Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures

Lego games have been around for a pretty long time, even before they really got into this main "series" of games based on other content. They started off with this series of games back in 2005 with LucasArts as the main partner. Released in 2008, Lego Indiana Jones The Original Adventures is the first adaptation of the Indiana Jones film series into the Lego universe. But is there something that makes this one special? Well, let's talk about it.

About the game

Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures features the three original movies all in the game. Since it was released after three separate consecutive Lego Star Wars games, it was pretty tough to be innovative and original with changes on the series. Even with that they still chose to do another game based on the LucasArts hit film series.

The formula stays largely the same as the other titles, this means a lot of things, but one of those is that you're going to feel right at home with the gameplay. Given the nature of the Indiana Jones films, these games are slightly different. As Indie you're in for a full adventure, and there's a lot of exploration to do.

Exploring isn't the only thing different in this title from the previous games. The focus set on exploration is equally shared by that set on the puzzle-solving elements of the game. Of course, the core target of the game means that these puzzles can't be too complicated, but they are pretty fun nonetheless.

A faithful representation?

If you've played the other Lego games you know that, while they do follow the story of the original movie, they also add their original twists to add to the experience. In this game, they are added by the second. But they somehow managed to be a somewhat loyal representation of the original films.

The goofy elements just add more charm to the game in the same style as the rest of the Lego games. You shouldn’t come here expecting an accurate representation of the original movies, but rather a cartoony recreation. But is it any good?

Review: 7/10

Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures is another Lego game pretty much like the rest of them. You already know what to expect when you start playing and that's what you get. The main difference between this one and the Lego Star Wars games is basically the setting.

Whereas in Star Wars the use of The Force was the main special ability for the characters, in Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures. Some characters have inherited special items and abilities you'll need to use to solve puzzles and advance in the adventure.

Pros:

• Nice visuals
• Fun gameplay
• Simple but good
• Includes all three of the original Indiana Jones movies

Cons:

• Can be repetitive
• Too easy
• The soundtrack repeats itself a lot

IN MY OPINION George Lucas' films are a load of old shit (yes, that includes Star Wars) but I do find the Indiana Jones films to be rather good. This means that I didn't immediately spit on the screen when I started to load up LEGO Indy. Knowing that it was an excellent block-'em-up helped hugely.

The stylised nature of the graphics means that, despite more than a year or so having passed since it first landed among us, nothing has real ly changed. So the gameplay is the only thing you can really look at in drawing budgetary conclusions. On our initial play LEGO Indy did throw up some frustrating issues, so to then go back and see them again -especially some of those bastard camera angles that make progress overly hard -isn't exactly pleasant.

Having said that, LEGO Indiana Jones is excellent in terms of platforming fun, even if the South American temple from Raiders of the Lost Ark is hideously re-imagined.