I've been an Indy fan all my life, and I can say with full conviction this game is as awesome as the original 80's films and the best game in the series; even better than "The Infernal Machine" that was released way back in 1999. It's also a very nice change of pace after the disappointing "Dial of Destiny" released last year.
Set in 1937, between "Raiders of the Lost Ark" and "The Last Crusade", Dr. Henry "Indiana" Jones Jr. (Troy Baker) finds himself drawn into yet another adventure to stop an Axis powers operation set on harnessing an ancient power stemming from the Great Circle that takes him from the Vatican, to Egypt, to China. The story and dialogue are engrossing and exciting and keeps you hooked throughout the game, as do the characters; we have the late Tony Todd as the imposing and mysterious thief Locus, Alessandra Mastronardi as investigative reporter Gina Lombardi, Indy's female companion who matches him in wits, and Marios Gavrilis as Emmerich Voss, the menacing yet surprisingly amusing Nazi main antagonist.
The graphics are stunningly beautiful and polished. There are small but impressive details everywhere that make the levels feel complete and alive, like insects in South America or dust clouds and sand particles in Egypt. The levels and environments have massive, breathtaking landscapes you'll have a blast exploring. And with maximum graphics in play, it'll look so real you'll feel like you're watching a whole new Indy movie. There's even a marvelous recreation of the opening of "Raiders of the Lost Ark" serving as a tutorial that looks as amazing as it did forty years ago.
I liked the games unique first-person perspective that makes you feel like your truly in Indy's shoes, and it's different not only from previous Indy games, but also from Tomb Raider and Uncharted, which is ironic since both franchises were inspired by Indiana Jones themselves.
The gameplay captures the theme of the films with challenging combat consisting of fist-cuffs, Indy's bullwhip, melee weapons like shovels or hammers, or guns like a Smith & Wesson Mk II revolver, MP28 smg, or Winchester M1897 shotgun. However, using stealth and surprise is generally safer and more recommended than just rushing in guns blazing. While enemy AI isn't very good and sneaking past them is usually easy enough, combat can be a pain because drawing a weapon will invoke the same response from your enemies, in which case they will likely overwhelm and kill you. And, as expected for an Indy game, you'll have to solve intricate and well-designed puzzles that sometimes require searching for hints, glossing over maps, and reading old documents, just like a real archaeologist.
The soundtrack, composed by Gordy Haab, was excellent and based on John Williams legendary original score. The voice work is wonderful. Troy Baker pulls of a great Harrison Ford impersonation as he voices the titular protagonist, fully capturing his witty and sarcastic personality. You'll hear familiar sounds from the movies, like fist strikes and Indy's whip cracking. The ambient noises are cool and realistic, like low hollow echoes and wind blowing softly in the temples, caves and tunnels you explore, or the bird calls and chittering insects in the jungles you travel through. Everything sounds amazing.
Being released just in time for Christmas, this masterpiece from Bethesda will make a terrific gift not only for Indy fans but adventure game fans everywhere.
