Video game of the week: The Bourne Conspiracy (Xbox 360) review

Come back Matt Damon, all is forgiven...

Being an avid Bourne fans, we were wondering how long it would take for a Bourne videogame to materialise. Finally it's here, but it's a strangely mixed experience.

We suppose Sierra's main aim while putting this together was to make the player feel just like Jason Bourne (not Matt Damon - instead a new face altogether). Sounds simple enough, given there are plenty of games out there with the quintessential rugged-yet-razor-sharp protagonist at their centre. But with this in mind, we can't help feeling that they've missed a trick somewhere.

While The Bourne Conspiracy is a pretty looking game with all the punchy immediacy of the films, its biggest problem lies in the gameplay. And it's quite a problem.

The hand to hand combat, being fundamental to the game, does look and sound sensational, which is a relief given how much of it you have to do. Unfortunately it all feels a bit smoke and mirrors as there's not a lot to do other than punch, kick, or do the same only a little bit harder. The 'combos' you're supposed to pull off are painfully dull, but then you fill up your adrenaline bar until you can unleash a classic Bourne 'takedown' on your assailants.

Any normal person would deem this a perfect opportunity to get busy with some special moves, but it's at this point that the game completely removes any player control and simply does all the work for you. Granted, they're lavishly served up on a platter of pure pain, but it's the solo equivalent of your older brother snatching the joystick when you were eight years old and saying "Better let me do this bit." Whether it's down to laziness or just poorly thought-out, it's a real shame.

The less said about the driving sections the better. If you remember Turbo Out Run on the Commodore 64 then you already have a pretty good idea of how backward they feel. At least you have a seemingly indestructible car to see you swiftly through them in the first sitting.

Similarly, the gunplay feels unpolished. Although it bases itself on a familiar set of controls, the aiming system is from the Dopey Stormtrooper School of Marksmanship, frequently leaving you a sitting duck. Thankfully though, 'takedowns' are also available here and can get you out of a spot of bother if you can catch the quick-time events (or as we like to call them, 'lucky b**tard' buttons).

And this is where the paradox lies. As flawed as The Bourne Conspiracy is, it's still fun. Some transgressions are more easy to forgive than others, but we dare you to play half an hour of this and not feel just a little bit pumped.