XIII (Xbox, 2003)

Reviewed for Big Boss Games by: LEG

If you’ve read any of my other reviews, you will know that I’m a huge fan of First Person Shooter type games or FPS. That being the fact, I’ve played many dozens of FPS type games on various platforms. In order for an FPS type game to get a perfect score, it has to excel on numerous fronts. It needs to have decent graphics, tons of different weapons, numerous unique and non-repetitive levels, smart enemy A.I. and a decent amount of game playability.

Well folks, XIII or Thirteen is such a game. Imagine taking a spy thriller type comic book and turning it into a video game. That’s exactly what the programmers at Ubisoft have created. Don’t be put off by the “comic” looking graphics. Doing so will cause you to miss a really awesome game. I know, because that’s exactly what I did. Until a friend of mine told me that I just had to play this game. So, I put my prejudice against “comic” graphics aside and played the game. I'm so glad I did!

Once I got into it, I was hooked until I couldn’t stop playing! It’s awesome how the “comic book” references are thoughtfully put into the game. Things like shooting a bad guy at the top of a cliff and then watching the words “Ahhhh!!!” come up in a balloon as he plummets to the ground. Just like it would in a real comic book!

All "comics" aside, once you really start playing the game you just forget about the cartoon like graphics and start blasting away at the bad guys. You get to shoot over 15 different weapons (knife, 9mm pistol, grenades, .44 special, double-barrel and pump-action shotguns, harpoon launcher (yes, there’s an underwater level), crossbows (nothing like headshots from long distance with this one), mini gun (think Uzi), kalash (think AK47), assault rifle (with grenade launcher), machine gun (so heavy, it actually slows you down), bazooka (a FPS game without a bazooka is not a FPS game!), sniper rifle (again, what good FPS would be complete without a sniper rifle!). And you can also use chairs, brooms, bottles, ashtrays and other objects as weapons. The latter weapons will become a necessity during the “stealth” mode levels of the game.

All of the levels are very diverse and take place in various locations, everything from sandy beaches and wooded forests to icy, snowy mountains. As you play the game, various pieces of a conspiracy involving a presidential assassination begin to unravel. Although, you yourself have amnesia and are trying to figure out whom you are as well.

There are a total of about 8 different boss fights that you have to defeat to continue in the game. Luckily the checkpoints are thoughtfully laid out so that you won’t have to cover too much repetitive ground if you should die the first few times. Some of the boss fights were easier than others, but they were all enjoyable.

There is also a 4-player split-screen multiplayer mode that includes deathmatch, team deathmatch and capture the flag. You can also play deathmatch by yourself, since the game designers thoughtfully added some “bots” to play with you during deathmatch.

XII Thirteen is rated “M” for Mature. Like most FPS type games, there is a TON of blood and intense violence. This game is all about shooting and killing people and blowing things up. Which is the case with most FPS type games. If that's what floats your boat, then get a copy of this game! It was totally awesome, all the way to the very end? The music soundtrack was also very fitting to the game.

I love the cartoon effect, the game plays very well, advanced and simple at the same time. My grand son has moved into the realistic atmosphere.

A must have for the collector of X-Box games like myself. 750 Games and getting bigger everyday I shop on ebay. Great shooter type game for your collection.