Ubisoft FPS adapted from Vance and Van Hamme's XIII comic book. Cel-shaded comic style, panel-and-onomatopoeia storytelling and a 1960s American conspiracy vibe. Decent gameplay and reasonable runtime. A genuine visual identity, set apart in the catalogue.
Your verdict
Category
Action Adventure1 player16+
Description
Agent XIII battles conspirators who framed him for the president's murder in this Ubisoft GameCube XIII. Published by Ubisoft, released in the United States in November 2003. FPS with cel-shaded visuals inspired by the Belgian comic, varied missions and complex conspiracy story.
XIII review
MAX
Art direction
★★★★★
"Iconic"
3/5
Music
★★★★★
"Memorable"
4/5
Story
★★★★★
"Captivating"
Inspired by the Belgian comic, the game transposes the ink, the flat colours and the panels right down to the onomatopoeia that burst onto the screen. This nervous cel-shading freezes the action into genuine animated pages of perfect readability. A rare gamble in the FPS, this style made history and keeps a unique cachet.
XIII is an Ubisoft FPS adapted from the Belgian comic, whose cel-shaded look and on-screen onomatopoeia brilliantly capture the spirit of the medium. Its conspiracy plot and stealth sections give it a real identity, even if limited AI and uneven level design betray their age. The art direction remains its major asset and stays singular even today. For fans of narrative FPS games and of titles with a strong graphic stance, it clearly warrants the detour.
