The XIII remake has had a bit of a rough go of it, hasn't it? After launching on the PS4 back in 2020 to less than stellar reviews, with many even heading out to buy the original 2003 game instead, the Switch port received multiple delays. Today, however, Microids has announced that Switch owners will get their hands on this remake on 13th September — isn't that apt?
But to coincide with the Switch release, Microids has revealed that the studio has handed the reins over to Tower Five, creators of Lornsword Winter Chronicle. This developer has worked on the Switch port on top of adding online multiplayer, refining the art style to look closer to the original, and tweaking the AI among other things. Switch owners will be getting the best version of this remake on day one. But Steam, PlayStation, and Xbox players won't miss out either, as the game will receive all improvements in a free day one patch.
The game originally launched on the GameCube and was noted for its unique cel-shaded art style — inspired by the Belgian graphic novel of the same name. If it's been a hot minute since you dived into XIII, check out a story summary of the game from the publisher:
About the Story of XIII:
Who are you?
The country is still in shock after President Sheridan’s assassination.
You wake up injured and with amnesia on the shore of an east coast beach. The only clues about your identity are the number XIII tattooed on your collarbone and the key to a locker. Despite the memory loss, you realize not everything has been forgotten as you seem to have amazing reflexes comparable to a well-trained government agent. You will soon be on your way to uncover your past, discovering in the process your role in the murder of the US president and unveiling the most astonishing conspiracy in the country’s history.
Play as “XIII” – a man who has no memory about his identity – and try to find out the truth regarding the set-up of a major conspiracy. Follow XIII in his search for his identity through a thrilling solo campaign and brutal local multiplayer battles!
And, if Tower Five is indeed improving the visuals of the game, we can certainly tell from these brand new screenshots.
The remake of XIII arrives on Switch on 13th September. Will you be grabbing it and praying the remake has been much improved? Let us know in the comments!
Further reading
Comments 36
Wait, the visuals are different.
And why are they actually good?
I've heard mixed feelings about this remake, but I still want to check it out. Overlooked shooters from the early 2000s are pretty charming. Geist anyone?
The remake did release originally with terrible reviews. But I read over on sister site PushSquare that they did a big overhaul on it and it should be better now. That, coupled with it now coming out on Switch, is a green light to buy for me.
I AM going to wait for a review before I do but having played the original and being really excited for the remake/remaster from the beginning is very exciting!
Loved the original and expected the switch version of the remake to be cancelled after the terrible reviews on PS4/Xbox One....The footage looks decent but the frame rate could do with being a bit smoother for my liking. I will be waiting for a review before getting this one, but I'm still excited for the release!
If switch version is good I’m down.
"XIII", "finally"... I almost had a heart attack there!😅
I liked this game, wasn’t amazing but got more criticism than it deserved
This was on several peoples' list for "worst game of the year" a couple years ago, it currently holds a one-star rating on Steam, yadda yadda. Everyone please, don't waste your money or your time on this one.
Very rare as a game you get to watch a game crash and burn twice.
I saw it with Evolve and I guess I will see it again with this absolute joke of a remake.
It was beyond repair the last time I even bothered with it.
The studio tasked with the fix is a joke too.
Can't wait to see how bad the patch is.
Shame as I loved XIII for the OG XBOX.
This was the butchered remake...but it doesn't look butchered anymore! The characters do look comic-style again, instead from Fortnite.
You'd have thought it must have significantly improved if they continued to bother with development on the Switch version. Doesn't seem like the sort of game that would sell on name value alone at this point
Still had my GameCube copy but if this one is good I may double dip again for the Switch version. I didn't realize the Steam and PS4 versions were garbage, a waste of powers really.
As long as they fixed it up, I'm 100% down to buy this. Loved the original back in the day and always support FPS games on switch. We need Blood Fresh Supply, Ultrakill, Amid Evil, Hedon, etc please
I hate to be a complete lurch and break up the 13 number of comments here but this is the best news of the week for me, even with the awesome direct we had. I loved XIII and was absolutely gutted with this rerelease. I had lost all hope for this but maybe we’ll actually get a proper edition of this fine game. I want physical.
Yikes, it doesn't look like it's running too smoothly already from that trailer.
Meh... I would rather a remake or to sequelize a new TimeSplitters, Jet Force Gemini, Mega Man Legends, P.N. 03, Vanquish and/or Binary Domain game if we're reviving old 3D shooters.
... Wun can only hope.
Will wait for reviews but if its good, I'll buy.
@Ade117 I get weirdly excited to see anyone else mention Geist. That is a game screaming for a remake, reboot, or successor.
I thought the source game for this received fairly middling reviews back when it was new. Perhaps if this is somehow better than that and they are updating it, I'll check this out.
@Ade117
@Judaspete
Always, ALWAYS, Geist.
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From everything I've heard, players hated the remake so much, many began playing the original again. I never tried it, personally, but that's the consensus I got.
I think I recall vaguely hearing about this game all those years ago. Kind of looks cool, like a game right out of an episode of Archer.
But it appears they are aiming without gyro..if that's the case it'll be a pass.
Played it on Xbox and even if they fixed everything its still mediocre. It's more of an "inspired" remake than a proper one.
Certainly wait for reviews but am utterly amazed it's still actually releasing supposedly....
I will believe it when I see it.
Gonna wait for a review
If they give the game an ending, I may buy. If it's the same story, I'll just play the Gamecube version.
I honestly thought this released on Switch a long time ago. I forgot about it because of the disappointing reviews. If the Switch version turns out to be decent with gyro aiming included, then mabey I'll pick up a copy. It needs to have a physical release as well for me to consider it... mind you, I never played the original, but I remember seeing it during the Gamecube, Xbox, PS2 era...
Lol why do they dare to?
I can't say that there was anything in that gameplay video that looked compelling to me at all. I know I owned and played the original at some point, but it must not have made an impression, because I don't remember much about it beyond the art style.
I loved the original, I've probably beaten it 10 times. I'll buy this if there is physical even though this re release process was a complete dumpster fire.
@IronMan30 maybe you should since your avatar is the voice actor to its main. That is a picture of David Duchovny right?
If it's improved then I'll give it a shot
gonna be honest and say that some of the vitriol here is incredibly uncalled for. trying to salvage this stinker is such a thankless job and I hope for the best with it. they seem to really be giving it their all for a remake few will still care about 2 years later.
I never got to play the original XIII back in the day so I'd welcome it's return if it's with improvements.
Although to be fair I'd give my right nut for anything Timesplitters related, be that a remake of 2 or just something outright new. Never been a big shooter guy but TS2 ate up tons of my time back on the GC.
@TYRANACLES no, Bill Hicks actually. He did bear a slight resemblance to him, now that you mention it.
Anyway, have you played it?
@IronMan30 Ah I see my mistake. I have not played the rerelease version of this game as it was quite a mess from what I could tell. I will definitely not rush into this one, but if I hear good things I won’t hesitate to get this. I loved the original and played it thru on more than one occasion. It wasn’t for everyone, even back then, but I’m a sucker for a good mystery, and spy style shooter.
And my many delayed PreOrder and extra will make it finally?
Isnt the game supposed to be released today? I cant find it on the switch eshop for some reason.
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