The Bourne films are among my favourite in that genre. Matt Damon did a sterling job of bringing Jason Bourne to life. Sadly, for one reason or another, Damon is not featured in the game based on the character of Jason Bourne. It means the illusion is slightly shattered as you control your average joe as Bourne but if you can look past this – and the fact the game deviates from the plot of the first film – then there is some fun to be had here.

The game is set up for you to play through the film’s events, interspersed with flashbacks to previous missions Bourne has done so that the game isn’t shorter than it already is, as it’s a pretty short experience, clocking in at somewhere between 4 and 5 hours.

Like Wanted, this certainly isn’t a game you should pay full price for – you probably wouldn’t anyway as it’s been out a while. I picked it up in Game for £7.99 and at that price it is a worthwhile purchase (or rent it).

The Bourne Conspiracy uses an ‘adrenalin meter’ to assist you in combat. Square is light attack, with Triangle as hard attack and X as block. You can throw combos by basically mashing the attack button and holding either down will see Bourne perform a roundhouse kick.

By attacking you build your meter up (to a maximum of three) and can then press Circle to perform a takedown. Either hand to hand or with a weapon.

You are then treated to a glorious set animation of Bourne despatching his opponent in the brutal style seen in the film.

And if you charge it up to three you can then take down three opponents in one bloody set piece. 

There are JUST enough variants of these to avoid too much repetition – being honest coming out of playing a fairly helpless soul in Fahrenheit I never got tired of performing takedowns and being an overpowered secret agent was just was the gaming doctor ordered.

The combat itself did really drag though in the final third – it was really really repetitive  and a few new combos or moves would’ve helped immensely.

The storyline is much of a muchness – following the film with the flashbacks not particularily integral to the plot but welcome nonetheless.

You even have a driving section with the Mini in Paris which pretty much consists of holding the accelerator and steering where directed – not much of a challenge but something different at least.

The Bourne Conspiracy isn’t a terrible game, it has some inventive ideas it just feels like maybe they were trying to cater to too wide an audience. Certainly the combat could’ve been made more enjoyable but it was a fun few hours of gameplay and would be good for people looking for something not to taxing to blast through in a couple of sittings.

This gets a 7 rather than a 6 solely down to my enjoyment of the adrenalin takedowns.

7/10

This review was written by Greg Turner (and posted here with permission, of course), who posts to his very own blog, GregHorrorShow, where he reviews many games and movies. Or you can go and follow him on Twitter under the name of GregHorrorShow. You're really spoilt for choice, you know. We're so nice to you.