It’s amazing that gamers aren’t sick to death of the fundamental formula that makes up the simplistic combat and puzzle solving of the Lego Star Wars games. After three releases of what is basically the exact same title, you’d think something might click. Curiously enough, nobody’s complaining about the winning combination of easy-to-solve puzzles and famous locales, so why would there need to be any significant development changes to Lego Indiana Jones?
Somehow, Traveler’s Tales has managed to successfully rip themselves off to create another cute and fun experience based off of a LucasArts license. With just a few refinements to the game, however, it’s feels like little more than an expensive expansion pack.
Being able to hot-swap between characters when playing single or multiplayer without having to be hugging them — a hugely annoying issue in previous games — is a major plus; increased puzzle difficulty means you’ll need to be as smart as a plastic professor to solve the mystery of the locked door, and vehicle missions have been toned down in quantity.
Unfortunately for Indy, these improvements are still the game’s biggest flaws. Hot-swapping between characters is great, but with few characters worth caring about, why would you want to play as anyone but the Jones doctors? Puzzles might be improved, but you’ll still find yourself overlooking the obvious answer if you even so much as start to think about a logical solution, and despite vehicle missions being reduced, they’re still there. The poor driving mechanics means you’ll be smashing plenty of sidecar motorcycles to their Lego bits.
Flaws aside, Lego Indiana Jones is an absolute hoot, and playing multiplayer with a buddy will only further the fun. You’ll enjoy the alternating lever pulling, co-op Nazi killin’, jumping gaps, and crushing giant jerks with rocks. And with a variety of weapons and items to pick up (rifles, torches, smashable liquor bottles), unique special powers (Indy’s whip stuns baddies and allows him to swing around platforms, while Willy’s glass-shattering scream will, uh, shatter glass), and scads of unlockables, there’s a ton of worthy action/platforming gameplay to be had for all ages.
The first three flicks are covered here with six well designed levels apiece, each with their own secrets and character-specific brain teasers, so don’t be surprised to find yourself playing as a teamed up Sean Connery and Nazi soldier duo in Raiders of the Lost Ark once you realize how much there is to do. The entirety of the game’s story mode — which is as hilarious as ever — won’t last too terribly long, but being sucked back in to unlock more goodies — some of which are memorable Star Wars characters! — will keep completionists busy.
If you aren’t already a fan, chances are this won’t click with you. Indy doesn’t do anything significantly different to attract a new audience, which is why those who dig the Lego series will love every second of it.
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