LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures Review - DS

7

Gameplay: 8
Graphics: 6
Audio: 6
Innovation: 7

Indiana Jones is one of the most recognised names in the world. George Lucas, one of the most successful producers and directors of all time, couldn’t believe his luck when America took the Indiana Jones character by storm, and now, almost twenty years after the third movie was released, there’s a fourth movie, and Lego games to go along with it. Don’t get mislead though, the games are based on the original trilogy, not the new movie, so join Sliced as we take a look at the Nintendo DS version of Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures … and remember, I’m allowing you to tag along, so why don't you give your mouth a rest. Okay doll?

Gameplay

Lego Indiana Jones is set up so that you can access all three original Indiana Jones movies from a “college”. The college is basically a big house that you can walk around in, with various rooms leading to the different movies, and also other bonus things like costume changes and extra content. It works quite well, but we didn’t like how the game just throws you in to the college at the start without any explanation as to where to go. Each level has its own specific door to go through, and the doors unlock as you progress through the game.  The game is generally 2D, but it does have a 3D feel to it, especially when you’re running down towards yourself as you escape from huge rolling Lego boulders.

Lego Indiana Jones DS works basically the same way as the console versions, except you also use the Nintendo DS touch screen and the microphone. The touch screen is used for various actions such as whipping across from one area to another, or shoveling out some Lego from the sand, but all actions that you use the touch screen for can also be performed with the DS buttons. The microphone is used for blowing out torches in the temples, and comes in use a fair bit throughout the game. For those unfamiliar with the Lego games, Lego Indiana Jones is a perfectly OK place to start. The first few levels are fairly easy and it guides you through how to build all the Lego parts in order to advance through each area. Most of the game is just action/adventure though so don’t get mislead by the Lego title. All the characters and objects might be made from Lego, but the actual Lego gameplay is kept to a minimum.

As you progress through each of the movies, the gameplay gradually gets more complex. It is a game aimed at people of all ages however, so the main story-mode gets too difficult. Indiana Jones and Star Wars fans will find plenty of tidbits added in, including cameos from all sorts of different characters, and plenty of unlockable items.  In the college, there is a room where you can purchase your unlockable items. This room also has a mini-game puzzle mode where you have to solve temple-like puzzles similar (continued next page)