With videogames now often costing millions of pounds to make, it is hardly surprising really that so many developers play it safe and release sequels to popular past hits. After already hitting high-street gold with Lego Star Wars: The Video Game, developer TT Games (previously known as Traveller’s Tales) followed it up with Lego Star Wars: The Original Trilogy and Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga. So far, so cash-in.

Now though the Cheshire-based developer has decided to leave George Lucas’s cherished franchise well alone and has turned instead to another of the bearded one’s trilogies; the Indiana Jones films. But can we expect a new change in direction from the other Lego videogames? Will we be treated to bold new gameplay innovations that expand upon the original games? Don’t be silly. After all, why change a winning formula when you know that it already makes cash tills ring.

Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures is just as humorous and entertaining as the two games that came before it, but the jokes are now starting to wear a little thin. If Traveller’s Tales churns out something similar for Lego Batman and Lego Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull – alright, so it hasn’t been announced yet, but it’s as obvious as night following day – then the developer could find itself with one hell of a backlash.

Still, we don’t want to come across as too negative about Indy’s latest videogame, as it’s actually a fun and entertaining little romp that not only contains virtually all of the key scenes from the first three movies but proves that everyone’s favourite archaeologist hasn’t lost his touch for appearing in good games.

If you have played any of TT Games’ previous Lego videogames, Indy will feel instantly familiar. Play is once again set around a central hub, in this case Barnett College; there’s a huge amount of different items to find and collect and humour is once again high on the menu. Indeed, by the time you’ve completed the first level you’ll be treated to a brilliant Star Wars lampoon, the sort of classy slapstick antics that wouldn’t look out of place in a Jackie Chan film and a brand new take on Indy’s fear of snakes. The constant ribbing continues throughout all 18 episodes and not only proves that Lucas is confident of TT Games’ handling of his precious movies but also makes us believe that the developer could easily find success in another entertainment medium if it ever becomes bored of making videogames.

For all its adeptness with comedy, TT Games could certainly do with blowing the dust off its ‘How To Make A Successful Lego Videogame’ and reading through it again, as cracks are definitely starting to appear beneath its impossibly slick game engine. While plenty of new gameplay mechanics have been added, many of them feel superfluous to the actual gameplay. Certain characters, for example, already come equipped with handy items that enable them to dig up objects or fix broken machinery, but on many occasions it’s usually possible to pick up the required tool anyway. Granted, you’ll need to use certain skills in order to discover the deviously placed objects that have been skilfully hidden throughout the truly beautiful environments, but it’s possible to complete the game without going to these extremes (although hardcore fans will argue that to do so is to miss the point). Other mechanics are quickly introduced and then just as quickly forgotten, with the new phobias being a typical example. What initially starts off as a really clever concept – Indy obviously has a great fear of snakes and won’t go anywhere near them, meaning another character will have to do the legwork – soon takes a backseat to the generic ‘pick this up, drop it over there, stand on this switch’ that has so far permeated the previous Lego Lucas games.

It’s a shame that TT Games has done so little to advance the Lego gameplay style, as The Original Adventures is truly a thing of beauty. Familiar locations are not only instantly recognisable to fans of the films, but also look incredibly lush and boast a terrific amount of polish (the same can also be said for Indy’s stunning presentation). Larger in size than previous Lego games and coated in a beautiful high-def sheen, detail throughout is second to none and really ups the ante on the already impressive graphics engine. Animation is also slicker than ever, with Indy and the rest of the varied cast looking perfectly at home within the huge expansive locations. Granted, some of the animals look rather silly, but it simply adds to The Original Adventures’ insanely potty charm. Add in John Williams’ wonderfully rousing scores, which will instantly ignite the heart of anyone who’s ever been fortunate enough to sit through the trilogy and aesthetically, The Original Adventures is pretty much untouchable.

Sadly, bags of charm, excellent visuals and hilarious cut-scenes can only take you so far and TT Games’ golden goose is quickly in danger of becoming a very ugly duckling. Fans of the films are going to be in seventh heaven, but anyone else will be astute enough to realise that there’s only so much mileage you can get from the same set of tyres. Let’s hope they get changed for Lego Batman.

Darran Jones