http://indianajones.lego.com/en-us/games/default.aspx
http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/adventur...g=tabs;summary
UPDATE:
http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/adventur...&mode=previews
Update:
Review in
http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/adve...;picks;title;4
The third time is the charm for Traveller's Tales--logical puzzles and great offline co-op play make this the best Lego game yet. Catch all the whip-swinging, gunslinging, boulder-crushing, monkey-brain-eating action in this video review for Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures.
The Good
The Bad
Like the Lego Star Wars games, Lego Indiana Jones is primarily a puzzle-solving game with light combat and platforming elements. While the core experience remains largely unchanged from the previous games, the puzzles are constructed in a much more intelligent and logical manner this time around. Previous Lego games had bewildering sections that would stump even seasoned puzzle-solving veterans, not to mention frustrate casual fans who were just looking for a Star Wars fix. Those tricky sections still exist in Lego Indiana Jones, but now they have been relegated to the bonus missions. Though you'll still spend the majority of your time trying to figure out how to open locked doors or cross perilous pits, the pacing is never halted by overly complex solutions.
The mine cart will make your stomach churn--in a good way.
Even though the adventuring is more streamlined this time, the obstacles you'll encounter are quite diverse. Every level seems to throw a new trick your way that will continually keep you on your toes. The most amusing puzzles involve the severe phobias with which certain characters are cursed. Indiana has no fear swinging across molten lava with his whip or leaping over spikes while being run down by a giant boulder, but if you put a snake in front of him, he'll become nearly catatonic. The boss battles also provide a unique twist in every encounter. From having to figure out how to hurt a man who can regenerate his health to fighting against someone who won't stop jumping, these encounters serve as a fun diversion you'll have to solve quickly, lest you find your Lego head popped clean off. Other sections have you using elephants to cross mud, driving a motorcycle while being chased by a group of bikers, and trying to get a monkey to part with some dynamite. There is also a nauseatingly awesome mine cart ride in The Temple of Doom section that, though brief, is quite exhilarating.
Though the puzzle aspects alone are enough to make Lego Indy worthwhile, the humor makes it enjoyable even for people just watching the action. The silent cutscenes take you through the journey in a much sillier manner than Steven Spielberg originally envisioned. No, you won't see the Lost Ark melt some unfortunate Lego person's face, but you will see Indy's father fall asleep (because he's old!) and even the Harrison Ford look-alike donning a blonde wig to deceive a foolish guard. The humorous touches go beyond just the cutscenes; there are funny nods all around you. If you have time to marvel at the decor when trying to escape from a burning castle, you might see a painting of the Sphinx with a Lego head. Traveller's Tales also included a few references to its previous Lego games. You can see soldiers wearing Darth Vader masks, Belloq mocking C-3PO, and a clever homage to Hoth hidden away in one level.
It's worth playing the levels a few times just to pick up on all the references, but there is a much more tangible reason than that: They are jam packed with hidden goodies. It's actually impossible to get all the bonus items your first time. There are a number of different character-specific traits, so you'll have to unlock Free mode to see all that every level has to offer. The different traits help keep the tasks varied throughout the game. Indiana has his trusty whip, which can not only help him swing across gaps and grab objects from far away, but can also bring the ladies closer (and steal a quick kiss). There are also scholars who can decrypt hieroglyphics, smaller-sized characters who can squeeze through tiny spaces, craftsmen equipped with a wrench or a shovel, and bad guys who can enter secret Thuggie doors. You'll be lucky to finish 50 percent of this game your first time through, so it's overflowing with replay value.
Not everything is perfect in Legoland, though. The artificial intelligence is particularly awful. You'll need your AI-controlled pal to help you solve puzzles sometimes, but you'll find your pal less than willing in a few cases. This can be solved either by inviting a friend to play through the game with you (the best option) or plugging in a second controller to move both characters yourself. Trying to coax the AI to do your bidding can be an exercise in frustration, though. The fighting can also get repetitive, especially when a swarm of enemies continually runs at you while you're trying to solve a particularly complex puzzle. Bosses are usually protected by a troop of soldiers, making them more difficult to defeat. Finally, the jumping portions can be very inconsistent. It's not always possible to judge how far away you are from a platform, which leads to many untimely deaths and arduous retries. None of the flaws destroy the enjoyment, but it's disappointing to see the same problems from the previous Lego games rear their head once again.
The floor's on fire. See? And the chair.
The three versions of Lego Indy are nearly identical. The game looks best on the PS3 and 360, but the simple aesthetic works quite well on the Wii. The Wii version does let you use motion controls, but you'll probably ignore that option after it takes you five minutes to dig up a buried treasure. Though it can be fun to snap the controller like a whip if you're feeling feisty. You really can't go wrong no matter which Indy you choose.
