Publisher: Sierra Ent.

Developer: High Moon Studios

Release Date: 6/3/2008

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The Bourne Conspiracy is based on the hit book and movie by author Robert Ludlum. I have good news for people who haven’t watched or read the book or movie; you didn’t have to enjoy this. The game is about a trained assassin by the government who tries to find his true identity and runs into and has to kill the people in his way. While the plot is a bit confusing, the voice acting is superb, the game uses the Unreal engine (Gears of War), and the game just looks and sounds amazing.

While Matt Damon is missing in the lead role, he won’t be missed since the new character is better and more likeable. The takes are really reminiscent of Indigo Prophecy, with the game being full of context-sensitive cutscenes. While there are essentially no mini-games, there are three parts to the game: fighting, shooting, and driving. The fighting is what you’ll be doing a lot of, and it’s just gruesomely satisfying. You have a heavy attack and a light attack, and you can use these in a 3-combo attack. You can charge either one for a light or powerful kick as well. You can block and strafe around the opponent. When you get your adrenaline bar up (there are three segments you can charge by connecting hits), you can perform a takedown, which is a brutal and deadly scene of using the environment, breaking some limbs, and smashing heads into walls.

While all of this sounds simple, it is, but it’s really satisfying and doesn’t really get old. You also have bosses at the end of every level that have a health meter, and I can report that the AI in this game is really awesome. During the shooting sections, you can take cover, hold up to two weapons (a handgun and another weapon), and perform shooting takedowns (up to three, depending on how full your adrenaline bar is). You also have a cool run button that makes the camera shake while you run through halls, so it really feels like you’re playing a movie. While your shooting sections are pretty generic and nothing special, they work, and thanks to the game’s length, you won’t feel bored of this. There is one driving section in the game, and the car handles superbly. It’s just full of intense chasing.

While the game is full of so much action, it doesn’t last long, clocking in at about 5–6 hours. There is no multiplayer whatsoever, and the extras are a bit lame. If you’re looking for an awesome action rental, then look no further than The Bourne Conspiracy.

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