Tactics for the Perfect Weapon

Published June 10, 2008

With Robert Ludlum's The Bourne Conspiracy™ for Xbox 360®, Sierra and High Moon Studios have nailed the lightning-fast, hard-hitting combat so iconic now to Treadstone's thirty-million-dollar weapon, Jason Bourne. From his devastating Takedown abilities to his stealth savvy and masterful use of the environment, Jason is well equipped to meet every enemy and challenge with instant decision-making and swift, controlled execution.

Ready for a takedown?

With the following tips at your command, no target, enemy or even fellow Treadstone assassin should stand in your way in your desperate search to reacquire your identity and come to terms with your past.

Mix it Up

With remarkably adaptive A.I., the enemies you face in The Bourne Conspiracy will quickly scorn and effectively block repeated combos. You've got to mix it up in every attack sequence to consistently land blows, never throwing the same combo back to back. This doesn't mean you can't use the same combination twice in a single combat encounter, but you've got to put each three-hit combo in your back pocket for a sequence or two before utilizing it again.

Passport Tracking

Each level boasts its own unique set of unlockable content, including concept art, and even musical tracks. You can unlock these items, along with a number of achievements, only if you've found every one of the ten available passports in the level. Keep the following in mind:

• A gentle, almost pulsing whirring noise can be heard whenever you're within a few feet of a nearby passport. Always take a moment after a battle to examine your surroundings, and to listen closely for the audio cue.
• Turn down the Music volume a notch or two in the Options Menu to hear the passport noise even more clearly.
• Use your map to locate and investigate side paths, alleyways, and rooms that branch off from the level's primary path.
• Don't forget to use your Bourne Instinct (tap Y), which will highlight any useful items, including passports, in your immediate vicinity.

You missed!

Retreat to Melee

If you prefer melee combat to gunplay, or you simply want to ration your hard-earned ammunition, try backing around a corner when a firefight ensues. Typically, this will force your opponents to slowly chase after you—often one at a time—allowing you to engage them hand-to-hand as they round the corner.

Environment Flash

Keep a sharp lookout for flashing elements in the environment, especially during boss encounters. If you can trigger a Takedown nearby, you'll be greeted with a particularly brutal contextual attack, and in the case of a boss, you'll inflict a fair bit more damage than your standard Takedown.

Takedown Health

A properly executed Takedown (B button) against a boss character will grant you a small but useful chunk of health. Keep your Takedowns in reserve, using them only when you've begun to take a beating at the hands of the boss. Trust me, it won't take long.

Hit the Noggin

Like so many games, scoring headshots triggers an instant kill. Aiming for the head though is even more important here as so many enemies wear body armor, occasionally requiring eight to ten shots to bring down. Add to that a number of accuracy-related achievements, and it's wise to very carefully line up single shots to the head rather than fire wildly away.

He has no idea …

Punch Interrupted

Bourne is almost always faster with his fists than are his enemies, even including some bosses. With practice, you can confidently interrupt an enemy's attack by pressing X (quick attack) just as you see your opponent begin their attack animation. Practice this in the early stages, so when the going gets tough later on, you'll be prepared.

Firmly Behind

Provided you're crouched down, you shouldn't worry about your opponent hearing you sneak up on them for a stealth Takedown. However, you must approach the enemy squarely behind them. Take an angle slightly to the left or right and you risk being spotted almost instantly.

Stealth Adrenaline Boost

If possible, always begin a combat encounter with a stealth Takedown on the nearest enemy. These one-hit-knockouts will add enormous chunks to your Adrenaline Meter, immediately granting you an advantage for the ensuing fisticuffs with the other nearby enemies.

Gun Holstered

You can crouch while holding and aiming your gun, but you can't remain crouched while on the move with a weapon drawn. Holster your weapon whenever you're not directly engaged in gunplay.

Don't Put it Down

Don't make the mistake of setting your controller down during the game's cinematic sequences. The cutscenes on display here are of a largely interactive nature, requiring you to keep your eyes peeled for on-screen button prompts. You're only safe on the Pause menu, so keep that controller in-hand at all times.

No one man or even an entire police force can stand in the way of Jason Bourne's quick-witted tactics and fierce combat skills for long. With the preceding tips and your own sharp reflexes, Bourne's reputation for victory should remain unscathed.

Article by Ryan Treit