Gameology 2.0

Review Of

LucasArts. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. USA: LucasArts, 1989.

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Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade is one of the earliest LucasArts GAGs, and the very first of their efforts to bring the marketing power of a LucasFilms movie to bear on a game. The fact that LucasArts was able to pull this off with the Indy franchise--not once, but twice--is a testament to the amazing talents of the LucasArts writers and designers. While I don't like this game nearly as much as its sequel, Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis, it's still a fun diversion. Unfortunately, the many superfluous arcade and maze sequences manage to destroy the game's pacing to the point that I can't honestly recommend it for anyone but a serious LucasArts fan.
Screenshot of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Note the Sam & Max totem pole.: Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade Screenshot
Indeed, the more we compare this game to its sequel, the more it seems to pale. The self-deprecating wit, scathing sarcasm, and enchanting characters of Atlantis are missing here. What we end up are a set of cardboard characters and a much more demure Indy. There's a dollop of camp humor here, of course--everytime Indy dons his "Indy Adventure Wear(TM)" gear, the Indy theme plays briefly, reminding one of the same silly hero-bruhaha as the 1960s Batman TV show. There are also plenty of subtle (and no so subtle) references to other games in the LucasArts franchise, as well as some of the self-referentiality we've come to associate so strongly with LucasArts. I noticed at least a few Sam & Max references, which is rather intereting considering that Sam & Max Hit the Road wouldn't hit the shelves until 1993.

Most reviews of Crusade focus on the utter banality of its many arcade sequences. Players will end up spending much of their time trying to figure out the awkward fist-fighting segments. Though some of these can be avoided, others are obligatory. There is also an inordinate share of mazes to add to the er, fun. As someone who generally despises both arcade sequences and mazes, I found myself contemplating quitting quite often. To make matters worse, the avatar isn't invincible and frequently dies. Of course, this isn't that big of a problem--the game will usually restart automatically just before the incident, and anyone with an iota of GAG experience will know to save frequently.

There also a few ways to mess up, but not so bad that you can't finish the game. For instance, if you don't take a painting from a house in the early part of the game, you'll have a harder time later on. I missed the whole painting biz and didn't know anything about it until I got stuck later and saw it mentioned in a walkthrough. I was able to beat the game anyway, but had to suffer through much more fistfighting sequences as a result. Sigh.

Another interesting feature of this game is the "IQ" system, which is an attempt to up the replay value. The idea is that there are several ways to complete the game, with some alternatives leading to more IQ points than others. Players will need to play through several times to see each alternative and collect the most number of points. Effective? Eh. Maybe if I decide to replay this game in a few years, I'll make a conscious effort to try something new, but I'd have to wait until I'd forgotten just how tedious those other arcade sequences were!

Another little bit of trivia is that this game was apparently the first time LucasArts used the line, "I'm selling these fine leather jackets," which shows up in countless other of their GAGs. Indeed, I've seen this line many times and didn't quite catch the allusion. That's the great thing about LucasArts GAGs; you really have to play them all before you can get the full enjoyment out of any particular one. There is something to be said for starting all the way back with Maniac Mansion and working your way through. You'll meet "Chuck the Plant" in Mansion, who afterwards shows up in Crusade and almost every other LucasArts game.
Obligatory Chuck the Plant reference.: Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade Screenshot 2
There are some nice suprises and witty moments in Crusade, but not enough. Unless you're a diehard Indy fan or LucasArts completist, I'd recommend skipping this game, particularly if you haven't played Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis, a much better game all-round.