LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures
© 2008 LucasArts
Even if you don't like the new movie (our testers were mixed), you'll love this game, especially if you liked LEGO Star Wars, which was designed from the same UK-based studio, Travellers Tales. Especially good for two players but still fun with just one, the console versions of Indiana Jones have more content than Star Wars, and a wider range of problem solving opportunities. The game starts in Barnett College, where Indiana Jones teaches, with one classroom per adventure. Three classrooms each lead to a movie-inspired level (Raiders Of The Lost Ark, Temple Of Doom and The Last Crusade) -- each with six jungle adventures, giving you 18 levels to solve. Progress is automatically saved. The game is a partnership of two avatars, which you can customize, that move together through each level, smashing things to earn LEGO Studs and health points. At various points, you have to work together with your avatars. To open a trap door, each must stand on a counterweight to continue. There are boats used to cross an alligator-infested swamp that require that one person steers and the other paddles. You can play as 60 movie characters, and mix and match body parts. Between each level is an animated scene featuring a slapstick LEGO rendition of the story. There's no shortage of smashing, shooting and building in this game, but no worrisome content. The Wii, PS2 and Xbox 360 versions of the game are nearly identical, with a few control differences for the Wii. To use the whip, for example, you can flip the Wii controller (a Nunchuk is required), or push down to dig with the shovel. But there are no real dramatic differences in the controls. Our recommendation is to take your pick; they're all good. We did not try the Windows version, however, and the DS version follows the same storyline, but uses the touch screen to activate the whip (by tracing the outline). The microphone is also used to blow out torches. We tried the game with younger children, and found that age 6-up really is a better age range for this title, unless a big brother or sister is willing to help out. The bottom line? If you liked LEGO Star Wars, you'll like LEGO Indian Jones even more. More information can be found at http://www.lucasarts.com/games/legoindianajones/.
$50, Windows, PlayStation 2*, Wii*, Xbox 360, Nintendo DS
Teaches: letter recognition, logic, problem-solving
CTR Rating: 94%