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. 

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.