Lego Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues Review (PS3)

Warning: Opening of the Ark may cause melting

Mention the word ‘Aliens’ and all you’ll hear from my usually filthier mouth is “How dare they ruin a beloved film franchise and practically demolish the only protagonist in Hollywood history that kept my moral compass in check.” Then I might kick a child in the face, depending how broken my memories are. Nevertheless, it’s hard to remove knowledge of the existence of the most recent Indiana Jones franchise gold mine Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull. Along with crushing many fans hearts, it also went and mangled with the whole trilogy concept, leaving the folks at Traveller’s Tales in something of a dilemma, with their past comprehensive Lego spoof feeling somewhat empty.

Lego Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure ContinuesLego Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues is in perilous danger of becoming something of a money making fad when the idea is read on paper. Containing all three of the previous films already toyed about with plus three more chapters dedicated to the more recent extra terrestrial flick, it all sounds like something that could easily fit onto the marketplace as DLC in this day and age. For Traveller’s Tales, however, this is an unexpected second chance to smooth out the creases of the original and dip the toes of some new ideas in the water.

The recent Lego tie-in games have become so renowned that they’re practically almost as well known as the whip-wielding adventurer’s own franchise, and such popularity has hindered evolution in the gameplay. No matter what franchises it takes on-board, the process of smash/collect/repeat has always remained. LIJ2 strides on stubbornly with this same routine present, with plenty of stud collecting, linear yet entertaining levels to explore and environmental puzzles which rely on both teamwork and whatever you can dismantle and rebuild from your surroundings.

Although enjoyable, the simplistic winning formula for the new age platformer was never without its flaws. It wasn’t rare for a Lego game for baddies to not only come in the form of plastic goons, but death encouraging glitches. When enemies weren’t busy attempting to kill you, your A.I. ‘buddy’ always seemed to be on a constant suicide mission themselves. Sometimes the odd troubling puzzle would crop up squatting upon the whole ‘Family friendly’ format it had worked so hard to build upon. Thankfully, all these issues that plagued the series have been addressed and fixed. Gameplay is constantly smooth, your partner is quick to react and goes exactly where you need them to work through levels and all the puzzles are simpler, yet still provide enough of a challenge to flair up the odd brain cell.

Makes Crystal Skull look like a blessing in disguise

The biggest addition, however, is that of ‘Hub levels’, designed to link all the levels of a single movie together. Each film has a specific open world environment dedicated to them where all the levels can be accessed from. Each world is also crammed with secret levels, races, collectables, vehicles and characters to discover that will help you gain even more prizes, rewarding the most skilled and curious of adventurers. As many hours can be spent exploring these areas as they can in the typical series of levels, and do the game a huge favour by ridding the need of constantly switching characters for specific levels to collect secrets by gathering them in one expansive environment.

Despite vehicles being easy to control during races in the open environment, less can be said when they’re restricted to one of the actual areas. Each ‘movie’ contains one vehicle dedicated level, usually consisting of attempts to destroy other vehicles by smacking into them. The wheels may be made of bricks, but making the vehicles feel that way is not a good gameplay move, and the constant need to chip away at seemingly endless hoards make the sections exceptionally tame and frustrating, especially when the game provides you with so much more to work with.

Lego Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure ContinuesNot only can the in game currency of studs be put towards vehicles and characters, they can now also be used to obtain items for your very own levels. In a move that seems well overdue, Lego Indy 2 features a ‘Level Creator’ that is surprisingly comprehensive despite the coloured bricks’ simplistic functions. Though the amount of options offered is honestly baffling enough to warrant an ‘Adult supervision needed’ label strapped to it, it doesn’t take too long to start creating levels, puzzles and goals out of pixel bricks. The arrogant can even take the levels on offer and edit them as they see fit, yet if you want the improvements to be seen, you’ll have to invite the world around to your place to see it, as their is no online support to share your works of art on.

An addictive playthrough of Lego Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues makes Crystal Skull look like a blessing in disguise. The frustrating niggles of past Lego games have disappeared and everything has been smoothed in terms of gameplay without cheapening any of the Indy charm. Bragging major improvements and plump with collectables swallowing hour upon hour of free time, Lego Indy 2 warrants the asking price that should be explored by those who still want to see more of a plastic Harrison Ford after the previous game, and for those who want the most polished Lego experience yet.

The Good: Hub levels are a welcome addition, Retains everything that made the original great, Comprehensive level builder
The Bad: Limited online capabilities, Terrible vehicle segments


Lego Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues Lego Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues Lego Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues Lego Indiana
Jones 2: The Adventure Continues Lego Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues 


Silver Y AwardSilver Y Award
4 4 / 5

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