Lego Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues (handheld video game) explained

Lego Indiana Jones 2:
The Adventure Continues
Developer:TT Fusion
Publisher:LucasArts
Series:Lego Indiana Jones
Genre:Action-adventure
Modes:Single-player, multiplayer

Lego Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues is an action-adventure video game developed by TT Fusion and published by LucasArts. Part of the Lego Indiana Jones series, it was released for the Nintendo DS and PlayStation Portable on November 17, 2009 in North America, November 20, 2009 in Europe, and November 25, 2009 in Australia.[1] While having the same name as the PC and console game , it is effectively a different game with regards to gameplay and content.

The game received mixed reviews from critics, who cited its lack of interesting levels or exploration in general, also criticizing the fact that its DS version was not designed specifically for that system to make use of its unique features, though the graphics were called impressive for the DS.

Gameplay

Unlike the console version, the game's handheld release covers only the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, dividing it into three chapters. The release plays akin to a sidescroller, in that the levels primarily move left and right, rather than forward. The version does this while also employing the same design elements in the main release like puzzles, dispersed enemies, and vehicles. It also adapts wholly different scenes for levels. Since it only adapts one film, the version has a single hub, which is set on an island. The release also makes use of local online co-op, where the game is run on multiple nearby devices, instead of running on one device played by multiple people.[2] [3]

Reception

The game's DS version received an aggregate score of 59/100 on Metacritic, indicating "mixed or average reviews".

Chris Roper of IGN rated the game 5.2/10 points, saying that the series had "lost its charm" by going portable. Saying that the handheld version offered a "completely different, and unfortunately worse" experience than on other platforms, he described it as "simply boring", with "wonky" controls and uninteresting level design. Calling it a "very linear experience", he commented on the game's lack of exploration, while criticizing the choice to only include Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. He noted a lack of Nintendo DS-specific controls on that version due to the game's dual-portable development.[4]

Tony Capri of Cheat Code Central described the game as having puzzles that were "cryptic" and did not "quite fit in" with the rest of the game.[5] Nathan Meunier of GamesRadar+ took issue with the game's controls, especially for its vehicle segments, but praised the graphics. Carolyn G. of Nintendo Power rated the DS version 5/10 points, praising some of the levels as having an impressive sense of scale, but remarking that the puzzles were too easy, and the touch-screen controls overly "finicky". She summed up the story's humor as falling flat most of the time.[6] Nintendo Gamer rated the same version 63/100 points, calling it a "lovely bit of fanservice".[7]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: LEGO Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues . 2023-04-18 . Metacritic . en.
  2. Web site: Meunier . Nathan . 20 November 2009 . LEGO Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues review . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220512114719/https://www.gamesradar.com/lego-indiana-jones-2-the-adventure-continues-13/ . 12 May 2022 . 30 October 2022 . . en.
  3. Web site: Dunkley . Philip . 27 June 2008 . Lego Indiana Jones - The Original Adventures - PSP . https://web.archive.org/web/20230101214542/https://www.criticalhit.net/review/lego-indiana-jones-the-original-adventures-psp/ . 1 January 2023 . 1 January 2023 . Critical Hit.
  4. Web site: Roper . Chris . November 2021 . LEGO Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues Review . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210903005909/https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/11/20/lego-indiana-jones-2-the-adventure-continues-review . 3 September 2021 . 3 September 2021 . . CBS Interactive.
  5. Web site: Capri . Tony . LEGO Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues Review for Nintendo DS . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220922005411/https://www.cheatcc.com/ds/rev/legoindianajones2theadventurecontinuesreview.html . 22 September 2022 . 18 September 2022 . www.cheatcc.com.
  6. December 2009 . Lego Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues . . 249 . 90 . Internet Archive.
  7. January 2010 . Lego Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues Review . Nintendo Gamer . 75.