'Indy goes LEGO'
 Developer: Traveller's Tales
Publisher: LucasArts/Activision
Category: : Adventure
Multiplayer: 1-2 (local only)
Official Site
Platform: X-Box 360
Might look like: /
Date posted: 25 July 2008
Written By: Ian
We also test other games on
"PlayDevil.com Game Machine"
Iiiiiiiiinndyyyyyyyyyyyy
Well, Indiana Jones has a new film out (it's pretty good, but shame about the end- damn you George Lucas and your terrible script writing!), and a new LEGO range, so it seems fitting that after the massive success of the 'LEGO Star Wars' games that this classic Lucas franchise has got a LEGO game of its own.
However, without the space setting, can the game still provide excellent gameplay that's suitable for gamers of any age?
Trilogy Story
The story of the game works in exactly the same way as the Lego Star Wars games. You get 6 levels per film, which try to follow as closely as possible significant scenes from the films.
Occasionally the game extends scenes (often for the better, as with the boulder scene from Raiders of the Lost Ark), and at other times, some liberties have been taken to ensure that you always have a pal with you so you can always play co-op.
It's clear that developer 'Traveller's Tales' have spent a lot of time with the source material, and as big fans, because it's all presented in a fantastic manner, right from the hub of Indy's University, to the uproarious silent cutscenes.
Anyone who is a fan of the series of films will really appreciate the work that has gone here. And what can be cooler than playing as LEGO Sean Connery!
  
Lighter Gameplay
The gameplay in LIJ has changed a bit since the Star Wars games.
Those games were quite combat focused, but as goes with the style of the films, Indy is more puzzle focused and slightly slower paced than previous titles. You'll need to use anything from ancient books to bananas to solve the puzzles round the levels in order to progress through. Most of them are pretty intuitive, and don't exactly take a lot of brainpower, but are still fun, no matter what level you play at.
Combat, however, is weaker, despite better hand-to-hand mechanics. You will die way too much, because of limited ammo in weapons (but no way to tell how much), still dodgy aiming, and the sheer number of enemies.
It only really gets frustrating in one of the very last levels however, when you face limitless bazooka wielding enemies.
Even so, you have, as always, unlimited lives, so it is just more of a grind than it had to be to work through some areas.
However, some modes are missing from the game, such as the ability to play through all 6 levels in one go, so in some respects, the game feels a little bit light in terms of content compared to previous releases.
LEGO Graphics & Sound
The graphics in the game are pretty functional. While there have been improvements over the years, I still get the feeling that this is a high res PS2 game with a few new assets for the newer consoles.
Whilst the backgrounds are more detailed than before, you still see a lot of rough textures about in the distance and in cutscenes.
Character models and animations have made strides forwards, however, but still, this is not the first game that you would use to show of your 360 or PS3 to your mates. If you have the Wii version, then it will look about as good, perhaps suggesting that the older consoles and the Wii are holding back the more powerful machines.
The sound again really uses the source material really well. Pretty much every piece of score music from the films makes an appearance, and suits the action of the games just as well as the films. The sound effects are pretty solid too.
As ever, there is no speech in the game, as the cutscenes all rely on old-school silent humour, which still works really well. However, the game isn't likely to win any awards for great sound design to the simple nature of everything.
  
No Online Co-Op ?
Multiplayer has always been an integral part of these LEGO games, and that is no exception here. Co-op is so much more fun than going through by yourself, because you never get caught up by the AI being slow or stupid, the fights become a bit easier, and you can share in the hilarious cutscenes with a friend.
But, a crucial aspect is now missing. Online co-op, introduced for 'LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga', is now missing. Considering these games use the same engine, this is a real surprise, shock and disappointment.
Online was a great way to go through the last game, and was widely praised for being smooth and easy to jump into. There's no real reason why this feature should be gone this time, other than lazy development.
Conclusion
"LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures" is a good game. It also makes some great improvements over the Star Wars games. The new emphasis on puzzling improves the ganmeplay, and also stops it from feeling stale, which the franchise, after so many games, was in danger of. The cutscenes and use of music, and classic scenes from the film is also brilliant.
However, some crucial things are also missing. The graphics still lag behind other big releases on current gen consoles, even if the style works. The fact that online co-op is missing is totally baffling as it was in Lego Star Wars: TCS, and a real disappointment. Also, the gunplay is poor, with guns that run out of ammo far too quickly, resulting in far more hand-to-hand combat. Whilst it's more satisfying than before, you still end up dying a lot more than in previous titles. Then, the lack of modes compared to previous games is also surprising. It almost feels like a budget LEGO release.
Therefore, despite the improvements, the game still feels like a step back from LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga.
If you love Indy, and you love LEGO games, then you'll still have a lot of fun, but you may just feel a little short-changed by the experience.
-Ian
Pros:
+ Hilarious cutscenes
+ Great use of licensed material
+ More emphasis on puzzles
Cons:
- No online co-op
- Missing modes from Lego Star Wars
- Bad gunplay
 
 
Up
Previous Page
If you want to review your favorite game, or if you work with a computer game company and want your products reviewed, mail info@playdevil.com.
All contributions are welcome.
Join Video Game Network Exchange
Any problems and/or suggestions are always appreciated on
webmaster@playdevil.com
Nothing of this entire Site, animation & logo's included, may be reproduced, stored, saved, transmitted, in any form or means, electronic, written or otherwise without the prior permission of PlayDevil.
Other Logos & Names are Copyrighted Material of its respectful owners.
All Rights Reserved.
PlayDevil Productions © 199/8-199/9-200/0-200/1-200/2-200/3-200/4-200/5-200/6-200/7-200/8
"rip your own stuff"
|
|
)
)
)
)
)
)
)