Not even the unique presentation will make up for the flat gameplay
The game is actually based on a series of graphic novels, so it is certainly a plot driven title. You play as agent XIII, initially waking up on a beach with a case of amnesia. Action goes down almost immediately. Throughout the story you are thrown through twists and turns about your true identity and the presidential assassination conspiracy that surrounds your past.
The weak gameplay really shoots XIII in the foot though. The game features a plentiful selection of weapons and objects to use against foes, but the majority of it isn't very satisfying to use. The espionage additions, a notoriously spotty gameplay mechanic, don't help the situation. Boss fights against notable agents are also flawed, as bosses take way too long to kill and you'll grow to hate the obsolete medkit health system. There are some neat gadgets introduced at various points and sniping enemies with a crossbow is pretty entertaining, but most of the content is too bland and not very enjoyable to play.
The cel-shaded graphics and comic book presentation are the true standouts. The graphic novel nature successfully transfers into video game form through the use of visual onomatopoeia, speech dialogue displayed as speech bubbles, and notable gameplay events like headshots are highlighted through comic book panels on the screen. It's all very neat and has held up well over the years. There are some graphical blemishes though, with some less than stellar textures throughout and character lip synching during speech is awful. Audiowise, it's very cartoonish, which works in this case. The voice acting can be a little over the top and the music is run of the mill 60s super spy stuff, but it all fits well. XIII's look has held up in the five years since its release, but you'll need to be truly enticed by the plot to inspire a trudge through the mediocrity.