The decision to immortalise the wise-cracking hero in LEGO form is clear: the Indiana Jones films are almost as iconic as Star Wars, and their cheeky humour runs parallel with the tongue-in-cheek approach of the recent LEGO games. With the building blocks already in place from the Star Wars games, it hasn’t been too difficult for Traveller’s Tales to whip the engine into shape and recreate the original three films in a style fit for Dr. Henry Walton Jones, Jr.
There are plenty of traps to avoid, and mastery of Indy’s bullwhip is crucial. A quick crack of the weapon allows Indiana to disarm enemies and flick switches. Although tracking down in-game screenshots is harder than finding the Grail itself, we’ve got it on good authority that anyone familiar with LEGO Star Wars should instantly recognise the HUD. Collecting LEGO gems for fortune and glory plays as big a part as always, and there will be plenty of breakable objects and secret items tucked away for you to find on your own or with a friend in co-op.
Things will also be more puzzle-orientated than before, and you’ll need to combine LEGO Technic pieces to progress. Once the golden idol from the beginning of Lost Ark has been snagged it’s time to escape the collapsing temple. The boulder chase is featured in its entirety so you’ll be running into the screen and hurdling objects. The level’s conclusion features a battle through the jungle to the waiting seaplane, snake and all.
Then it’s off to Nepal to locate Marion Ravenwood and her medallion. A battle with the Nazis is in store, and things really heat up when the buildings start burning down. Indy’s ability to ‘weaponise’ the objects around him really stands out. He can pick up items to attack people with, so the bar is perfect for a fight because it’s packed with stools and bottles. The Nepalese mountains and ancient structures bulk out this portion of the game (in the film it was simply one bar scene), so don’t think you’ll escape any temple action for long.
Cairo’s markets are up next, followed by the dig scene - with plenty of snakes to avoid - then its a car chase, a level in the submarine dock (along with the Bantu Wind and U-Boat) and finally an explosive finish at the secret island where you’ll witness Major Arnold Toht’s infamous melty-face scene in all its LEGO glory.
If you thought that LEGO Star Wars was visually impressive, you’re in for a treat. The locations in the films are far more exotic and colourful than Star Wars and Batman, and Traveller’s Tales have really stepped up their game. Environments have a pseudo-realistic edge, so the LEGO elements of an ancient shrine look really striking next to, say, a beautiful jungle backdrop.
