as it was meant to be, XIII on the Xbox is still an addictive
action-noir first-person shooter with a lot of style.  There is plenty to like
about this game even though its not quite perfect but its good qualities just
outshine those little things that hold this one back from perfection.  Fans of
the first-person shooter genre will certainly get a kick by this game’s action
and comic book style.  Do not miss this game–you’ll hate yourself if you did.

#Reviewer’s Scoring Details

Gameplay: 8.5
Whether it’s shooting a crossbow
bolt straight into an enemy’s forehead or smashing a chair across a
trigger-happy security guard’s head, the game’s controls are rather smooth and
easy to get into.  Thanks to the game’s visual style, you’ll often know when
enemies are coming thanks to the TAP TAP TAP words that appear when they
approach a corner or closed door.  My only complaint is that the game is quite
short.

Graphics: 9.2
Aside from the unusual storytelling
style of the game’s narrative, the other distinguishing feature the game
possesses is its wonderful cel-shaded visuals.  The character models look
stunningly beautiful in motion and the cut scenes unfold in true graphic novel
fashion.  Really, it’s like watching an interactive comic book come to life
before your very eyes.  The environments, while diverse, can be a bit on the
plain side but this is really not a complaint since the action moves fluidly and
the comic book styled effects add something new and fresh to the genre.

Sound: 8.2
As for the sound, the game’s music
is quite catchy in that retro 60s sort of way and works well with the game’s
many cut scenes.  Complimenting the good soundtrack is the voice acting that
sees recognizable talent behind the voices.  David Duchovny and Adam West are
both quite excellent, although it would have been great to hear more of Duchovny
throughout the game rather then just during the cut scenes.  Still, these two
audio features make up for the fact that the sound effects are rather muted in
this game.

Difficulty: Medium
The game’s most glaring fault
happens to be the enemy AI, which make up most of the game’s biggest
challenges.  Oftentimes gamers will find that the enemies you encounter are
already wise to you and know when you’re coming.  This gives the enemy an unfair
advantage and makes stealth a rather useless trait for Number Thirteen to have
since enemies automatically seem to sense your presence even from afar.  The
final boss fight also seems ridiculously too hard to get through.

Concept: 8.5
Much deserved praise should go to
the good folks at Ubisoft for taking a chance on such a unique twist in the
first-person shooter genre.  While much of what we see here is not
groundbreaking, it is certainly very different from what we’re use to seeing in
this particular genre.  The fact that the plot is surprisingly original despite
its two main influences (the comic book and the Matt Damon film “The Bourne
Identity”) and that the action is seen through comic book panels, this is a game
tried to be original and succeeded.  We’re also grateful for the multiplayer
option and the ability to download extra via the Xbox Live service.

Multiplayer: 8.0
While the PS2 version has online
multiplayer fun available, the Xbox version gets an exclusive Sabotage Mode.
The four modes in total (Capture the Flag, Sabotage, Deathmatch and Team
Deathmatch) can be played online using the Xbox Live service or played on
separate Xbox consoles using the System Link cables.  You can even create your
own match and invite up to three other friends for a four-player match.  While
there’s nothing really unique found here, the game gives you plenty of
characters and maps to face each another off.

Overall: 8.2
XIII is one of those rare games that
are not quite innovative but has enough truly wonderful qualities to make this
an interesting and entertaining experience that shouldn’t be missed.  While it’s
a wonderfully visual game, gamers will appreciate its solid first-person shooter
action and the fact that the game hasn’t dismissed the Xbox Live crowd.
Whatever you do, though, do not miss out on this game that is well worth your
time and hard-earned money.