Lego Indiana Jones serves as the expected progression from the Lego Star Wars games. The great pacing, humorous cutscenes, and challenging-but-not-cheap puzzles make this the most enjoyable Lego game yet. It's not the hardest game, but it has enough hidden goodies to make you play through more than once. Both newcomers and diehard fans of Traveller's Tales' previous Lego offerings will find plenty to enjoy here.
http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/adventur...g=tabs;summary
Quote:
| LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures takes the fun and creative construction of LEGO and combines it with the wits, daring and non-stop action from the original cinematic adventures that enthralled audiences everywhere (Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade). With a unique tongue-in-cheek take on the original adventures, LEGO Indiana Jones follows Dr. Jones escapades through the jungles of South America to the mountaintops of India. Fans can build, battle and brawl their way through their favorite cinematic moments, from Indy's entanglements with snakes to his dashing boulder run. Of course, pop culture's most iconic archeologist will whip through all the classic moments with the help of a host of supporting characters including Marion Ravenwood and Short Round. Players can also mix and match the body parts of more than 60 playable characters to create new heroes just as they could in the best-selling LEGO Star Wars games. Features:
|
UPDATE:
http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/adventur...&mode=previews
Quote:
It's only a matter of weeks before Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, the next big-screen adventure of everyone's favourite archaeologist, is released. LucasArts will follow hot on its heels with Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Trilogy on practically every current gaming platform available. We recently managed to snag some time with the PlayStation 3 build of the game, and it's clear that developer Traveller's Tales has so far managed to re-create the same charm and accessibility that made the Lego Star Wars games so appealing.;) Lego Indy is just as accessible as the Lego Star Wars series. For the uninitiated, Lego Indiana Jones breaks down the content of the first three films into six episodes per film in the same way previous Lego Star Wars games did with each of their source movies. Our last hands-on with the game focused on the first two levels of the Raiders of the Lost Ark section, so we decided to jump straight into the first level of the next section, based on the second film, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. This scene takes place in a Shanghai nightclub, where a white-suited Indy is poisoned by some Chinese gangsters. A mad scramble ensues with the good Indy trying to grab the antidote. As in previous Lego games, you can switch control between characters on the fly (the supporting character in this opening scene is the singer Willie Scott), and another player can jump in at any time. Cooperation between the playable characters seems like it will be as big a part of this game as it was with Lego Star Wars. You have to exploit the various capabilities of each of the characters to solve puzzles and defeat enemies. It's particularly important in this level, because the Indy character is handicapped due to the poison and is unable to jump to the same height or perform his normal attacks. Gangsters have surrounded Indy, and you will need to throw fake blue antidote bottles at the baddies until they spill the real thing. Willie has to carry most of the burden here, and although she doesn't have the same strength as Indy, she can jump greater distances (something she shares with the other film characters in the game). She also has a piercing scream attack that can shatter glass, which is useful for grabbing an essential item to get out of the room. Once down to street level, Indy and Willie are joined by Short Round, who is needed to crawl into small spaces and grab some vital car parts for the trio's getaway. There's a small taste of vehicle action here. Indy can drive the completed car around a short distance and slam into enemies, which is good fun if a tad brief. Finally, the trio moves into an airport, where after a bit of light puzzle solving, Indy, Willie, and Short Round make their getaway. The next level we played--the first in the Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade section--showcased much of the same cooperative action as the Shanghai section. This one takes place in Venice, with Marcus Brody and Elsa joining the action. Both Brody and Elsa share the same special move, which is the ability to "decode" special tablets that can unlock certain doors. This takes the form of a basic Simon Says-style minigame where you have to repeat a specific pattern that occurs on the tablets. Starting on the streets of Venice, the level moves inside a large library before heading underground to follow Indy and Elsa. The finale of this level takes place on the canals, with Indy jumping into a small speedboat to chase down the baddies. Fans of the Lego Star Wars series will be happy to hear that apart from some small additions to gameplay, Lego Indiana Jones feels very much like those games. That is, it's cheery, easy to control, and just a little taxing on the old synapses with the occasional tough puzzle to conquer. Indy himself is a fairly durable character to play, and his whip acts as a standard attack as well as a way to cross large chasms, pull levers, pull enemies closer to him, and more. Indy and the other characters can also pick up and use objects in attacks--chairs, spears, swords, and even guns can be used (although guns have limited ammo). There will be more than 60 playable characters in the final version of Lego Indy, and the ability to mix and match Lego pieces from various characters will also make a return. Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures will be released in early June on the PS3, Xbox 360, PS2, Wii, PC, PSP, and DS. Check back soon for our full review. |
Review in
http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/adve...;picks;title;4
The third time is the charm for Traveller's Tales--logical puzzles and great offline co-op play make this the best Lego game yet. Catch all the whip-swinging, gunslinging, boulder-crushing, monkey-brain-eating action in this video review for Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures.
