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XIII

Cel shading, a comic-book-like look in game graphics, works well in XIII, and game play is action-packed. The story is somewhat of a cliché when compared with others in the genre, but it still manages to stay interesting. Altogether, this is a solid title.
XIII Game Cover
86%Game Brain Score
story, graphics
optimization, stability
91% User Score Based on 1,814 reviews
Critic Score 70%Based on 2 reviews

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XIII Game Cover

About

XIII is a single player and multiplayer shooter game with drama and thriller themes. It was developed by Ubisoft Paris Studio and was released on June 11, 2020. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

"XIII" is a thrilling first-person shooter game with both single-player and multi-player modes. The game features an exciting espionage story, top-notch voice acting by talented actors like David Duchovny and Adam West, and cel-shaded graphics that bring the acclaimed comic book experience to life. However, the game is known for its humor and buggy performance. You play as the prime suspect in the assassination of the US President with amnesia, and must clear your name and solve the mystery.

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XIII screenshot
XIII screenshot
XIII screenshot
XIII screenshot
XIII screenshot
XIII screenshot
XIII screenshot
XIII screenshot
XIII screenshot
XIII screenshot
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91%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,814 reviews
story282 positive mentions
optimization6 negative mentions
  • Unique comic book art style that has aged well and enhances the storytelling.
  • Engaging and intriguing story with plenty of twists and turns.
  • Variety of gameplay mechanics, including stealth and action elements, that keep the experience fresh.
  • Frustrating save system that relies on checkpoints, often forcing players to replay long sections.
  • Inconsistent AI behavior that can lead to unfair stealth encounters.
  • Some gameplay mechanics, such as weapon switching and aiming, feel clunky and outdated.
  • story
    809 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of "XIII" is a blend of classic spy tropes and conspiracy elements, featuring an amnesiac protagonist embroiled in a plot to overthrow the U.S. government. While many players find the narrative engaging with its twists and comic book-style presentation, it suffers from predictability and ends on a frustrating cliffhanger, leaving some plot points unresolved. Overall, the story is appreciated for its entertainment value, though it is often criticized for lacking depth and character development.

    • “The story is captivating and addictive.”
    • “XIII is one of the best FPS games I've ever played, it has an intriguing story with plot twists and beautiful timeless art style resembling its Belgian graphic novel series by Jean Van Hamme.”
    • “The story has tons of twists and turns that threw me for a loop, even when I thought I knew where the plot was going.”
    • “You start out eliminating them one by one, but later on in the game you simply have most of them behind bars because the plot development demands so.”
    • “It amazes me that the game devs created such a surface level storyline and had such weak character development, but still had the balls to end the game on a 'to be continued...'.”
    • “The main point of the game, the story, fell kinda flat for me.”
  • graphics
    469 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of "XIII" are widely praised for their unique cel-shaded comic-book aesthetic, which has aged remarkably well since its 2003 release, allowing it to stand out visually even today. Many players appreciate how the art style enhances the storytelling, immersing them in a vibrant, comic-like world, although some note that the visuals can occasionally obscure important gameplay information. Overall, the game's distinctive graphics are considered its primary strength, overshadowing its more average gameplay elements.

    • “The cel-shaded graphics make it look like you're playing through a comic book, which is just awesome.”
    • “The unique art style has ensured that this game holds up visually — a true classic.”
    • “The comic book aesthetic and presentation really make xiii a unique game.”
    • “Graphics: it’s like watching a VHS tape through a kaleidoscope.”
    • “The graphics are absolutely outdated, which is also due to the 2003 release, but it still has a certain charm, even if the characters are more stiff than they could be, even for this style.”
    • “It's a cheap cash grab with bad optimization, crappy AI upscaling, and Fortnite graphics filters.”
  • gameplay
    362 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "XIII" is a mixed bag, featuring a blend of first-person shooting and stealth mechanics that some players find engaging while others criticize for being clunky and dated. Many appreciate the unique comic book aesthetic and innovative elements, such as the integration of onomatopoeic effects and a variety of weapons, but the linear level design and inconsistent mechanics can lead to frustration. Overall, while the game offers nostalgic charm and a compelling story, its gameplay may not meet the expectations of modern players.

