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Better Than Most Movies Gone Game

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 15 / 18
Date: June 05, 2008
Author: Amazon User

Pros:

+Very good graphics
+Good music
+Simple gameplay that's easy to grasp
+Has a good level of action the movies are known for
+Feels a lot like the movies

Cons:

-The gameplay gets repeitive
-It's short
-There are a couple of camera issues

When it comes to video games, those based off movies are typically just an average affair. Usually there isn't that much effort put into it and it quickly becomes nothing more than a cash cow. It's hard to say that about The Bourne Conspiracy. On one hand, it is pretty much based off a movie, on the other hand, it seems like there was a lot more care and devotion put into this game as it didn't have a movie to meet the release date of. As a result, you get a game that suffers from less problems than most video games based off movies. There are still a couple of the same old problems, but you don't mind them nearly as much because regardless of what it seems, you're getting a much better quality game.

If you've seen The Bourne Identity, then you already know the basic premise of the story. The Bourne Conspiracy gives you a chance to see some of the events that happened before the start of the movie. Overall, though, you're ultimately playing The Bourne Identity. The game presents itself a lot like the movie does. There are some good cinematics here and even some good voice work to accompany them. A lot of music is pulled directly from the movie. In terms of feeling like the Bourne movies, The Bourne Conspiracy does a bang up job. As you watch, and even as you play, you really feel like you're part of the Bourne universe. Not to mention the game just looks good all around with detailed environments and good character models. The only real problem with the production values is that the Jason Bourne doesn't look that much like Jason Bourne. He doesn't sound much like Jason Bourne either. That still doesn't mean you won't feel like Bourne as you play.

In many games based off movies, the gameplay always suffers more than anything. Becoming repetitive very early on or just not going the distance to be engaging enough. The Bourne Conspiracy makes an attempt to be better than those games and it actually does a fairly good job. For the most part, combat is engaging and exhilarating. You can string together combos and there's even an adrenaline gauge that allows you to perform some brutal attacks on your enemies. The best part about the combat system is that it keeps you on your feet. There are times when it can become a button mashing affair, but for the most part, your enemies aren't so dumb that they will stand there and get wailed on. Something very few games adapted from movies can attest too. It does become somewhat repetitive after a while, but at least there's variety as you can string together different sorts of combos.

Ever since Resident Evil 4 debuted in 2005, the mechanic of having to make quick button presses during a cutscene has become popular. Even overplayed. While it has its place in The Bourne Conspiracy, this little trend is starting to feel a little gimmicky. There's nothing wrong with it. It works just fine. Some would even say that The Bourne Conspiracy is a game that should have something like this because of the movies intense action and Jason's quick reflexes. The big problem is that it's overplayed quite a bit in this game.

The moments where you use a gun are a bit more fun than the hand to hand combat. They're intense and work out just as well. You have to be a bit precise in your aiming, however. There's no feature that locks on to your enemies automatically. Sometimes you'll come out of cover and sustain damage simply because you couldn't line up the shot in time. However, this is something you can easily adapt to. These moments are a bit better than the hand to hand combat because they're not quite as repetitive.

The Bourne Conspiracy isn't perfect, however. As mentioned earlier, it does suffer from the same things as some movies gone game have suffered from. As I noted, the hand to hand combat can be repetitive. The camera is a problem, getting in a little too close at times instead of letting you observe your surroundings. While the game is really neat to look at, there are times when you'll see enemies appearing through walls and whatnot. Though, that's hardly a problem. For the most part, The Bourne Conspiracy does a bang up. However, the big thing this suffers from is the same thing almost all games based off movies do: It really isn't that long. There's only so much you can put into a movie-based game. At the very least, however, The Bourne Conspiracy doesn't feel like a game that was rushed through development. There are no horrible bugs, and while some of the gameplay is repetitive, there's enough variety to keep it interesting. Top that off with the fact that the game isn't all that hard either. It's very straightforward.

Easily the best part about The Bourne Conspiracy is that it carries the atmosphere of the movie very well. There's a lot of intense action here. In terms of emulating what made the movies good, The Bourne Conspiracy delivers. You're probably better off sticking with the movies, but at least it makes for a good companion.

There's Always an Objective...

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 6 / 6
Date: June 05, 2008
Author: Amazon User

...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.

