XIII is a first-person shooter with cel shading that is based on the well-known comic book series from the Belgian cult developed by Jean Van Hamme and illustrated by William Vance. The first five comics served as inspiration for the game in a more general sense. The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum serves as the inspiration for the primary storyline of this video game. The protagonist of this story is a man who is suffering from amnesia and who may or may not have been engaged in the most recent attempt to kill the President of the United States. The hero is almost completely ignorant, but he does understand that he must be significant because everyone is out to murder him. The hero gradually discovers more about his background as a secret agent and his peculiar moniker, which is XIII, as he works his way through the riddle.
In a setting that has the feel of a comic book about it, the player has to decipher information in order to solve a mystery that involves a conspiracy. Footsteps and shots are shown in text and actions; for instance, headshots are shown as a series of still photos. Footsteps and shots are also visualized in motion. Aside from that, the game contains all of the typical elements found in first-person shooters, including both stealth and action gameplay, more than fifteen weapons (including shotguns, crossbows, and rifles), the ability to interact with objects found in the environment, and a large number of foes in levels located all over the world. The player has the opportunity to gain a multitude of skills as they progress through the game, including lockpicking, quiet movement, and dual weapon handling.