    • “Great gameplay, great story ... if you haven't played it yet you are really missing out!”
    • “Boasting engaging gameplay, stellar voice acting, a profound storyline, and a plethora of awesome weapons, it truly shines.”
    • “The gameplay is a great mix of stealth and action.”
    • “A light recommendation based on presentation alone and the fact that it's way better than the recent remake, but it still has some issues in regards to lacking gameplay and mission variety, making the whole game feel tedious, also lackluster voice acting.”
    • “Given the horrible pacing to the narrative of the tale and the way that levels are designed and spread out, combined with the clunky controls and lackluster gameplay, XIII's only appeal are its visual aesthetics.”
    • “The gameplay is really slow and, to be honest, super boring.”
  • music
    154 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is widely praised for its thematic and immersive qualities, effectively capturing a 60s-70s spy atmosphere with jazzy soundtracks that adapt to gameplay scenarios. While many reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, some note that it can become repetitive over time. Overall, the music significantly enhances the game's aesthetic and storytelling, making it a memorable experience despite some gameplay shortcomings.

    • “The soundtrack is absolutely amazing.”
    • “The music is brilliant and makes for a really immersive experience, despite the dated graphics.”
    • “The game has a great conspiracy story with wonderful atmospheric music to accompany the action; there is an emphasis on strong brass instruments, much like in Bond films.”
    • “5 - annoying repetitive music”
    • “Now think about the previous points, imagine killing the same enemies over and over with the same crap weapons, with the same annoying music, listening to the same lame story and voice acting, over and over again.”
    • “The rest of it is an absolute sh*tfest of god awful bugs, glitches, frame rate drops, braindead AI, unforgivable audio/music problems and general incompetence that will make you literally puke all the way back to the bathroom in record time.”
  • optimization
    28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players citing significant performance issues such as mouse stuttering and low resolution. While some appreciate the overall comic book aesthetic and find the performance enjoyable, others criticize it as poorly optimized and akin to a cash grab, suggesting that the game lacks the polish expected from a modern title. Despite these shortcomings, some players still find the experience engaging enough to overlook the technical flaws.

    • “The performances are great and add to the overall comic book feel of the game.”
    • “Young me had optimized and min-maxed most of the levels fairly well.”
    • “If you would like to experience the game with higher resolutions and better performance, hop over to the community page.”
    • “It's a cheap cash grab with bad optimization, crappy AI upscaling, and Fortnite graphics filters.”
    • “Guess my game didn't save, just wait for the remake, this shit's poorly optimized.”
    • “I should have refunded as soon as I saw the mouse stuttering on the title screen; move the mouse an inch, it moves a pixel, move the mouse a mile, it moves either 2 pixels or 10, you just never know.”
  • stability
    24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability is widely criticized, with users reporting numerous bugs, glitches, and audio issues that significantly detract from the experience. Many players experience crashes and frustrating checkpoint systems, although some have managed to troubleshoot and improve performance. Overall, while the nostalgia factor is appreciated, the game's technical shortcomings make it a challenging play.

    • “The game runs great and looks great too.”
    • “The game runs great and looks great too.”
    • “There are numerous graphic glitches, missing sound from cut scenes, and the checkpoint save system is wonky as all hell.”
    • “The rest of it is an absolute sh*tfest of god awful bugs, glitches, frame rate drops, braindead AI, unforgivable audio/music problems and general incompetence that will make you literally puke all the way back to the bathroom in record time, and to add insult to injury, they dare to charge 40 bucks for it, while also not including the most idiot obvious feature, the online multiplayer mode, no bot support whatsoever.”
    • “Buggy af, crashes constantly, typical boobysoft product :/”
  • humor
    24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is characterized by its over-the-top antics, such as a hilarious multiplayer mode featuring a singing grim reaper and amusing interactions like knocking out guards with everyday objects. While the main story remains grounded and intriguing, it incorporates funny moments and Easter eggs that evoke nostalgia and provide a lighthearted break from more serious modern titles. Overall, players find the humor refreshing and entertaining, contributing to a fun gaming experience.