Pros:

Excellent Combat Mechanism
Realistic Shooting Mechanic
Captures Jason Bourne Flawlessly
Powerful graphics

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.

Gets the Adrenaline pumping!!!!!!!!!!!!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 4
Date: June 05, 2008
Author: Amazon User

This a good change of pace from most action or stealth games.
If you have seen the movies then this is just like playing the movie. The fighting is very innovative and the take down moves are awesome. The fights look just as hardcore as they do in the movies.
The button press inserts never get repetitive and if you have to play a certain part over you feel good when you nail it just right.
If you loved the movies and the books then pick up the game. It's a nice change of pace to the regular action games on the market. challenging and fun are balanced equally.

Needs work for the next two but a good game.

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: June 17, 2008
Author: Amazon User

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.

It'll get your heart pumpin

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: June 18, 2008
Author: Amazon User

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.

An ok summer release game

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 1 / 2
Date: June 12, 2008
Author: Amazon User

I wound up buying Bourne the other night.

Pretty good movie game so far, it follows the movie a bit which is good....but I am glad this wasn't a fall release.

The controls could be much tighter on this game and actually could have used some of the tricks done for Stranglehold.

The aiming is not all that great and the combos are so so. It could have used a leveling system or some kind of earning system but some of it gets repetitive after a while...this is definently a summer (something to do until Madden et al. comes) kind of game.

very boring

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 1 / 10
Date: June 04, 2008
Author: Amazon User

the graphics and explosions are terrible and the hand to hand is way too repetitive. the demo and game still have the same flaws the context sensitive button presses are terrible i want to control the action not press a timed button. the missions are stealth and running and very tiresome. overall a way too annoying game who ever did the combat moves ran out of ideas.

Dont waste your money.

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 0 / 1
Date: July 02, 2008
Author: Amazon User

The game is kind of a rerun of The Bourne Identity. The game story recreates scenes and you play the connecting parts between the scenes. The major issues mostly include the construction of the game. My major gripe is the movement of the player. You are either loping along at a normal walk or running at a dead sprint. The same goes for aiming, either slowly rotating your gun or zipping from one end of the screen to the other. Turning and maneuvering while moving is a pain in that you almost have to come to a complete stop before you can rotate your character to face in a different direction. Armed combat requires you to find cover, similar to Gears of War, except you cannot run to cover and hide in one fluid motion. You have to approach the right piece of cover(ex. you can hide on the right end of the brick wall, but not the left end), stop moving and wait for the hide icon to let you hide and hope you don't die while you wait for the computer to catch up. The hand-to-hand combat could have been great, but instead its just punch, kick, throw. Over all its just one big, poorly made shooting gallery that repeats over and over and OVER to no end. HORRIBLE.

Bourne Combining the Book and Movie

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: July 04, 2008
Author: Amazon User

First review so please don't be too harsh.
When I first bought this game wasn't sure what to expect as to graphics and storyline but wasn't dissapointed it combines shooting which usually works satisfactorily ,the driving section which the other drivers seem to be part time police officers as they will intentially try to cut you off during a chase,and the fighting where this game excels ;True to the books and the movies Bourne is a human weapon able to use the environment and his own body to take down opponents often larger and equally skilled as he is at hand to hand with no problems except for some difficulty on the boss battles often times the health bar for the boss will not move whereas your own drops quicker than the temperature during a blizzard; storywise as some of the other reviewers have said it incorporates some settings of the first movie into the story namely the embassy escape,the farm ,and the safehouse but most of it is played in flashbacks as to the events leading up to the movie such as how he gets to Mombasi in the first place.the big element of this game is the use of andrenaline which is built up through combining moves ,driving and shooting once the meter is full it can be used for one button shooting attacks or fighting multiple assailants with a single button press if the level is high enough ;extras include option of replaying levels and the chance to relive some of the first movies memorable fight scenes as Jason Bourne.

really cool looking

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: July 05, 2008
Author: Amazon User

The look of this game is amazing. You feel totally awesome beating everyone down with all the different take-downs. It's a little unrealistic in that you kill EVERYBODY, but then again, you are Jason Bourne.
I loved it. The overall feel is the best part about it.
Plus if you die it doesn't send you too far back so that you have to do a million different things all over again.

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