Indiana Jones and the Emperor's Tomb

This is the newest third-person action game from LucasArts, and it may be just the thing to tide you over until the Indiana Jones Trilogy is finally available on DVD.

83%Game Brain Score

story, gameplay

stability, grinding

93% User Score Based on 994 reviews

Critic Score 72%Based on 4 reviews

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About

Indiana Jones and the Emperor's Tomb is a single player action adventure game. It was developed by LucasArts and was released on November 16, 2018. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

"Indiana Jones and the Emperor's Tomb" is an action-adventure game that follows the legendary archaeologist on a quest to retrieve the Emperor's Tomb. The game is set in 1935 and features hand-to-hand combat, puzzle-solving, and the use of Indiana's signature whip. Players must navigate through treacherous environments, battle enemies, and discover hidden treasures to complete the mission.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Indiana Jones and the Emperor's Tomb screenshot

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93%

Audience ScoreBased on 994 reviews

story76 positive mentions

stability34 negative mentions

A fine addition to the Indiana Jones franchise, full of action and colorful settings, enhanced by a great soundtrack.
The combat system is engaging and fun, allowing players to use a variety of melee attacks and weapons.
The game captures the spirit of Indiana Jones, providing a nostalgic experience for fans of the series.

The camera angles can be frustrating and may lead to unintended deaths during platforming sections.
The save system is poor, with no checkpoints, forcing players to restart entire levels upon dying.
The story lacks depth and is not as compelling as the films, with minimal storytelling throughout the game.

