Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3
Publisher: Sierra
Developer: High Moon Studios

Darkwatch developer, High Moon Studios is putting the finishing touches on The Bourne Conspiracy. The goal of the project is to bring the source material of the books home to gamers with the same high octane action that the movies are known for. We’ve been playing through a build with quite a few levels here at PopCultureShock for awhile now and we think that so far the team is well on their way to making that happen.

Perhaps the most impressive part of the game, as in the movies, is the way in which the hand to hand combat is portrayed. High Moon has done a very good job so far of coordinating the camera angles and movements while cutting frames from the attack animations similarly to the way it was done in the movies.

The mechanic that really helps in this regard is the Takedown. When fighting, players gradually build up their adrenaline bar, which is separated into three parts. Each time one of those portions of the bar is filled, players will be able to press a button to perform a Takedown. Takedowns are different from the standard punches and kicks and are scripted, cinematic sequences that typically use the environment to great effect. Remember when Bourne took a book and did his own rendition of the Star Trek 3 piece combo (more like a 15 piece combo)? Or what about the time when he took a pen and hit every pressure point in someone’s arm? Those are the kinds of things Bourne does when he uses Takedowns. Although these sequences aren’t interactive, the way that you build up and earn them by mixing them in with your normal moves makes it a reward to execute and watch them.

The mode in the game that could use the most work right now would have to be the driving portions. While this is an action game with no aspirations of being a Forza or Gran Turismo (or even a Test Drive for that matter), the handling and feel for the cars is way too light. If High Moon could add a little bit of weight to the vehicles, it would go a long way towards improving the playability of those scenes. As it is now, it feels like you’re controlling bumper cars and it is nowhere near as memorable as the fighting scenes.

As gamers, we see our fair share of licensed properties, whether from movies, books or other media. Most of those games are instantly forgettable as well. If High Moon Studios can polish up a few rough edges, they could have a hit on their hands and lay the foundation for franchise that can stand on its own. The Bourne Conspiracy will release in June of this year.