XIII

 Xbox
Metascore
74

Mixed or average reviews - based on 38 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 38
  3. Negative: 0 out of 38
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  1. GamePro
    100
    A truly dazzling, inspired game that mixes a riveting story with a stylish look and absorbing gameplay.
  2. Gamestyle
    90
    XIII may not 'revolutionise' the genre, but it certainly tips its hat to some revolutionary (FPS) elements, including the platformesque addition of the grapnel and...an obeisance to singing soldiers.
  3. XboxAddict
    90
    It combines cell shading, a comic book look and feel, and a somewhat intriguing story line that will keep you wanting to play just so you can see what really happened to you.
  5. Official Xbox Magazine
    88
    An excellent game that earns bonus points for doing something new, but it ultimately falls just a splinter short of greatness. [Dec 2003, p.102]
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  6. Next Level Gaming
    85
    First and foremost, you're going to get your hands on some cracker-jack weaponry, both firearm and silent. Each weapon has a standard and secondary fire, which depending on the weapon is pretty cool.
  7. Worth Playing
    85
    It's not too often a game comes around that breathes new life into a genre. But I think that's just what XIII has done. With a little creativity and determination, Ubisoft has succeeded in creating an interactive comic book.
  8. Gamenikki
    85
    With a convoluted, twisting conspiracy-driven story, flashy graphics and exciting gameplay, XIII demands your money.
  9. GameZone
    82
    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.
  10. GameBiz
    82
    Fortunately for XIII, it doesn’t fail at all and it creates a very compelling game by adding new elements like cel-based shading and an off-beat soundtrack.
  11. Maxim Online
    80
    And with the engaging story, plus the graphic-novel presentation (boxes of action and text are constantly popping up on-screen), this truth is worth uncovering.
  12. Eurogamer
    80
    A flawed masterpiece. A game brimming with variety and a freshness lacking from most of the factory farmed franchise exercises that pass through our offices with crushing regularity.
  13. IGN
    80
    Has a great story-driven sheen, but at it's core, it's weighed down by some occasional bewildering flaws, in addition to the lackluster weapons and simple combat we usually see in lesser productions.
  14. TotalGames.net
    80
    We also love the fact that many of the in-world objects can be used as weapons (chairs, ashtrays, spades) and that you can take hostages, releasing them after a incapacitating squeeze to the throat.
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  15. Cincinnati Enquirer
    80
    Thrill-seekers in search of a stylized 3-D shooter with a compelling story will find plenty of both in Ubi Soft's XIII.
  16. Game Chronicles
    79
    Once you look through the cel-shaded visuals, professional voice acting, and graphic novel presentation and effects, you are left with a pretty standard shooter that doesn’t really innovate or improve upon the genre.
  17. TeamXbox
    76
    An extremely stylistic experiment with a well-tailored story and high production values that offers us a glimpse of what lies ahead in gaming, but overwhelmingly shows that we still have a long way to go.
  18. Entertainment Weekly
    75
    The hero is voiced by former "X-Files" star David Duchovny whose deadpan delivery is mostly forgettable. [21 Nov 2003, p.L2T 46]
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  19. Gaming Age
    75
    I, like many others, get tired of the same old weapons and the same old shooting sequences with the only delta being changing environments.
  20. Play Magazine
    75
    Most of the shots you'll take in XIII require a sniper's touch - expect to become dreadfully familiar with your crossbow. [Dec 2003, p.70]
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  21. GameSpy
    75
    While I wish the multiplayer offered more, as it would no doubt extend the title's replay value, it's just not exciting enough given the current number of quality online action titles on the Xbox. The single-player experience is enjoyable, if not revolutionary.
  22. 1UP
    75
    A more general problem is that the gameplay doesn't do much new, or even contemporary for that matter. You do the general flip-switching and item collecting types of missions, and your firepower is very typical.

Awards & Rankings

73
#73 Best Xbox Game of 2003
55
#55 Most Discussed Xbox Game of 2003
24
#24 Most Shared Xbox Game of 2003

User Reviews

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User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 23 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 23
  3. Negative: 1 out of 23
  1. Piquerix
    May 29, 2022
    7
    The game is cool, nice story and nice graphic sector. But on my first run I've to find how and when to save the game (right after pass aThe game is cool, nice story and nice graphic sector. But on my first run I've to find how and when to save the game (right after pass a checkpoint) but beside this issue the game is enjoyable… Full Review »
  2. Wilcze
    Apr 14, 2022
    8
    Intriguing story and original visuals. Shooting mechanics are solid making this a great FPS. Stealth sections are plentiful though so can'tIntriguing story and original visuals. Shooting mechanics are solid making this a great FPS. Stealth sections are plentiful though so can't just run in and shoot everything in sight. That cliffhanger though. Sequel is coming soon at least, right? RIGHT?… Full Review »
  3. Dperks
    Nov 26, 2020
    6
    Okay so i wanted to check this game out mainly because the remake came out recently and I heard it was bad. But it reminded me that I see theOkay so i wanted to check this game out mainly because the remake came out recently and I heard it was bad. But it reminded me that I see the original for 5 bucks at my local used games store all the time. So I checked it and first of all the visuals are very nice ill say that. Some times they can be a little blocky and janky but overall it nails the comic book style that it's going for. And the story was alright I think, its not commuted very well some times on what's happening. So I felt very confused a lot of the time but that's not a huge negative for me. What really suffers is the gameplay mostly the stealth parts of the game. The stealth is very frustrating mostly due to how basic it really is there's a lack of depth with it . But it probably wouldn't be as bad if the check point system didn't make it so after getting spotted and sounding an alarm in some levels that I had to rewatch story scenes or replay big chunks of levels. Which are boring to replay because the stealth makes it so that you have to go very slow. Other than that the gunplay is fun a little to easy due to very simple AI but still serviceable for it's time. If your looking for a very stylized shooter and can tolerate some simple yet frustrating stealth segments than I more than recommend you check out XIII for yourself.… Full Review »
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