GameSpy Review of LEGO Indiana Jones

Way back when the gaming public was first introduced to the concept of a LEGO Star Wars videogame, it was easy to dismiss the idea as typical kiddy schlock. After its release, however, those opinions were quickly reversed: As it turned out, the game was awesome. People soon began to wonder what other franchises would benefit from a LEGO makeover. There were the obvious joke answers like "The Matrix" or Grand Theft Auto, but a more sensible response that kept popping up was Lucasfilm's other big series, "Indiana Jones." When it was eventually revealed that the LEGO Group had acquired the rights to produce play sets based on the "Indiana Jones" films, many assumed that it was simply a matter of time before a corresponding game would be produced.







Which brings us to LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures. It will probably surprise no one to discover that it plays almost exactly like LEGO Star Wars, but with Indiana Jones characters and settings. In each stage, you lead two or more blocky versions of the films' characters through a gauntlet of enemies and puzzles. The computer takes control of anyone you aren't playing as, and you're free to swap between any of the characters. Keeping with the LEGO theme, there are tons of objects made out of the plastic toys, and they can all be interacted with in some way. Many are simply there to destroy, allowing you to collect the LEGO studs that burst out of them. These act as the game's currency to purchase new characters and special abilities. Other items can be broken down and rebuilt into new structures, allowing you to get past obstacles. These clever interactions help recreate the feeling of playing with actual LEGO bricks.












There are various character classes that determine what special abilities they can use during the game. Indy, of course, has his whip which can be used to disarm enemies and swing across pits. Excavator characters can dig up buried treasure and mechanics fix busted machinery. Academic characters like Prof. Henry Jones, Sr. can decipher hieroglyphics, opening up new passageways. The funniest ability is possessed by Willie Scott, the notoriously whiny and obnoxious love interest in Temple of Doom. Here, she uses her eardrum-bursting scream to shatter glass. Figuring out how to take advantage of everybody's skills is essential to getting through the game.







Fortune and Glory, Kid







In fact, those who have mastered the LEGO Star Wars titles will discover that this game has a much greater emphasis on puzzle-solving than its spiritual predecessors had. You should also avoid blindly rushing into a new area, as there are plenty of booby traps set up to discourage unwanted visitors in the game's many ancient locales. Not only does this expanded adventure element bring the game in line with the movies that spawned it, but it also makes the game a bit trickier than the Star Wars titles. Some of the more elaborate puzzles might be a bit too complicated for younger gamers, requiring assistance from a parent or older sibling (or a strategy guide is you can't figure it out, either).





Once you complete a stage in the Story mode, you can revisit it in Free mode. Here, you aren't limited to controlling the characters that the story dictates -- you're free to choose any unlocked character to bring into the stage with you. This lets you use characters' special abilities to access areas and discover secrets that you couldn't get to while playing through the first time. Sometimes, however, you'll be able to gain the skills of other character classes by picking up and using tools scattered throughout the stages, a feature that wasn't in the LEGO Star Wars titles. Indy may not normally be able to fix broken vehicles, but if you can find a wrench, he can take care of it.







Likewise, you can also pick up weapons. Considering that Indy primarily fights with his fists, the added range that comes with collected weapons is important. In fact, the combat is pretty disappointing this time out. Usually you're forced to use your fists against enemies with weapons, meaning that you end up taking quite a bit of damage before getting within striking range. In the LEGO Star Wars titles, lightsabers allowed you to repel enemy fire and perform devastating jumping attacks. Blasters let you shoot lasers at your foes. Here, you're mostly stuck using your fists, which makes the fighting feel like a large step backwards.







Between stages, you're treated to series of pantomimed cinema sequences that help advance the plot. More often than not, these scenes are played for laughs, and Indy fans will get more than a few chuckles out of the comedic twists that they provide (wait until you see the fake golden idol that Indy tries to hand over to Belloq after his escape from the rolling boulder in "Raiders").












They're Waggling in the Wrong Place!







The game takes advantage of the Wii Remote's motion-sensing abilities for some of the characters' unique skills, but fortunately it doesn't force you to use them. If you want to crack Indy's whip or throw an object by flicking your wrist, you can. All of these moves can also be performed with a simple button press, though, so you needn't worry about any tacked-on or gimmicky controls. One time when you might want to use the motion controls is when you're building a LEGO structure. By shaking the Remote and Nunchuk up and down, you boost the speed of the build. It's a handy option, especially if you have the enemy bearing down on you.







As enjoyable as the game is, it's even more fun with a second player (although there's no online play, sadly). At any point during play, another person can join in on the action, instantly taking control of the AI character. If at any point they wish to quit playing, they can simply drop out of the action, returning control of the secondary character to the computer. When playing with two people, it's not uncommon for progress to slow down as one player catches up to the other, but it's a minor issue. Having a "real" partner makes solving the game's many puzzles all the more enjoyable. It also makes this a great family game as an older relative can play it with a child with both participants getting equal amounts of enjoyment.







That's the real charm of these movie-licensed LEGO games. The gameplay may be relatively simplistic, but with their great sense of humor, clever level design, and tons of hidden secrets, gamers of all ages can enjoy them. Now the real question is, how long do we have to wait until we see a LEGO-ized "Kingdom of the Crystal Skull"?

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