The Good
- Great offline cooperative play
- Fun puzzles
- Tons of replay value
- Very funny.
The Bad
- Lousy friendly AI
- Respawning enemies.
Like the Lego Star Wars games, Lego Indiana Jones is primarily a puzzle-solving game with light combat and platforming elements. While the core experience remains largely unchanged from the previous games, the puzzles are constructed in a much more intelligent and logical manner this time around. Previous Lego games had bewildering sections that would stump even seasoned puzzle-solving veterans, not to mention frustrate casual fans who were just looking for a Star Wars fix. Those tricky sections still exist in Lego Indiana Jones, but now they have been relegated to the bonus missions. Though you'll still spend the majority of your time trying to figure out how to open locked doors or cross perilous pits, the pacing is never halted by overly complex solutions.
;)
The mine cart will make your stomach churn--in a good way.
Even though the adventuring is more streamlined this time, the obstacles you'll encounter are quite diverse. Every level seems to throw a new trick your way that will continually keep you on your toes. The most amusing puzzles involve the severe phobias with which certain characters are cursed. Indiana has no fear swinging across molten lava with his whip or leaping over spikes while being run down by a giant boulder, but if you put a snake in front of him, he'll become nearly catatonic. The boss battles also provide a unique twist in every encounter. From having to figure out how to hurt a man who can regenerate his health to fighting against someone who won't stop jumping, these encounters serve as a fun diversion you'll have to solve quickly, lest you find your Lego head popped clean off. Other sections have you using elephants to cross mud, driving a motorcycle while being chased by a group of bikers, and trying to get a monkey to part with some dynamite. There is also a nauseatingly awesome mine cart ride in The Temple of Doom section that, though brief, is quite exhilarating.
Though the puzzle aspects alone are enough to make Lego Indy worthwhile, the humor makes it enjoyable even for people just watching the action. The silent cutscenes take you through the journey in a much sillier manner than Steven Spielberg originally envisioned. No, you won't see the Lost Ark melt some unfortunate Lego person's face, but you will see Indy's father fall asleep (because he's old!) and even the Harrison Ford look-alike donning a blonde wig to deceive a foolish guard. The humorous touches go beyond just the cutscenes; there are funny nods all around you. If you have time to marvel at the decor when trying to escape from a burning castle, you might see a painting of the Sphinx with a Lego head. Traveller's Tales also included a few references to its previous Lego games. You can see soldiers wearing Darth Vader masks, Belloq mocking C-3PO, and a clever homage to Hoth hidden away in one level.
It's worth playing the levels a few times just to pick up on all the references, but there is a much more tangible reason than that: They are jam packed with hidden goodies. It's actually impossible to get all the bonus items your first time. There are a number of different character-specific traits, so you'll have to unlock Free mode to see all that every level has to offer. The different traits help keep the tasks varied throughout the game. Indiana has his trusty whip, which can not only help him swing across gaps and grab objects from far away, but can also bring the ladies closer (and steal a quick kiss). There are also scholars who can decrypt hieroglyphics, smaller-sized characters who can squeeze through tiny spaces, craftsmen equipped with a wrench or a shovel, and bad guys who can enter secret Thuggie doors. You'll be lucky to finish 50 percent of this game your first time through, so it's overflowing with replay value.
Not everything is perfect in Legoland, though. The artificial intelligence is particularly awful. You'll need your AI-controlled pal to help you solve puzzles sometimes, but you'll find your pal less than willing in a few cases. This can be solved either by inviting a friend to play through the game with you (the best option) or plugging in a second controller to move both characters yourself. Trying to coax the AI to do your bidding can be an exercise in frustration, though. The fighting can also get repetitive, especially when a swarm of enemies continually runs at you while you're trying to solve a particularly complex puzzle. Bosses are usually protected by a troop of soldiers, making them more difficult to defeat. Finally, the jumping portions can be very inconsistent. It's not always possible to judge how far away you are from a platform, which leads to many untimely deaths and arduous retries. None of the flaws destroy the enjoyment, but it's disappointing to see the same problems from the previous Lego games rear their head once again.
;)
The floor's on fire. See? And the chair.
The three versions of Lego Indy are nearly identical. The game looks best on the PS3 and 360, but the simple aesthetic works quite well on the Wii. The Wii version does let you use motion controls, but you'll probably ignore that option after it takes you five minutes to dig up a buried treasure. Though it can be fun to snap the controller like a whip if you're feeling feisty. You really can't go wrong no matter which Indy you choose.
Lego Indiana Jones serves as the expected progression from the Lego Star Wars games. The great pacing, humorous cutscenes, and challenging-but-not-cheap puzzles make this the most enjoyable Lego game yet. It's not the hardest game, but it has enough hidden goodies to make you play through more than once. Both newcomers and diehard fans of Traveller's Tales' previous Lego offerings will find plenty to enjoy here.
