Ubi Soft sends word that XIII, the Unreal-engine cel-shaded shooter, has shipped in North America. Here's the deal:

SAN FRANCISCO - November 18, 2003 - Ubisoft(tm), one of the world's top game publishers, announced its highly anticipated, stylish shooter XIII shipped for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and PC. XIII is an epic, conspiracy-driven thriller set in a highly stylized graphic-novel world, starring the voices of David Duchovny as XIII, Eve as Major Jones, and Adam West as General Carrington. XIII is rated "M" (Mature) and retails for a suggested retail price of $49.99 on PlayStation 2 and $39.99 on the PC.

"For XIII, we sought to create a fresh, original first-person shooter experience. In the process, we created a game hailed as the most stylish game in 2003," said Tony Kee, vice president of marketing for Ubisoft. "We combined a compelling story with innovative, original gameplay for both single and multiplayer, delivering a game overflowing with style and even more substance."

As a secret agent suffering from amnesia, players unravel clues behind their true identity, while uncovering sinister plots against themselves, the U.S. government, and the recently assassinated U.S. president. XIII features the deepest story line of any first-person shooter, and players will be immersed in the game's graphic-novel world as they decide who is friend and foe in the ultimate government conspiracy. The game's cel-shaded graphics showcase its unique visual style, which pays homage to its comic roots. XIII also features a variety of exciting gameplay modes, including stealth, all-out action, collaborative gameplay, and innovative multiplayer modes.