LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures (Xbox 360) review on HonestGamers

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Review by Felix Arabia
November 24, 2008

Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures is targeted toward children, but adults will like it. Adults without children will probably enjoy it the most, as they’ll likely have experienced the Indiana Jones original trilogy and catch the anachronistic nuances displayed throughout the game. I’m considered a young adult and act like a child according to some older adults, so you can imagine that this title appeals to every aspect of my personality. I imagine it’ll tickle your fancy, too.

Like Lego Star Wars and Lego Batman, the swashbuckling adventures of Indiana Jones are humorously presented through the charm and innocence of Lego Blocks. This means that characters are presented as Lego people, objects are crafted entirely out of multicolored bricks, and the story is given a little bit of liberty in its expression. One particularly comical scene involves a ragtag team of adventurers led by Indy to the temple that houses the Holy Grail (you’ll fondly recall this scene if you’ve ever seen The Last Crusade). A decapitated Lego man greets the group. Apparently he didn’t know how to get past the shrine’s traps. It’s lighthearted because the headless man is searching for his head. That’s not all. One protagonist in the group receives a wound that severs his legs from his body. The legs then walk over to the other fellow’s decapitated head where they kick it. Even archeologists in their last moment still don’t care for pathetic Lego Nazis. This game did receive an E+10 rating, but I think that’s pushing it. There’s hardly a moment that isn’t appropriate for everyone regardless of age.

Story scenes are told through Lego body language and basic grunts. There isn’t any voice work or subtitles. Players who have not viewed the original three films will be at a loss, as the story progresses incoherently. One minute Indy will find himself in a snowcapped village, the next he’ll be in Egypt. Thankfully, I suspect that most people who will play this game have seen the movies. Count me in that camp. Lego Indiana Jones is a wonderful spoof of a great film trilogy.

It’s easy to see why. Beginning at Raiders of the Lost Ark, and then segueing into Temple of Doom and The Last Crusade, Indiana Jones, the famous archeology professor turned archeology adventurer, traverses earth in search of some truly magnificent treasures. Some of them are women. The raven-haired Marion accompanies Indy through the frigid depths of Nepal into the searing sands of Egypt. Once Indy has ended his quest for the Ark of the Covenant, he finds a buxom blonde singer named Willie. She’s afraid of bugs, but then again Indy hates snakes. Elsa, a Nazi who talks in her sleep according to Indy’s father, rounds out the trio as the sexiest lady of the bunch, as far as Lego women go.

Along the way Indy, with whip in hand, will enlist the help of familiar friends Sallah, Brody, Short Round, and Dr. Jones Sr. As in other games in the series, the player can quickly switch control between Indy and anyone else who is tagging along. Story Mode stages don’t allow for the same amount of experimentation that Free Play stages do (even though they’re the exact same environs), but it is possible to play co-op on the fly, though not online. Lego Indiana Jones is great fun with a friend. Going at it solo, the game is still amusing, but not quite as enjoyable only because you won’t have someone to laugh with over the game’s silliness. The game’s light-hearted humor is ubiquitous, as evidenced by Indy’s unwillingness to hand his rival Belloq a recently acquired golden idol bust. C-3PO’s head is close enough, right?

When Indy isn’t battling Nazis or insane Indian cultists, he’ll be constructing many objects to solve puzzles, driving vehicles, riding animals, breaking into enemy strongholds, seeking world religion artifacts, unlocking tons of bonus content, and collecting enough Lego money to buy a venerable estate. Each stage possesses ten hidden golden chests that, upon discovery, construct special artifacts used for decorating Indy’s employer’s museum. Barnett College serves as the game’s hub. There are many secrets to obtain in these halls of higher learning. Finding all of them will take a long, long time.

It can be said without any doubt that Lego Indiana Jones is a collect-a-thon. There are tons of items to obtain and countless studs of currency to acquire. There are dozens of characters to unlock. My personal favorite is the grumpy castle butler who in The Last Crusade retorted in disbelief that if Indiana Jones was there to look at tapestries, he was Mickey Mouse. Coulda been the truth.

Unlike in Lego Star Wars where you can play as a useless Gonk Droid, at least the grumpy castle butler can fend for himself. All of the characters are useful in some way, and they’re all available for your use in Free Play Mode should you decide to revisit the game’s creative environs.

The stages fit together well for the most part, as they take sets from important scenes in the movies and add to the environment. Sometimes, however, the design doesn’t quite work. The camera is usually admirable in its duty, but sometimes it falls short. Also, it’s impossible to go in reverse in a vehicle. Driving them can be haphazard to Indiana’s health.

You may die a lot. But it isn’t too bad, mostly since lives are infinite. Lego Indiana isn’t the toughest game in the world. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t satisfying. You’ll get to play through many memorable moments in film lore, and you’ll get to revel in the greatness of Lego Blocks. It’s really a win-win combination, and the aesthetics only sweeten the deal. The Lego worlds are immersive, while the in-game music is taken straight from the films. Now you can blast the Indiana Jones theme song from your speakers as you build your way to victory.

It’s this strange fusion of Lego Blocks and Indiana Jones, nostalgia and admiration that makes Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures such a memorable game. The same can be said about the other editions in the series, more or less, but even then this is still an indelible title that’s worth some of your time. Do it for the kids, even if you don’t have any.

Rating
8	Excellent Most of the elements of this game come together in fine form, meaning it's an experience you won't want to miss.
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LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures (X360) game cover art

Staff Score (Avg): 8.0 User Score (Avg): 9.0 Press Score (Avg): 6.0
Reviews: 2 Guides: 0 Cheats: 0 Ratings: 1	High Scores: 0 Screenshots: 0 Videos: 0

Title: LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures
Genre: Adventure
Publisher: LucasArts
Developer: Traveller's Tales
Release Date: June 3, 2008
ESRB: E10+
Platforms: PS2, PC, DS, PSP, PS3, WII, X360

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