Having not bought a new PS2 game for over a year, I thought I might as well get a new one with some birthday dosh.

Believe it or not, I picked XIII.

I didnt really know what to expect from the game, as I hadn't really seen/heard anything about it. The game is essentially a first person shooter with some cel-shaded graphics and comic-esque effects.

When the game starts, it is revealed that the president of the united states has been assasinated, and the main character wakes up ,wounded and washed up on a deserted beach. The only, vague clues to identify him is the number XIII tattoed on his the chest.

You're part in this is to track back on your past, discovering the part 'XIII' played in the murder of the president.

With the mystery comes the fact that XIII has devoped a sixth sense, in which he can sense events before they happen, enemies attacking for example.

updated
oops, I forgot about this. I completed the game two days after buying it, and havent touched it since (although buying an Xbox might have something to do with that). So, XIII isnt the longest of games but it is graphically impressive and with the ability to play online theres the extra bonus of loads more gameplay. As I havent got a PS2 network adapter (or broadband. yet) I obviously wasnt able to do this, which made the remaining game (after completing it) a bit repetitive after a while.

All in all, despite it falling short in a few areas, and having one of the most dissapointing endings I've ever come accross in a game, XIII is easily one of the best games I've played in the past year simply due to its fresh approach to the FPS genre.

+ PROS
cel-shaded graphics
online playability

+ CONS
length
poor ending

8/10

Received my copy today.

but.. is it any good?

According to sources, it is fantastic.....

According to gamespot.com its distinctly average givin it only 7.0, goin at £30 in woolies, I have that much in vouchers crumplin in me poket and was wanting to know weather it was worth it to part with them for this game, but lookin a various reviews it looks like I`ll be usin them to purchase a set of pyrex dishes instead.

i can recommend it for the pc :)

I have it on the xbox and its brill, there is multi player options and link for xbox.

Just bought it today (finally) for £5.99 preowned. Cheap as chips. Not a bad little game. Took a few goes to get my head round the controls, but it plays well and looks fantastic.

I've played both the PC and PS2 version and found that the PC version is much easier to control (As with all games of that ilk)

Must admit had great fun with the grappling hook and flying around pretending to be spider man swinging from hook to hook for a while in a couple of levels.