Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine

"Indy's back"

Indiana Jones has returned to video gaming. Actually, he's done that many times since then. After all, this game is waaaay older. But it's the thought that counts. After all, before this game came out, Indy's last romp on any platform was pc dos in Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis (the best Indiana Jones video game ever). Supposedly, Lucasarts was going to make another game just like it, but never happened. Years later, another Indiana Jones video game is finally made and released on the N64, PC, and Gameboy Color (quite possibly on the PS1, too). However, the only version of the game I played is on the gameboy color, but maybe some day I'll order a copy off of Amazon.com for the N64. Although, even for the miniature port, the game is still an enjoyable adventure.

Story 7/10
Okay, well, I actually had to look at a description online for the story of the game, because there isn't much in the game to give an actual story. Plus, I bought it used, so, it didn't come with an instruction manual. And I think the story goes something like this: Indy is once again caught in a race against your enemies to obtain a mystical item to prevent them from getting stronger as they always try to do in every Indy story. Again, there wasn't much story within the game itself. I believe there were no cutscenes, but some dialogue. Most of the dialogue had Indy talking to himself. However, he mentioned that one of the characters was Sophia Hapgood from Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis. That's always a welcome addition, because of how much us FoA fans love Sophia and that game deserves to be referenced in other Indy stories. According to the description I've read, Sophia is some kind of agent in this game also trying to stop the bad guys from reaching the Infernal Machine. I didn't see her too much throughout the game. If I recall correctly, I only saw her towards the beginning and the end. I also liked a reference to Henry Jones Sr. that Indy makes in the game as well. But enough of that, there's the story. Would be nice if there was more dialogue added in the game to give more of a story.

Graphics 10/10
They're not anything special, but I liked them fine. The graphics are nice, but that's mainly because I like the old school 8-bit graphics. Plus, they do have some nice touches on the jungles, ruins, and temples all across the world. I mean, it wouldn't be Indy without the globetrotting. Every enemy is perfectly clear too, so, you won't have a problem avoiding them when necessary. Displaying the levels in an overhead view was also a nice touch, very reminiscent of the Zelda games. Indy looked like Indy. All is well in the graphics department of this game. Well, almost. I do recall some kind of graphics glitch in the last level that allowed you to go up a column that you weren't supposed to and every time I did, the game froze, I think. I remember it wasn't a big deal and it was also avoidable, but still a pain if I forgot about it and tried it again. Thank god for those password saves which I'll cover in the gameplay section.

Music and Sound: 7/10
As far as I remember, because it's been a while since I played this game, there wasn't much to the music and sound. In fact, I believe there was hardly any music at all throughout this game. There may have been some tunes at the beginning and ending of each level, but not in between. So, basically, you get mostly silence while playing, but not completely. The sound effects were there for deterioration of health, the whip, the gun, and the use of items. You had your classic annoying alarm clock beep every time you're low on health. There was a soft beep for when an item would be used. The whip cracked and the gun shot. Most of those sound effects were there and perfect. A little bit of music would have been nice. It's not a huge miss, but still would have been nice.

Gameplay 10/10
I enjoyed this game from start to finish. It was pretty entertaining. Basically, it slightly follows the formula of the lucasarts adventure games: Puzzle-solving. Granted, there were many aspects to those games on the pc, such as talking to people to solve a puzzle as well as combining and using picked up items to solve the rest. Alas, the interaction of characters is absent from this version of the Infernal Machine (of course, I don't know if there is any in the console versions either), so, the puzzle solving comes strictly from items. That's not completely a bad thing, though. The adventure is still as fun as ever. There are a variety of different items to pick up, combine, and use, so that you don't feel like you're solving the same puzzle in every level. That adds a decently longer lifespan to the gameplay. The overhead view mentioned above in graphics also added nicely to the gameplay giving a mazelike environment to every level. There was enough to explore and experiment with before solving the final puzzles and moving on. The action sequences were only okay. You shoot, they die, simple. Yeah, your only weapons in the game consist of your fist, handgun, and whip. Not a huge deal, but some extra powerups may have been nice. I don't actually remember if you have unlimited ammunition. It's probably limited, but I don't ever recall having a problem fighting and killing all of my enemies. A lot of the danger comes from falling off from high places. Becareful about that. The game gets its appeal mostly from the puzzles. Another interesting thing, which I didn't know until later on, is that you can unlock a secret level toward the end from the collecting of sacred artifacts and trading in all of your medical kits. There is also a password save system which is slightly annoying, but at least there is a save system, period. There is a lot to the gameplay in this handheld gem.

Replayability 10/10
As stated above, there is more to do. The whole point of trading in medical kits and collecting artifacts gives you points which, if you have a certain amount, will allow you to play a bonus level. I, myself, have not done this, only read about the possibility and will play the game again someday to figure this out. Plus, it's a fun game from what I recall, but since I've forgotten most of the puzzles, it will provide a new experience once more, keeping in mind the secret to unlock. So, there is definitely a decent amount involved with replayability for Indy and that infernal machine.

Overall, a must buy. Like I said, I bought it used and am glad for that. I enjoyed it and will play it again some time. Plus, being a handheld, it's nifty to take with you on the road or at the airport. You'll have plenty to do, but always take note of the passwords, so, that you won't have to start over again.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 10/09/08

Game Release: Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine (US, 03/22/01)