    • “The small things like being able to knock out a guard with a chair or ashtray and the hilarious multiplayer mode where players avoid being touched by a singing grim reaper while battling each other to see who can kill him first as he shrinks with each shot, make for a fun over-the-top experience we don't tend to see in most modern titles.”
    • “Another good thing about this game is the enemies talk to one another. I really like that because it adds a nice touch to the world, making it feel more alive. Also, one part in this jungle/military base level is that one of the enemies is standing under a searchlight and is singing. I just found that pretty funny and nice to listen to.”
    • “There's also a funny game type where you shoot at a jogging grim reaper for points and stop other players from doing the same.”
  • atmosphere
    20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is heavily influenced by a 60-70s spy aesthetic, characterized by vibrant bongo and bass guitar music that enhances the experience. Its unique art style and strong musical elements, reminiscent of classic Bond films, create an engaging and immersive environment that compensates for any gameplay shortcomings. Overall, the combination of atmospheric storytelling and distinctive visuals contributes significantly to the game's appeal.

    • “The bongos and bass guitar sell the game's atmosphere like nothing else.”
    • “The game has a great conspiracy story with wonderful atmospheric music to accompany the action; there is an emphasis on strong brass instruments, much like in Bond films.”
    • “It's not the most polished in terms of gameplay, but the atmosphere and style more than make up for any quibbles with outdated gameplay.”
    • “It's actually really surprising to me how well XIII's style and atmosphere hold up.”
    • “2-wants to portray a 60-70s spy atmosphere, with a constant bongo music and all.”
  • monetization
    18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization strategy for this remaster has been criticized as a blatant cash grab, with many reviewers noting poor optimization and a lack of meaningful improvements. Players feel that the remaster fails to justify its existence, offering a subpar experience compared to the original while being priced too high for its quality. Overall, the remaster is seen as a missed opportunity that prioritizes profit over genuine enhancement of the game.

    • “It's a cheap cash grab with bad optimization, crappy AI upscaling, and Fortnite graphics filters.”
    • “The remaster is just a quick cash grab for a broken, scrambled, and watered down version of what this game has.”
    • “Unfortunately, I don't think it has held up well with time and it likely should not have been recycled for a quick cash grab, which is really all this seems to be.”
  • grinding
    16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, with many citing issues such as lackluster mission variety, tedious boss fights, and frustrating stealth mechanics due to low checkpoints. While some levels are entertaining, the overall design feels primitive and aged, leading to a less engaging experience.

    • “The game has aged and it's all a bit more tedious and primitive in design than I had recalled.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Bad gunplay, tedious stealth mechanics, and level design.”
  • replayability
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's replayability is enhanced by community-made patches, which improve its playability, especially on Windows 10. While the original offers a pleasant experience, the remake has been criticized for diminishing replay value, leading players to prefer the original for its multiplayer features, including bot support. Overall, the game is considered somewhat short but retains enough replay value to warrant multiple playthroughs.

    • “This game is a wonderful experience with pleasant replayability.”
    • “It's somewhat short but has a bit of replay value in the multiplayer suite since it supports bots.”
    • “As I recall, I thought it was okay, but I was also more into the Timesplitters series, and those titles were way better for multiplayer and replayability.”
    • “It's somewhat short but has a bit of replay value in the multiplayer suite since, as mentioned, it supports bots.”
    • “As I recall, I thought it was okayish, but I was also more into the Timesplitters series and those titles were way better for multiplayer and replayability.”
    • “Don't touch the remake, it is awful and I hope the developers will rework it into something more playable.”
  • character development
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The character development in the game is criticized for being superficial and weak, leaving players unsatisfied, yet it intriguingly concludes with a "to be continued..." that suggests potential for future growth. Despite its flaws, this approach seems to resonate with some players.

    • “Strange scheme of character development, by the current times, but hey, it is working!”
    • “It amazes me that the game devs created such a surface-level storyline and had such weak character development, but still had the audacity to end the game on a 'to be continued...'.”
    • “The character development feels strange and outdated compared to current standards, yet somehow it is still working.”
  • emotional
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional impact of the game is described as heart-wrenching, highlighting a deep connection despite its flaws. While some mechanics have not aged well and technical issues persist, the emotional resonance remains a significant aspect of the experience.

    • “It's heart breaking”
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70%Critics’ scoreBased on 2 critic reviews
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7h Median play time
7h Average play time
6-8h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 6 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

XIII is a shooter game with drama and thriller themes.

XIII is available on PC, Mac OS, Windows, PlayStation 2 and others.

On average players spend around 7 hours playing XIII.

XIII was released on June 11, 2020.

XIII was developed by Ubisoft Paris Studio.

XIII has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its optimization.

XIII is a single player game with multiplayer support.

Similar games include Return to Castle Wolfenstein, Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell, Max Payne, Beyond Good & Evil, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time and others.