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true Game: The Bourne Conspiracy Genre: Action Platforms: XBox 360, PS3 (Reviewed on PS3) <img src="http://www.gamervision.com/contributed/1214241680NT81f7mExN.jpg" width="336" height="387"> </img>I was never a big Robert Ludlum fan. My knowledge of the Bourne series comes from the character’s portrayal from the highly enjoyable movie stylings of Paul Greengrass and Matt Damon. When word of a game based on the character first started circling, I was mildly interested. Take a dab of stealth from Splinter Cell, mix it with a splash of the shooting from Syphon Filter, and stir in some CQC from Metal Gear. That sounds like a game a lot of people would like to play. Unfortunately, High Moon Studios went in another direction.First things first: PS3 owners will have to deal with a mandatory 4GB install before even hitting the start button. Honestly, I’m getting a little tired of mandatory installs. I imagine all the folks with 20GB and 40GB PS3’s are getting tired of them too. It’s getting to the point where one day you’re going to have to start choosing games based on the space you have left on your hard drive. That’s no way to game. So after the 10-minute install, I’m finally allowed to take control of one of the world’s most dangerous government agents. The game begins with the requisite training level where I’m charged with confronting an assassin hired to kill me. I’m introduced to the worthless “Bourne Instinct,” which is supposed to enable me to see things normal people couldn’t. Instead, all it does is highlight threats a la Haze’s nectar, and show me objectives/exits on the map. Later you can use it to slow time in the driving missions to better maneuver through traffic, but the driving is so terrible it makes Driver 3 look like Gran Turismo.<img src="http://www.gamervision.com/contributed/1214241704FRBCnm6uEm.jpg" width="440" height="248"> </img>But you’re not picking up a game based on Jason Bourne to see things in a different light. You’re getting it to unleash $30 million worth of Treadstone hand-to-hand combat training on some bad dudes. High Moon decided instead of giving you an arsenal of moves to break out, they would let you punch and kick someone until a meter filled up. By pressing one button when the meter fills, Jason will unleash a string of combos on the poor sap. All of which you get to watch while holding the controller patiently in your hands. Having just completed my first run through of Metal Gear Solid 4, which has a detailed combat system utilizing many of the moves we all saw Bourne pull off in the films, this is just unacceptable. It may seem unfair to compare this game to Kojima’s latest opus, but the games share similar fundamental principles (stealth, combat), so it’s hard not to play one and wish it had gameplay elements from the other. Jason Bourne hardly touches a weapon in the films, and after seeing how he uses them in the game, I can see why. The shooting mechanics are so awkward, I found myself charging into gunfights with my fists swinging hoping to engage in a button-press sequence. Honestly, I don’t mind interactive cutscenes or button-mashing mini-games as long as they’re spread out amongst actual gameplay. I just wish High Moon had left controlling combat up to me, and not the circle button.<img src="http://www.gamervision.com/contributed/1214241736oATOrF4kR8.jpg" width="440" height="248"> </img>While the AI is serviceable, there were some interesting flukes. Enemies follow the American Ninja style of attack where only one will fight you at a time as others watch. Unless of course it happens to be a specific set piece where multiple enemies will face-off with you so you can unleash a meter-fueled combo. During shootouts, there are some interesting bullet physics in play. The AI’s ability to shoot you through objects is my favorite. Of course, the linearity of each level doesn’t help much in allowing you another way to approach any situation giving you trouble. You will die often, frustratingly without knowing where the bullets came from. Playing through these parts and dying over and over again will have you digging your nails into your DualShock 3. Boss fights are pretty simple since all you have to do is attack until your meter fills up and unleash a Bourne beating. Wash, rinse, repeat a few times, and then it’s on to the next objective. The sad thing is this license has all kind of potential. Instead of maximizing their use of the source material, High Moon made a game stuck in the middle of an interactive movie and a mediocre game. If you’re an absolute Bourne junkie, and you have a 360, give the game a spin on that console. I’d say you could rent this on your PS3, but with that 4GB install, there’s much better games you could be devoting your hard drive space to. If by chance there happens to be another game made with the Bourne name attached to it, I hope whoever develops it saw the missed opportunities High Moon had and can capitalize on them.<img src="/contributed/1179941584gmmg5YQnz2.jpg" width="275" height="175"></img><img src="/contributed/1204908946PhJqwa60Wv.jpg" width="275" height="35"> <a href="http://www.gamerankings.com/"><img src="/contributed/12049090913D6uenyIJz.jpg" width="111" height="42"></img></a><a href="http://www.metacritic.com/games"><img src="/contributed/1204909164Gepk74pXtB.jpg" width="154" height="51"></img></a> Related Articles:<a href="http://www.gamervision.com/gamer/coop/news/article/battlestar_galactica_mmo_announced/">Battlestar Galactica MMO Announced</a> <a href="http://www.gamervision.com/gamer/sarah/news/article/james_patterson_to_make_video_game/">James Patterson To Make Video Game</a> <a href="http://www.gamervision.com/gamer/coop/reviews/article/metal_gear_solid_4_ps3">Review: Metal Gear Solid 4 - PS3 </a> </img> review

2008-06-23T13:33:38-04:00

4022

2009-02-02T09:54:53-05:00

2008-06-23T13:33:38-04:00

5.0

the_bourne_conspiracy_ps3 published Interactive Cinema At Its Mediocre-est. -

2009-02-02T09:54:53-05:00

825