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13 of 13 found the following review helpful:
There's Always an Objective...Jun 05, 2008
By David Pickering
"Agentshades"
...and for The Bourne Conspiracy, according to the developers, that objective was that the players would "be Jason Bourne." They've succeeded, and along the way have created one of the most engaging action games in a long time.
Cons:
Grainy cinematics
Too many big guns for Bourne
I'll be taking a closer look at all of these in a moment, but for now, lets begin by examining the three basic areas of gameplay: Close Combat, Shooting, and Driving.
Close Combat in The Bourne Conspiracy lives up to the fight scenes in the films. By using the X and Y buttons, Bourne can execute light and heavy attacks on opponents. Holding down the buttons prepares a light or heavy kick, which is impossible to block, but takes about 2 seconds to prep. One of the unique aspects here is adrenaline. As you successfully land punches and kicks, you build up adrenaline, which can then be used to execute devastating takedown attacks, which allow you to use the environment (such as pens, books, windows, other enemies) to bash your foe to the ground. The combat flows well, and the only real issue here is that while you fight one enemy, his buddies all just circle the fight (occasionally they will try to hit you, but you can simply press a button to knock them out of the way and cancel the blow.) Overall, it works surprisingly well.
Shooting in Bourne takes place in a third-person perspective without falling into the trap of impossible aiming mechanics. Fighting here is cover-based, but unlike a lot of other cover-based shooting games, Bourne allows you to draw enemies out of cover by firing at their cover (distracting them or making them feel they are no longer safe). Here as well you have the ability to use adrenaline to fuel shooting takedowns, which, while not as impressive as the close quarters ones (Bourne usually just aims with a cool look on his face and shoots) they still provide a good deal of satisfaction. My biggest beef with the shooting is also pretty minor. Bourne's got too many guns! You spend a good deal of time using shotguns, SMGs, and even an AK-47. Those things bring to mind Rambo, not Bourne, who specializes in stealth and professionalism.
Driving is only featured in one level, but since it's a pretty iconic scene (the Paris Car Chase) it deserves a mention here. The driving system is similar to the one used in a lot of driving games, such as Grand Theft Auto or Crackdown. The only real difference here is that you can, as Bourne, use adrenaline to enhance your abilities by slowing down time to allow more precise driving. As a bonus, one of the Achievements available to unlock while driving is a reward for smashing up Paris as much as possible, always a nice touch.
Before I wrap up, there are a few more things to touch on. The so-called "quick action events" (an event requiring you to swiftly press a certain button during a cutscene to influence events) are a welcome break from the constant fighting and add variety to the game. Finally, as I mentioned earlier, the cinematics can at times be a bit grainy. I think the issue here is that the brightness during cinematics is turned up too high (and unfortunately changing the game brightness doesn't help)
Overall, the Bourne Conspiracy captures the heart of the Bourne films without trying too hard to be a "movie game". Aside from a few minor issues, this game is a solid title and hopefully the first in a franchise of games based on Jason Bourne.
5 of 5 found the following review helpful:
Needs work for the next two but a good game.Jun 17, 2008
By Jesse L. Church The game covers the first of a three part story about an assassin who is found floating at Sea in Europe and has to unravel his past and the "Conspiracy" around it. This installment is based on the Bourne Identity book with action elements from the movie.
Cons:
1. The game gives flashback into the character's past. Though nice in theory it completely gets rid of any idea of trying to follow the prime point of the plot, Finding Bourne's Past! Because of this if you hadn't seen the movies or read the books then you'd have no real care about the plot.
2. Too damn short. It's a Next-Gen game. Why the does it only cover the first book? and when I say short I mean: All the levels, Extra, and Bonus stuff in less than 10hrs and that's replaying a few missions for find items.
3. I would have liked a little more to the HtH fights. You get 4 actions: Light, Heavy, block & adrenaline. The later needs to build up in combat before it can be used. While it keeps the hand-hand simple it leaves you wondering, "Why isn't an assassin better then this?"
4. For the 360 why do I need Achievements for having less then 10% accuracy? Achievements are supposed to be good, not bad.
Pros:
1. The game keeps you on your toes. Even the when a cut scene happens you better hold onto the controller.
2. Character doesn't look like Matt Damon. That's not a jab. I liked this becuase it gets rid of the idea this is based solely around the movies.
3. The Sound track will get stuck in your head.
4. The extras, when unlocked, are very good for the first game.
5. Even with the combat being as simple as it was I still had several times of holding my breath in a boss fight.
6. After the first few levels head shots will become second nature, and it will need to be.
7. Building up the adrenaline meter to drop 3 targets at once.
I hope the second and third improve on these. If your a fan of the series buy it. Otherwise I'd say it's a rental or borrower.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
It'll get your heart pumpinJun 18, 2008
By Too Old for Games
"casualgamer"
They did a good job of producing a game that's fast-paced and action packed. Shooting mechanics aren't good, but it's not meant to be a shooter. The hand to hand combat sequences look good and incorporate your surroundings. But the only thing i didn't like is that the fighting consists of blocking and then attacking. You could block all day long if you wanted to without injury. Then there are the mandatory buttons you have to hit at the right moment to initiate a choreographed sequence. You either like it or you don't. I didn't, but it definitely keeps you on your toes at all times throughout the game. Graphics are good, but not great. It is a fun game and would recommend at least a rental; don't know about replayability. I guess if you wanted to beat the snot out of someone, you can replay the boss battles over and over.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Doesn't live up to full potential but still awesomeApr 12, 2010
By conservation84 The game isn't very long or difficult, but is a blast to play. The fighting is intense and just like the movies. The Paris car chase level is awesome and was giving my wife a panic attack she found it so intense. Only com complaints are that the bad guys are take bullets like sponges and the game play is very repetitive. But if you like the Bourne movies, you'll love the game. I highly recommend it to any Bourne fan.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Fun and good-looking, yet not quite specialJun 10, 2009
By Walker A. Bristol
"Have You Found FSM?"
The Bourne Conspiracy is the console adaptation of the 1980 book and 2002 film "The Bourne Identity". The game takes you into the mind of Jason Bourne, an assassin gone rogue who must fight to uncover a mystery about his past, through escaping buildings filled with policemen, reliving past missions and fighting hand-to-hand with trained mercenaries.
As an adaptation of the book/film, for it is inspired by both at points, the game is very faithful. Although the character looks very little like Matt Damon, he is very believable as a trained assassin and the cut scenes are cinematic and interesting. The major problem with the game's story is that it essentially reveals the mystery behind the series in the very beginning, whereas the book and the film were careful to let it play out in front of you. Granted, the story isn't what most gamers will be paying attention to here.
The most prominent aspect of The Bourne Conspiracy is combat: hand-to-hand, gun fighting and car chases. The hand-to-hand combat is a mixed bag. It looks fantastic visually and often you really feel like a karate master, but sometimes it reaches a point where you're just button smashing and hoping to get a good hit onto your opponent. Gun fighting is nothing special, but is easy to control and you will have the opportunity to use Bourne's "adrenaline burst" to make impossible shots and add some cool cut scenes into the middle of a fight. Car chases are rare and not very exciting.
All in all, The Bourne Conspiracy can be a fun game if you're really into assassin/secret agent type stories. You will feel professional at times and unexciting at others. If you can find it cheap, I'd recommend picking it up or at least renting it, for it is a pretty short game.
based on 24 reviews
( 24 customer reviews )
