Cheap, Cartoon, Computer Fun... (XIII (Xbox))

Member Name: dadofthree

Product:	XIII (Xbox)
Date:	21/01/06 (136 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: One of the best plots I've seen in a shoot em up - EVER

Disadvantages: Multi-player mode is very repetitive and dull...

THE PLOT:

I dont want to write too much about this, but its a story of conspiracy. This is an area that most shoot-em ups prefer to ignore, concentrating on gore and violence, but this game has etched out the gap in the market.

While you go around shooting anything that moves, you actually have a purpose. Each level moves onto the next, and the 'bosses' actually have a reason to be there instead of just breaking the game up into sections.


THE GAMEPLAY:

Well, you shoot - everything and anything. Pretty much like Halo or any of the other good games in this genre. But given that there is a realistic sotryline to this one, it helps you in the game. When somebody tells you that there has been a theft of secret personnell files from an office unit - you know that the best place to start would be in the personnell office... you get the picture. No more being lost amid the levels, you know where you want to go and its relatively easy to figure out which direction to go in to get there.

The shooting action is also simple to master, with the ability to change the controls to ones you prefer (for those who have played Halo to death - yes, you can switch it to the same controls as Halo). This makes moving about easy to configure.

In terms of addictiveness, this game has it in abundance. Because the game is easy to navigate and simple to play (though hard to master), it can very quickly become engrossing... Anyone can pick this game up and finish level 1 - but can you do it without taking a single hit? Or what about without killing anyone? Targets make this game a great...


GRAPHICS:

Set up as a computer graphic - almost like a realistic attempt at a cartoon, this game doesnt need special effects or visuals. In this clearly computer world, there is no need to make it realistic... the gameplay and storyline are so advanced that it doesn't need it.

However, the graphics are smooth, with none of the dreaded 'pop-ups' (this is objects that suddenly appear in front of you, because the game/computer couldnt handle it from the edge of the screen!).


MULTI-PLAYER:

OK, OK, so every game has a shortfall. Well, here it is. While Halo uses multiplayer mode to make it one of the best games going, XIII (or thirteen for those who hadn't got this yet) concentrates on the single player mode. Alas, despite all the usuals being included here, Deathmatch, Tag etc... the gameplay isnt designed for more than one player, and the levels are porrly designed for multiplayer modes. There are far too many 'invincible points' where you can just sit and be 99% sure you'll kill everything before it can get near to you... ruining what could have been a great asset to this game.


LONGEVITY:

With the intricate plot, this game will keep you engrossed for a good 15-20 hours on the initial play. But once thats complete you have various bonus targets you can aim for - can you complete any individual level without being hit? Or what about without hitting anyone? What about without being seen? All these goals can open hidden bonus material/options. This keeps the game playing for weeks at a time.....


PRICE:

This game is now classed as old - and was relatively ignored when it was initially released. Many people haven't even heard of it before. However, I saw it brand new in Game the other day for £19.99 (buy one get one free) and second hand in the same shop for just £4.99!


SUMMARY:

At £4.99 this game is a steal, and would come extremely highly recommended. I cant think of any other shoot em up I'd rather have on the Xbox - and at £4.99 its the best value money can buy. In my opinion, its even better than Halo in single player. But avoid it if you want multi-player fun, it can't get near to comparing to Halo.

Summary: Better than Halo in single player - and at £4.99 its a steal... Avoid the multi-player mode though