Review of Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures

Upon the full Saga release of LEGO Star Wars, we found INDY along with his LEGO game trailer. I was giddy with fanboy anticipation not only for the chance to replay RAIDERS of the LOST ARK, but for the chance to get the corresponding toys and the chance to see the LEGO retelling of many of the classic scenes. The re-teaming of game developer Traveller'sTales and publisher Lucasarts heralds the transition of the most recognizable archeologist this side of Laura Croft to LEGO form.

If you're worried that the INDIANA JONES LEGO GAME will be the same game as Star Wars LEGO just recycled using INDY's locales & characters, fear not. Besides LEGO Dr. Jones' striking resemblance to LEGO Han Solo, the simple action, uncomplicated controls and the team play of the first game, INDIANA JONES is it's own unique game. This time characters have a broad range of physical abilities: ladder-climbing, sneaking, cliff- shimmying and cliffhanging (literally) and this time even swimming. Combat gameplay in the game is also altered, sure at times INDY has got a gun, but ammo is an issue and INDY is more of a brawler, than a shooter. Characters use what is at their disposal, chairs and other surroundings that can be broken, then used as throwing weapons.But, what of INDY's most recognizable tool, no not his fedora, his whip, does it do more than the teaser character in Star Wars? The answer is YES. Now more than just a grappling hook, the whip is an important multifunctional problem-solving game tool and a major part of unlocking levels.

There's still plenty of constructive creativity and puzzles to solve. There is still plenty of pantomime LEGO-style story recreations of the original 3 films (Raiders, Temple of Doom, Last Crusade), true to the wicked sense of humor that makes the LEGO games so much fun to play and watch. What's also familiar is the family-accessibility of the game. In fact, in spite of the story's placement in history, taking place in the late 1930's and early 1940's, it should come as no surprise that there are NO SWASTIKAS on any of the LEGO German soldiers that INDY fights.

There are loads of unlockable-playable characters from the films, 60 in all, some INDY variations, side kicks and characters like Brody, Short Round, Willie Scott, Toht, Henry Jones Senior, Sallah, Marion Ravenwood, and rogues gallery of LEGO villains like Rene Belloq. New with the release of this video game, characters each have skill and quirks unique to them: for example INDY reacts to his fear of snakes, Henry Jones Sr doesn't like rats, but can do an "umbrella slide," Sallah is better a excavation. This feature makes the sidekicks as important as Indy and two play co-op is essiential (althought the Wii doesn't offer online co-play this time). These characters can be used for the LEGO staple the "mix-and-match" bodyswapping (found in the college Art Dept.), just like the toys. Cross-gender swaps are always good for a laugh.

Like Star Wars, the opportunity for game replay is there , instead of the Cantina Hub, Indy's school of Professorship Barnett College serves as the pre-game menu. This is where your artifact go after collection and where you can pick and chose the characters, films and scenes you will play upon re-entry (like before unique characters will provide new play options and unlockables). On Indy's campus you can unlock extras, buy characters and special features.Speaking of extras...Look for the Star Wars Cantina hidden in Cairo (with Disco Indy theme music, too), also look for other SW guest appearances throughout the game.

Ultimately, the game sticks to the LEGO formula and ultimately it works well. We can look forward to the LEGO adaptation of INDY IV. ormaybe LEGO Young INDY Chronicles, I for one can't wait to play the LEGO Picasso and the LEGOAl Capone. Seriously, the LEGO BATMAN, will probably be pretty good (without Lucasfilm behind it), but the LEGO / Warner property I most want to see is the reboot of the LEGO HARRY POTTER games. The CREATOR Harry Potter and CREATOR Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets weren't very good, the over-focus on building and virtual blocks. The current format will make the 7 books of the Potter series much more bankable and playable. I've got a good feeling about this...




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