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It was inevitable with such incredible reception, that a video game version of the Bourne series would come along. The source material is ripe for the picking and Bourne himself is one of the most engaging characters that we’ve seen make the translation to digital form. With a mix of hand-to-hand combat, adrenaline pumping set-pieces and no nonsense approach to tense situations does The Bourne Conspiracy feel like a generic action game or does it do its name proud?
You take on the role of Jason Bourne through what is effectively the first film. The developers have slotted some extra content into the story, allowing for the expansion of a two hour film and the character of Bourne. If you’ve watched the film then you’ll realise that The Bourne Conspiracy follows the path of the first film almost to the letter, (despite the fact that the game’s supposedly sourced from the original book). Despite your grounding in the films, the ability to play as Bourne would have pulled in punters whatever the story. Sierra’s motives about licensing the book rather than the film are questionable, especially when the scenes bear humbling resemblances to scenes from the film. Even so, the game’s impact comes from a cinematic visual approach and action-packed gameplay. Or so was the intention. The ideas in the game could’ve worked extremely well, if not for the half cooked approach. There are more than a few holes in the gameplay where innovative ideas just fell through. Fortunately the game’s still playable, but the game’s more of a challenge than it should have been. We’ve not talking difficult, but rather frustration. The Bourne Conspiracy’s largest component is its fighting. The developers have attempted to bring in a complex system on combinations while at the same time mimicking the fluidity of Matt Damon in the films. In reality, High Moon have gone for a simplistic ‘few button’ approach that cloaks its shortfalls in cinematic animation. Combat is mapped to two buttons, X and Y; X being a light punch and Y being a heavy equivalent. Successfully stringing button presses together allows for eight combinations with a deeply visceral representation. Sadly the combat lacks a sense of satisfaction. You watch Bourne undertake the attacks you’ve pressed, yet combat is only ever one-on-one with strangely non-descript grunts. They seem to enjoy taking turns in attacking you, happily letting you duke it out with their comrades will they just mill around, throwing in an easily dodged attack with a press of a button. Realistically, you’d be swarmed but video game logic rears its peculiar head again. The most satisfying side to combat are the stylised takedown moves that you can end fights with. They involve taking an enemy and using the environment to knock them out in a single move. This usually involves grabbing a goon and shoving their head into a book, a filing cabinet or a door. Takedowns can also be done with firearms which is basically a one-hit-kill job. The cost is adrenaline which is built up by killing the bad guys with a variety of guns or with your fists. Your adrenaline bar holds a pool of three possible takedowns.  Thankfully The Bourne Conspiracy works wonders with its gunplay. It’s much more enjoyable than the hand-to-hand system and it becomes clear that the shortfalls are a result of cramming too many elements into the game. The view point is like any Third Person Shooter; over the shoulder and there’s a cover system available that sees Bourne snap to any wall / piece of environment. From there you can pop out and take a few shots at the clones that stand in your way. There is a slight flaw in the system. When you emerge from cover, your crosshairs will re-appear which means you’re required to line up your sights again to take down your attackers. It leads you vulnerable for a short time, which is completely unneeded. The game’s presentation is decent. Jason Bourne isn’t a digital map of Matt Damon, but a unique character. Your accompanying cast are detailed and look nice. Unfortunately, your opponents are the same faced ’47-guard’ or generically marked ’73-soldier.’ It does decrease the shine off an otherwise well presented game. The game will take you around 6 – 8 hours to finish. It’s by no means a terrible 6 – 8 hours, yet its combat could have been fleshed out. It could have been so much more. High Moon have produced an average game that’s marred by some poor developer choices / execution. The overuse of quick-time events and the yawnful driving sections drive it down to a must-rent rather than a must-buy. Score: 6/10
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