XIII

 PC
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 120 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 72 out of 120
  2. Mixed: 36 out of 120
  3. Negative: 12 out of 120
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  1. Seriosity
    Jul 11, 2013
    7
    The visual presentation is impressive and the conspiracy story is intriguing, but the level design is frustrating and the gameplay tedious and uninspired.
  2. VishnuS.
    Jun 7, 2005
    10
    It's great man, with those compelling, superb, story. A mixture of nerve and adventure, its super.
  3. punkzu
    Dec 12, 2010
    9
    Such a outstanding storyline outweighs the shabby graphics and game engine and, for me, makes this a classic. However people must not forget the graphics are like that since this is based on a comic book series. I really enjoyed playing this game and am a little gutted there is no sequel :(. Definitely worth the buy.
  4. Bort
    Dec 20, 2003
    4
    Interesting style. Crapy save system. What is the point of a quick save system when it always brings you back to the last save point. Graphics are mediocre. Below average polygon count detail. Textures are bland. Performance is good.
  5. MikeM.
    Apr 5, 2006
    6
    Would've been an 8 easily if it didn't suffer from (typical) console-itis. By this I mean, as many others mentioned, the complete lack of a useful quicksave function. I can't remember how many times I had to repeat tedious trial-and-error sneaking levels simply because the next guard 'round the corner spotted me. On one occasion an alarm was sounded by a guard who Would've been an 8 easily if it didn't suffer from (typical) console-itis. By this I mean, as many others mentioned, the complete lack of a useful quicksave function. I can't remember how many times I had to repeat tedious trial-and-error sneaking levels simply because the next guard 'round the corner spotted me. On one occasion an alarm was sounded by a guard who wasn't even anywhere near my line of sight! Frustration should not overshadow fun in a game; players should not constantly be penalized for a single misstep. (I really do loathe games where you have to sneak around most of the time anyway, unless they have working quicksaves/quickloads, or you can at least blast them with some silenced weapon). The tragedy is this is something that could have easily been fixed by a short afternoon of coding had they cared enough to put forth the effort. And that's pretty much the impression I get playing this game: lack of effort.… Expand
  6. JasonB.
    Feb 5, 2004
    1
    Graphics are interesting but another example of the poor publishing job by the French company Ubi Soft. They are ruining the software industry.
  7. NealG.
    Dec 16, 2003
    4
    Really poor installation documentation and implementation of copy protection ( you cannot start the game with the CD that starts the game...and there is no documentation even mentioning that...now, THERE's a slap to the user ) plus a severe lack of a properly functioning save game feature prevents this otherwise promising game from even being worth messing with. Needs patching Really poor installation documentation and implementation of copy protection ( you cannot start the game with the CD that starts the game...and there is no documentation even mentioning that...now, THERE's a slap to the user ) plus a severe lack of a properly functioning save game feature prevents this otherwise promising game from even being worth messing with. Needs patching immediately, but seems to suffer from a severe lack of support as games released since this came out have had patches already, and it's tech support forums seem to be focused merely on the game's problems being user-related rather than the obvious flaws that scream for repair, like the broken save-game feature. Too bad, too, as it looks like it could have been fun....I left it installed for 2 weeks but finally got rid of it due to lack of proper support from the publisher.… Expand
  8. punxploder
    Sep 21, 2014
    4
    XIII is a beautiful "riding on the rails" game. It's cute, and amusing, but when it comes to weapon variety, and explorability it's a real stinkaroo. It answer's the question "What if 'Archer' wasn't funny and had amnesia". Turn that into a FPS and you'd have this game. Don't get me wrong, the graphics, and presentation are entertaining. Put this in your gaming library, but don'tXIII is a beautiful "riding on the rails" game. It's cute, and amusing, but when it comes to weapon variety, and explorability it's a real stinkaroo. It answer's the question "What if 'Archer' wasn't funny and had amnesia". Turn that into a FPS and you'd have this game. Don't get me wrong, the graphics, and presentation are entertaining. Put this in your gaming library, but don't brag about it. Everyone will laugh at you.… Expand
  9. F1_is_WWE
    Apr 17, 2022
    1
    XIII is a linear corridor shooter that makes Call of Duty look good. Gameplay is a clunky console port with way too much hand holding. Lack of quicksaving and unskippable cutscenes are just the cherry on top.
  10. dejandeki
    Apr 6, 2012
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Excellent game.It has only one - and that is saving , because you will always get game saved on last checkpoint.Everything else is for 10+ except graphic which is for 8.5 in my opinion . Nothing more to say because the score shows everything else… Expand
  11. iddqd4
    Feb 11, 2018
    7
    Стилизация под комиксы, лично мне, не дает возможности погрузиться в игру.
  12. Hersir
    Nov 2, 2015
    7
    A nice oldschool classic FPS game, one of those that used cel shading to stylize it as a live comic book. Although linear in design and with checkpoint save system, the game with its interesting espionage/amnesia/conspiracy plot is still nice for a couple of passes.
  13. Tomle1202
    Aug 5, 2022
    7
    XIII is surprisingly great as a thriller, but unfortunately not so much as a videogame.
  14. Jernas
    Oct 28, 2016
    8
    I've been waiting to get my hands on this interesting looking game for quite some time. Now that I have finished it, the question is, is XIII as interesting to play as it is to look at?

    I didn't want to, but I guess I have no other option than to start with the graphics which are, to say the least, very interesting looking. The game is made with cell-shaded technique and has aged very    I've been waiting to get my hands on this interesting looking game for quite some time. Now that I have finished it, the question is, is XIII as interesting to play as it is to look at?

