Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures
Publisher: LucasArts
Platforms: PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, PSP, Nintendo DS, PC
Rating: E10+ — Everyone 10+
Game type: Action
Rating: **** (out of five)
What’s the premise?
Grab your bullwhip and fedora out of mothballs and get ready to relive Indiana Jones’ greatest adventures — Lego style. Oh, sure, there’s action galore as you play through many of the memorable scenes from Raiders Of The Lost Ark, The Temple Of Doom and The Last Crusade, but it’s all done with that trademark sense of whimsy and humour that made Lego Star Wars such fun to play.
This game is most similar to…?
Lego Star Wars.
Is it suitable for younger gamers?
There is gunplay, fisticuffs and an awful lot of whipping of people and objects, however it is done in a cartoonish manner that is somewhat disarming. As always, it’s up to you to decide if the kid in question can handle it or whether you’ll find them using a chunk of garden hose to flay their siblings afterwards.
One player or more?
The co-op mode on the console versions is where Lego Indy shines brightest. While you can swap back and forth between multiple characters in solo mode, most of the levels are easier to get through and more fun with a friend. You just have to figure out who’s going to be Indy and who’s Marion Ravenwood, Willie Scott, Short Round, etc.
The (not-so) secret to success is…?
Fortune and glory. Don’t forget that while you’re trying to get to the end of every level without having your little Lego body disassembled, Indiana Jones is a treasure hunter and there’s plenty of it hidden everywhere. Take the time to explore and dig around and you’ll be rewarded handsomely.
What’s missing?
The handheld versions lack multiplayer. Boo!
And in the end?
Lego Indy is a surprisingly challenging puzzle/action combo, but with its iconic John Williams’ score and its wonderfully mischievous sense of humour, it’s sure to charm you.
