Metareview -- The Bourne Conspiracy (Xbox 360, PS3)

by Justin McElroy { Jun 6th 2008 at 4:45PM }

Despite our well-earned hesitancy about getting excited over a licensed game, we held out some hope for High Moon Studio's The Bourne Conspiracy. Maybe it was the kinetic energy of the trailers, or the company's insistence that they were putting a lot of thought into the game. Either way, we were ready to be hurt. But now that we're getting some of the first reviews we can see that our hopes for an above average game have not been dashed. Huzzah!

GamePro (75/100): "The Bourne Conspiracy, which is loosely based on the events of the first movie, doesn't suck. In fact, it's pretty good. Sure, it's not a true blockbuster but it's not total garbage either."

IGN AU (73/100): "A trifle repetitive and brief, The Bourne Conspiracy is a diamond in the rough. Well worth a look but it's not going to change your life. However there're two more films worth of material to adapt so maybe future Bourne adventures will give a little more control to the player and a little less to the button pressing mini-game."

Game Informer (68/100): "Though The Bourne Conspiracy is weighed down by broken gunplay mechanics, its thrilling hand-to-hand combat, slick presentation, and relatively short time commitment (eight hours) make it a perfect rental for fans of the films."

Tags: bourne-conspiracy, metareview, vivendi

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Burritoclock @ Jun 6th 2008 4:52PM

Pretty much sums up my impressions of the demo. I'll take the lesson learned here (never expect anything from a movie licensed game). I know everyone knows that already but every now and then you allow yourself to dream...

and it's always crushed.

giantenemycrab @ Jun 6th 2008 4:55PM

I must say, that's better than what I expected. I'll probably end up renting this one.

Shimrra @ Jun 6th 2008 4:58PM

Its not bad but its not great either. I would get this game when it hits the 20 dollar mark.

skullivan @ Jun 6th 2008 5:13PM

I find it funny how some reviews claim the gun mechanics are broken and the hand-to-hand combat is thrilling and others say the exact opposite. Personally, I'd side with 1up from what I played in the demo. Hand-to-hand was just mind-numbingly boring while shooting was fun.

IGN:
Hand to hand combat is excellent for the game. Unfortunately, shooting sections are particularly weak ...

1up:
the shooting sequences work pretty well, with excellent controls, a decent cover system (featuring extremely well-implemented destructible cover), and nice pacing. I've got fewer nice things to say about the hand-to-hand combat. It's not frustrating, hard to use, or poorly presented -- it's just simple and repetitive.

PojoMofo @ Jun 6th 2008 5:13PM

I am a big fan of the Bourne movies, so this is a definitely rental for me.

Anam @ Jun 6th 2008 5:17PM

But can he hide in a box?

(Note: I have not played any of the Metal Gear Solid games, but based upon other jokes about it, I am experimenting with the above comment to perform a study of box humor/heart ratio. Your participation in this study would be greatly appreciated and may or may not be rewarded with cake.)

Jack @ Jun 6th 2008 5:40PM

LMAO! BOX! GOLD! GOLD I SAY!

(can I has cake now please?)

PojoMofo @ Jun 6th 2008 6:08PM

The box is a lie!!!

Mr.ESC @ Jun 6th 2008 8:04PM

I COME FROM THE FUTURE TO BRING YOU SPOILERS OF METAL GEAR SOLID 4...JUST KIDDING BUT IN THE FUTURE ANAM EXPERIMENT WILL RESULT IN THE DESTRUCTION OF THE INTERNET ITSELF!!! OH AND THE CAKE IS A LIE,THE CAKE IS A LIE!!!!!

(IN THE FUTURE EVERYTHING MUST BE ON CAPS)

Vcize @ Jun 6th 2008 5:17PM

I'm a big fan of the Bourne stuff (movies and books) and I really enjoyed the demo as well so I'm definitely picking this up.

KingOfGods @ Jun 6th 2008 5:32PM

"...maybe future Bourne adventures will give a little more control to the player and a little less to the button pressing mini-game."

I agree with the IGN AU snipit. After watching the cut scenes on the demo I wondered out loud "hey, why didn't they let me do that"

Jack @ Jun 6th 2008 5:42PM

I didn't like the demo but I very much appreciate what it tried to do. I think developers should of come up with a game with similar mechanics a LONG time ago. Its something I've been dreaming about myself.

Anyway, with the semi-failure of this movie licensed game I hope that other developers will at least get inspiration (aka emulate/rip off/get an idea) from it.

Neil @ Jun 6th 2008 5:44PM

Do weak or average games not get 60% or below anymore???

TX2Step @ Jun 6th 2008 5:52PM

If this game ends with the "Moby music" at the end, I'm giving it an A.

PojoMofo @ Jun 6th 2008 6:11PM

If this game ends in Moby music, I will promptly shove sharpened pencils in my ears before i have a chance to kill myself.

TX2Step @ Jun 6th 2008 6:24PM

LOL! Awesome. I guess that what did it for me in the movie... it was just really cool to end each flick like that.

GOLD5 @ Jun 6th 2008 7:39PM

Not TOTAL garbage? I'm sold!

SithLibrarian @ Jun 6th 2008 8:47PM

The gunplay leaves a lot to be desired and thankfully there is only one driving level. But good lord are the hand to hand segments (a good 95% of the game) so much fun. I can't help but go nuts for the take downs. They're just so excitingly brutal.

More time spent polishing the gun fights and scrapping the driving level would have made this game even better.

Iridium @ Jun 7th 2008 12:30AM

I don't know I thought the demo was terrible. I couldn't stand having to restart a checkpoint 8 times because I hit the wrong button or a split second too late and I was caught. Every fight is the same and you can beat a guy senseless but the sequence won't end until you hit a button for a takedown. The driving level was absolutely terrible as well.

I think the game gets a few points for good presentation but overall its a broken turd of a game.

Deck @ Jun 7th 2008 3:30AM

I'm happy. I am a huge fan of the Bourne books and movies. For a lisenced game to come out like this and not be total garbage is (sadly) an accomplishment in and of itself.

Though i wont be buying it, and I doubt it'll do great on the sales charts... it may be a game that a lot of people rent. Plus, 8 hours sounds pretty good with decent mechanics in some instances for a rent. I'll go for it.