    I didn't want to, but I guess I have no other option than to start with the graphics which are, to say the least, very interesting looking. The game is made with cell-shaded technique and has aged very well because of that. It looks almost on par with more modern games, such as Team Fortress 2 and Borderlands. In addition to that, the art style is also pretty good. Even though it is made in a unique comic book style with every conversation written in a speech balloon and every shot accompanied with a written BANG!!!, XIII is, in it's hearth, a classic First Person Shooter game. True, it tries to add something more to the genre, but it is half successful in doing that. At certain points in the game, you are either forced or allowed to use a grappling hook, in a similar way Batman uses it. This can be fun, but can also be frustrating, as it tends to make you dead from time to time. In most cases, it's also optional, and in some cases necessary, to go stealth mode. This has the same effect as the grappling hook, as it adds some excitement to the game, but can become frustrating, especially because the game is incredibly linear. Don't expect to be given any alternate paths in this game. If you see a ventilation shaft, that's the only way ahead, if you see a corridor, it's again, the only option to advance. That is a huge shame, as more added freedom would have made this game a lot more interesting. Nevertheless, weapons are interesting to shoot with and they make a unique but satisfying bang. The problem here is though, that you do not get to keep already found weapons and your inventory is rearranged to what the game thinks you'll need after every mission. This is true for med-packs, ammunition, as well as all special tools, so it's pointless to save grenades or med-packs for later use. This takes us to the story, which is pretty good for a game of that period and tells about the twenty conspirators who killed the president of the United States and tried to take over the country. The story is presented to the player in graphic novel panels, which is, as we know from the Max Payne games, a good way to tell a story. The story itself is a bit stuck in the sixties though and could have easily been a James Bond movie plot. We do encounter some interesting characters and witness some impressive character development (of the main protagonist). This is definitely a plus, but I think the developers could have gone a bit further and introduced some close romantic/sexual relationship.

    XIII is not a superb game and that's not just because of it's flaws. It's mostly because even the best things here are at a very good mark, instead of great. For example, the story is good but it lacks realism to be great, gun-play is good, but again, nothing special. Level design is good overall, but too linear. While worth playing, this game never really amazes.    … Expand
  15. inavatar
    Jun 23, 2020
    8
    Отличный экшн своего времен. Проходил много раз, так как сама постановка и подача миссий весьма хороша. Считай как шпионский комикс
  16. Babutto
    Jul 13, 2020
    9
    Pros.:
    - Style.
    - Music.
    - Story.
    - Concept.

    Cons.:
    - Saving system.
    - Level design sometimes is too primitive.
    - The game feels short after all. A bunch of plotters executed in an instant.
    - The cliffhanger with no sequel.

    Anyways, great game. Really! Don't forget the voice of David Duchovny as XIII.
  17. thx2208
    Jun 21, 2020
    9
    This is easily one of the best games I have ever played. I remember getting it on launch day back when you had to go to the store for the actual physical copy. I didn't know until now that it also got a release on PlayStation 2. With the new game coming out this November I would definitely advise everyone getting it give this a play.
  18. Relenea
    Jul 31, 2022
    6
    XIII, kendine has görselliği, tarzı ve sunumuyla güzel bir oyun lakin; oynanış, genel mekanikler, yapay zeka gibi birçok konuda başarısını aşağıya çekiyor. Özellikle oyunsuz dönemlerde göz atılabilir.
  19. JohnoDeruno
    Sep 26, 2021
    8
    Attention: this is just my opinion!

    XIII: Fun Comics design action FPS game? So what surprised me most about the game is its design and history. The level design of this game with a truly amazing story itself is very interesting and full of action. The game itself is so similar to any comic book or movie. I just liked those comic book designs that made the same cutscenes, items,    Attention: this is just my opinion!

    XIII: Fun Comics design action FPS game?

    So what surprised me most about the game is its design and history. The level design of this game with a truly amazing story itself is very interesting and full of action. The game itself is so similar to any comic book or movie. I just liked those comic book designs that made the same cutscenes, items, text, and very much an example like a pure comic book. The game itself has interesting characters and villains, the story itself is easy to explain. I quite liked the sound of the characters. But the sounds of guns, at least I didn’t like it, particularly the sound of one gun was brutally trashed. There’s a level in the game like stealth I personally didn’t like stealth itself and there was a level where it was really hard and complicated that you didn’t know what to do or stealth ruined everything every second because it caught you, and you didn’t manage to hide quickly. There could have been some limit.

    So in my opinion the game worth playing is such an exciting place and the level of the story itself is fascinating and exciting. Have a few bugs. I would dedicate myself to this game 8/10.    … Expand
  20. The_D4RknesS
    Jun 30, 2022
    10
    simple game but with a great gameplay it is satisfactory, the only thing that I didn't like is the graphics in drawings, but even so the game is incredible.

Awards & Rankings

57
#57 Most Discussed PC Game of 2003
53
#53 Most Shared PC Game of 2003

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
72

Mixed or average reviews - based on 27 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 27
  3. Negative: 0 out of 27
  1. PC Arena
    70
    Adequate in most areas, but beneath the cel-shaded exterior, there could have been more substance to make the title really stand out.
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  2. IncGamers
    65
    Sadly the AI isn't particularly good. While enemies do dodge out of the way and hide behind objects there's no intelligence to the way they fight.
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  3. GameSpy
    75
    A solid, competent shooter, one with a unique presentation and a story just intriguing enough to keep you playing through the end. The simplistic combat, generic design and savegame oddities keep it out of the realm of greatness.
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