Why even review a video
game? Well, we're such big fans of "Indiana Jones" and
currently can't put down the game based on the original
three movies. So, without further ado, a review of the
Nintendo DS version...
If you think this
game is just for kids, then you're freaking
mistaken, pal. While it is rated E for everyone,
there's really nothing simplistic about this video
game. It's a complicated, irritating, and awfully
long game that I am currently having a blast
playing. I honestly can't stop. And while completing
"Raiders of the Lost Ark," "Temple of Doom," and
"The Last Crusade" would take at least three days,
if you played non-stop, finding the tricks, secrets,
hidden gems, and strategy will force you to replay
all three at least three times. The keyword here is
three, folks. This game focuses on the original
trilogy of "Indiana Jones" with none of the game
play focused on "Crystal Skull." There's not even a
hidden game (as far as I know) devoted to the fourth
movie.
First things
first, why is it fun? Well, you can travel in
and out of the college Jones works at, you can
fight other characters, smash furniture for
pegs, you can customize your very own character,
you can change hats, you can play very tough
mini games to grab pegs, and there's of course
playing the original movies. But that other
stuff is a blast! Having never played the Lego
games before, "Lego Indiana Jones DS" was an
interesting experience. Each game mimics the
exact sequences from the movie sans the inherent
violence and dialogue.
The character
interaction replaying key scenes from all three
movies are based around facial expressions,
grunts and screams, along with gags that are
funny and thankfully never flat. For example in
"The Last Crusade" with Indy's father is shot
forcing him to travel into the caves, rather
than seeing blood his bottom half pops off and
begins walking on its own. Trust me, it's funny.
And in spite of the Lego marking, this feels
much more like an Indiana Jones game, which
counts. Because thirty bucks for a game is
obscene enough, and thankfully we get our
money's worth with a game that's just fantastic
and feels like you're unfolding the movie before
your eyes and interacting. Indiana is probably
the best character here, no surprise. You do get
to play as everyone from Short Round, Indy's
dad, right down to supporting characters, and
you're also allowed to shoot guns and swing
swords, but Indiana is the best character.
Even if every character serves a great
importance during levels.
One of the many
perks of the character is that he can run faster
and jump higher than any of the others, and
essentially use his whip for great abilities. He
can swing from it, lash it around an object,
bring an object to him, and when fighting
enemies, he can smack the weapons from their
hands with the whip, as well as render them
unconscious. And the added character that
follows you around allows you to battle thugs
without worrying about being outnumbered or
outmatched, because which ever character follows
you will fight too. In some points I found
myself cornered and had the wits of Marion to
beat one guy down while I fought another.
Now, the problems with the game are minimal, but
still irksome. For one thing, for a game pitched
to kids, some of the puzzles are far too
annoying and complicated to solve. Will kids
really know to pull the giant battery back and
forth to flip over the floor in the mansion
which will allow you to stomp on the buttons
flipping the pictures on the wall, granting you
access to the door on the right stairwell? I
think not! Will kids know to go deep into the
cauldron to set off all the levers to stomp on
the buttons to open the doors? I think not!
Hell, I'm a whiz with puzzles and I had a heck
of a time finding the clues and hidden answers.
While the sequences do allow some clues, there's
really no telling unless you actually
investigate and invest time. Which kids likely
won't do.
Currently I'm stuck on the slopes in
"Raiders of the Lost Ark," and may
have to restart the movie to retrace
my steps and avoid past mistakes.
There's also the extra character
that follows you around that's
convenient but obnoxious at times.
When you want to jump somewhere or
move something they will not get out
of your way and will often cause you
to fall into water or over a cliff.
As well, they tend to die on jumps
you make. There's also the
troublesome camera angles that often
get confused and wonky. At times
when I battled behind a pillar, I
couldn't see what was going on
behind it. There are also the short
games where you can ride in a car,
or on the rubber raft on the side of
the mountain ("Temple of Doom"),
which is tough because you have
almost no control on the speed, and
you're forced to adjust your
attention to knocking down objects
to gain points, avoiding explosions
and pit falls, and collecting pegs
all before the time runs out. That's
irritating!
Kids looking for
a simple run and whip game will be disappointed
to find that Lego has constructed a much more
complicated and elaborate game that will take
time, patience, perseverance, and commitment.
They'll also find replaying them again and again
to find everything will also test their
attention spans. I'm still trying to figure some
things out, and I'm hoping my interest doesn't
die out while doing so. I have a long attention
span, but I tend to stop something when it gets
too frustrating.
I took a big risk
buying this game, because for all I know it
could have been a cheap four hour excuse for a
side scroller, but man, on the DS it really
isn't. The comedy is sharp, the sight gags are
great, the animation is incredible, and there
are so many bells and whistles, you'll be
entertained for hours on end. I bought this game
because I love "Indiana Jones" (natch) and I
would suggest it for anyone who is a fan of the
films, if only to see Indiana be chased by a
giant LEGO boulder.
All written reviews
material and content are a copyright of Felix Vasquez Jr. and
Cinema Crazed.
Content borrowed without written permission will not be
permitted.
