Robert Ludlum struck gold with his novel about Jason Bourne. The movies have done extremely well also. It was no shock when the game was announced. Let’s face it with a character like Jason Bourne it has some great possibilities. The problem with taking any well-known character and making a game based on their famous novels or films is getting it right for the fans. The game seems to have one thing already against it. Trying to tie it in with the movies has left it a little flat and in need of a different fighting system. Read the full review and find out what went wrong and right for the first Bourne game for the Xbox 360.

Gameplay

The Bourne Conspiracy follows Bourne’s huge task of finding out who he is and why he is full of bullet holes. Not to mention a ton of bad guys are chasing him and he has these weird flashbacks. Of course the game is trying to follow the first movie in the series but changes a few things to make it fit a video game. During the first mission I noticed the game seemed pretty cool and gave me the feeling of being Jason Bourne. This feeling lasted until the first fight and then the feeling was lost. They tried to mimic Jason’s talents by brutal takedown, counter takedowns and slow motion effects. The main problem with all this is they should have made a decent fight engine to go with the action. The game is part stealth, part action and then part button mashing!

I tried to forgive this and wanted to continue since the story and the game was drawing me in. Sierra and High Moon Studios couldn’t get Matt Damon to appear in the game. So they wanted to try and capture the feel of the first movie. They tried to do it with the special effects and simulating what Jason Bourne had in his arsenal of moves and training. The game reminded me of what worked so well for Midway’s Stranglehold. The main problem with this is it’s not the same character and it’s already been done. You need to get past the fact the game will require you play the game their way. Once I got around this, the game offers some nice touches and missions but has a growing trend that grows old. Even when in a shootout, you can trigger Bourne’s dead on aiming if you hit the right button that flashes. You will also be prompted at times to hit a button to avoid a boss’s swing or attack without warning.

After several flashbacks, some playable some not, you pick up on the beginning of Bourne’s search to find out how he learned all those moves and to shoot every weapon he picks up. They also decided to put a play in all the passports Jason owns. Throughout each level passports are hidden. You pick them up to earn boss battles and other hidden content. While the game is fun, it is a bit off balanced and the fun factor isn’t always that high. I will admit that the level layouts and story kept me interested, but it could have been better. The game needs a different fighting engine and control scheme. The good news is that you will get to travel and kill a bunch of bad guys. High Moon had no easy feat in making this game. It does seem a bit too familiar though and a bit over the top. Slow motion is a great effect but when it happens 5-10 times during a boss fight, it loses its appeal. The game is fairly short as well, but you may need to go back to get a missing passport or due to a failed attempt.

Control

The controls have issues but this is due mainly to the fighting engine. Once you adjust to the way they made the gameplay work, the controls are fine. The adrenaline meter system worked fine but seemed more of another gimmick. Learning curve is pretty simple and quick but mastering the takedowns and timing will take practice.

Graphics

Bourne Conspiracy Screenshot 1

 Graphically, the game looks good but Jason looks nothing like Matt Damon which hurts the realistic angle. I really enjoyed some of the levels and the way they made them destructible along with the lighting effects.

Bourne Conspiracy Screenshot 2

 The weapons looked different but sort of felt the same when used. The slow motion effects were done well just over used. I will say that there were a few levels that impressed me and looked fantastic. It just didn’t hold that look all the way though the game. Overall the game looks good but it could have looked great with more work.

Bourne Conpiracy Screenshot 3

Audio

The voice-over work was well done and pretty convincing but would have benefited if Damon and others would have been on the project. The effects help the game seem realistic but at times seem a bit flat. The music really is the main sound effect that helps the game and also acts as another character in the game. It helps set the mood of the game and is well done and scored perfectly.

Replay Value

The main incentive of replaying the game is to collect the achievement points for beating the game on a harder setting. Some gamers will find the game to be a blast and will get a lot of replay out of it. Most will play it on the default setting and be happy at that.

Bottom Line

Overall Score: 6.7/10.0

Additional Comments

If you take the game for what it is, you will have fun with it. The only sad thing is it could have been a better game. It was a huge undertaking trying to make a game and explain by actions the way Jason Bourne moves and reacts. It does suffer from the movie tie-in syndrome and it hurts the overall quality. Yet the game is fun if you just let go and play it for what it is. I would recommend as a rental unless you’re a diehard fan of the character.

Links

Official Website

Filed under: Reviews • Xbox 360

Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!