Thirteen

We recently got our hands on near-final builds of XIII (that’s “thirteen” and not “ex-ai-ai-ai”) to see the latest on Ubisoft’s Unreal-engined first person shooter. Originally slated to be released early 2003, XIII faced a delay to ensure the quality of the game – a wise decision as what we’ve played thus far indicates that the extra time was put to good use.

Blue, blue eyes I see

You can't even remember Baywatch?

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Graphic novel roots

For those not in the know, XIII is based off the European comic book of the same name. The story is that you’re a badass special forces operative that has lost his memory. Naturally, you’ve been framed for the murder of the President and you’re on the run. When you start in the game, you’re relatively unskilled; but as the game progresses and you regain fragments of your memory, you slowly regain your abilities. For example, one skill you start with is your sixth-sense hearing, allowing you to ‘see footsteps’ as your assailants approach. See footsteps? Yes, on-screen sound effects captions (such as Tap Tap Tap) appear just as they would in a comic book, showing the location and direction of movement of characters beyond solid object. Basically, it acts as a radar.

Oh nos, monochrome!

Throw me a life preserver?

Am I dead?

Other special skills that you’ll be able to regain are as follows:

• Silent walk
  
• Dual weapons
  
• Breathing
  
• First aid
  
• Sniper
  
• Stunning
  
• Lock picking

Is this heaven?

Yay, this is Baywatch!

Hellooooo nurse!

Pop up panels

Other comic book influences are seen during action-activated events. At certain points, comic panels will pop up, highlighting a happening (think of the Hulk movie). Headshots in the game are emphasized with a few gruesome panels of close-up. Big block letters of BAOOOM accompany explosions just for good measure.