Lego Indiana Jones is the second franchise which UK studio Traveller’s Tales has given the Lego treatment after their successful games based on Star Wars. On the same vein as their previous game, Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures is a platformer with a greater emphasis on puzzles, and there is some light combat thrown into the mix. It also leverages the famous license to good creative effect. At its core is still a charming game with easy pick up and play gameplay and something designed to appeal to the entire family. Fans and kids should equally enjoy this re-imagining of the beloved franchise.
The story mode follows the plot of the 3 classic movies with each movie’s story divided into 5 – 6 levels. Bartlett College, where Prof. Indiana Jones teaches, serves as the central hub of the game. There are places to explore within the college area, which also serves as the point from which any of the three story levels can be accessed. Each level present in the story mode aims to recreate key moments from the movies. Story progress is represented through silent cutscenes with a unique Lego twist. These are scenes that fans will recognize instantly and they provide chuckles aplenty. They are short and brilliantly directed, employing simplistic gestures and character animations to great effect.
Most levels have the primary character along with a second or third character, in situations which require you to find objects, assemble objects, pull levers, etc. in order to proceed. Some sections require you to alternate control between different characters in order to proceed with an action. While all characters can pickup required objects and use them in various situations there are sections where only certain characters with specific physical attributes can be used to progress. Like Indy crossing larger gaps using his whip, or sections which only female characters can access as they can jump higher. The puzzles are generally simple but logical, and fit in well with the overall theme of the game and the environment of the level. The control scheme is simple, and AI characters generally play their part in cooperative puzzles fairly well, only occasionally slipping up and taking a little longer than necessary. These issues are however always mitigated by the presence of offline coop mode. Plugging in a second controller at any time allows you to take control of any of the secondary characters at any point in the gameplay.
Combat, which is a smaller part of the gameplay experience, is a simple one button mashing affair. Empty handed Indy or any other character merely punches the enemy. Additional complexity is sometimes introduced by allowing players to pickup weapons like guns or swords that are dropped by enemies. Sometimes when an enemy is close to Indy and the button is pressed at the appropriate time Indy executes some simple finishing moves on enemies that are a treat to watch. There is little challenge in the combat as dying causes the player character to re-spawn after a few seconds at the same location. This has probably been put in to appeal to a younger audience, and to permit the flow of the game whose main focus is on environmental puzzles and object fetchquests.
Though the basic game play mechanics remain the same for all three movies, the varied environments and the unique secondary characters make the walkthrough for each game feel compelling and different. Throughout the levels players will come across certain areas that are cordoned off and cannot be accessed on the first playthrough because they are only accessible by specific characters. When a level has been completed once in the story mode new characters get unlocked and the level becomes available for free play. In free play players can choose the characters they wish to play with and as a consequence areas of the game that were locked before can be accessed this time around. These unlockable areas are built throughout the levels and lend tons of replay value to the game. Hidden objects are also scattered throughout the game and take some effort and thinking to get to. Completing the main walkthrough for all three movies only got us 48 percent completion so there is still a vast amount of gameplay available after finishing the story mode and “completists” will have a great time with the game.
The art direction of the game is very appealing and seeing the characters and environments rendered with a unique Lego twist can be quite amusing at times. Though the graphics may not be cutting edge, they are well stylized and filled with vibrant and refreshing colors. They fill the game with a unique personality far removed from anything you have seen in regular games. The game is dialog free, so the music is what sets the mood for the game. The music from the movies, which we all know and love, works just as well in a Lego game. The rest of the aural experience is comprised of the little sounds you hear in the environment and when using different objects.
The Final Word: Lego Indiana Jones The Original Adventures is a great take on the venerable series and satisfies avid fans and younger gamers alike. Offline co-op also makes it a great group experience and it is a game smeared with enough charm to have a wide appeal. Though it may lag in the technical department, the game makes up with sheer personality to let us recommend it wholeheartedly to the young and the old Indy fans that are still young at heart. For the non-fans too, this is one of the coolest light-hearted adventures you can experience this generation.
Presentation: 7.8/10.
Graphics: 7.5/10.
Sound: 8/10.
Gameplay: 8/10.
Lasting Appeal: 8.5/10.
Overall (not an average): 8/10.
- By Shantesh Patil