story
208 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
59%
4%
The story of "Indiana Jones and the Emperor's Tomb" is generally seen as a fun, albeit somewhat clichéd, adventure that captures the essence of the Indiana Jones franchise, featuring familiar elements like Nazis and ancient artifacts. While some players appreciate its original narrative and engaging set pieces, others criticize it for lacking depth and coherence, particularly in the latter stages. Overall, it offers an enjoyable experience for fans of the series, despite not reaching the heights of the classic films or previous games.
- “The story sees our favorite bullwhip-cracking, globe-trotting archaeologist being drawn into an expedition to find an ancient Chinese artifact with great powers.”
- “The game features a great plot with twists that you'd expect from any Indiana Jones title.”
- “The atmosphere too is really good; it truly feels like an Indiana Jones adventure, with the music, sound effects, cheesy humor, and a nice plot, even if quite forgettable.”
- “Unfortunately, there is not a lot of storytelling throughout the game, apart from a few cutscenes to take you to the next level.”
- “Story-wise it's the worst thing that I have ever encountered from this franchise (I think that speaks a lot after the Dial of Destiny) but it's still a fun adventure nonetheless that ties in with the Temple of Doom quite satisfyingly.”
- “The story commits suicide in the last third of the game though.”
gameplay
154 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
57%
5%
The gameplay of this Indiana Jones title is generally enjoyable, featuring solid combat mechanics, engaging puzzles, and a nostalgic atmosphere that resonates with fans of the franchise. While some mechanics feel dated and clunky, the overall experience remains fun and entertaining, with varied environments and satisfying brawling elements. However, players may encounter frustrating moments due to outdated controls and certain gameplay imbalances.
- “The gameplay is freaking awesome.”
- “All in all, the gameplay still holds up very well to this day, and if you're a fan of Indiana Jones, this game really does make you feel like Indiana Jones - every *thwack* is infinitely satisfying.”
- “Great combat, great gameplay, decent story so far, great settings and environments, great puzzles.”
- “Furthermore, it makes no sense that the machete is virtually useless in a fight and so slow to swing that you do far more damage with your fists, meaning you don't have to fear someone running at you with a knife, nor is it worth the mechanics of using the whip to knock it out of their hands.”
- “To be fair and balanced, there's nothing groundbreaking or revolutionary about the gameplay here; Indiana Jones and the Emperor's Tomb didn't do anything new or innovative.”
- “Good game which holds up decently today (for it to have released in 2003 anyways) but you will definitely fall victim to outdated gameplay mechanics/movement input, etc., and will suffer for it.”
graphics
122 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
44%
10%
The graphics of the game, released in 2003, are generally considered dated but still hold up reasonably well for its age, with many players appreciating the nostalgic visuals and attention to detail. While not state-of-the-art by modern standards, the graphics are described as solid for their time, with some levels showcasing impressive scenery. Overall, the visuals contribute positively to the game's atmosphere, making it enjoyable despite their age.
- “For a 20 year old game, it holds up well graphically and is easily accessible on modern resolutions.”
- “The graphics are very impressive for a game from 2003.”
- “One of the first things I always loved about this game was the visuals; though it's an old game, they're still pretty to look at.”
- “The graphics are pretty dated by now, of course - all you have to do is look at the screenshots to see that.”
- “The textures, the sound, the art style... it's all dated.”
- “The graphics may be outdated, the camera is a bit poor, the framerate cap is at a good 30 (which is fine that was the 2003 standard) and you might be playing in a bad resolution but the game is worth the buy.”
music
104 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
48%
6%
The music in "Indiana Jones and the Emperor's Tomb" is widely praised for its ability to evoke the adventurous spirit of the franchise, featuring a mix of original compositions and adaptations of John Williams' iconic scores. While some players note that the soundtrack can be repetitive, it is generally considered atmospheric and integral to the game's immersive experience, enhancing both the action and nostalgia for fans. Overall, the music is regarded as one of the standout elements of the game, contributing significantly to its entertainment value.
- “The soundtrack is extremely atmospheric.”
- “There's a great set of musical tracks in every level to accompany your adventures and get your heart thumping as you fend off baddies and explore strange and wondrous locations - including the game's adaptations of the classic Indy theme tune, which is always a good way to get your adrenaline going as you fight off hordes of bad guys with your trusty whip, revolver, bare fists or whatever other weapons are close to hand.”
- “The music is absolutely great and captures the spirit of the franchise.”
- “The music is somewhat repetitive, though I would assume audio files take up the most space... since this is an older game, this can be overlooked as a technical limitation.”
- “Meanwhile, the soundtrack is somewhat disappointing, feeling very bare and bland, like a low-budget attempt to mimic John Williams' iconic compositions for the films.”
- “Music gets very repetitive.”
stability
40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
7%
85%
The game is plagued by numerous bugs and glitches, particularly affecting controls, camera angles, and animations, which can detract from the overall experience. While some players find the minor glitches amusing and not game-breaking, others express frustration with the lack of stability, especially during critical moments without checkpoints. Overall, the game's stability issues are a significant concern, though they vary in impact depending on individual player tolerance.
- “No glitches”
- “No freezes”
- “This game is really good, but it's a bit not buggy or glitchy; just the controls and, by feelings, I mean mouse movement feels a bit clunky. Besides that, it's really good.”
- “Update: after five hours of playing this buggy garbage, I wish I could downvote this game twice.”
- “The controls are flimsy and loose, the camera is floaty, the game is buggy, the constant (and I mean literally whenever you press a movement key) breathing from Indi is the most annoying thing I've had to deal with in a game in a long time.”
- “The game, however, is not without its issues. While much better than the Xbox original and PS2 versions, the camera at times can be shoddy, especially in tight areas where you need to jump to a rope or ledge, and this can get you injured or killed, which is annoying. The game also has some texture glitches that are extremely frequent in the Emperor's Tomb chapter, and the animations and voice work at that point are sometimes shoddy as well.”
atmosphere
32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
41%
9%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its ability to evoke the feeling of an Indiana Jones adventure, with standout elements including the engaging soundtrack, sound effects, and level design. Players appreciate the combination of these traits, which create an immersive experience reminiscent of the films, despite some clunky gameplay mechanics. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered a significant strength, enhancing the adventure and nostalgia for fans of the franchise.
- “I couldn't get enough of the atmosphere either; it truly feels like another Indiana Jones movie.”
- “While not as amazing as the films, the soundtrack in this game is definitely very well done. From the awesome menu theme to the jungle-like soundtrack of Ceylon to the mystical horror music when you're in the Emperor's Tomb, the music really gives a great Indiana Jones atmosphere.”
- “If you play this and your heart isn't captured by the atmosphere, maybe you're too young and/or you are part of the problem with modern gaming, which has steered far and away from level-design focused development and into eye-candy and dopamine simulators.”
- “The atmosphere makes you feel like Indiana Jones, exploring ancient tombs, punching Nazis, cultists, or escaping angry wildlife.”
- “The perfect game is not about the best graphics - though this had top graphics in 2003, it's not about the best animations - though this had some of the best animations in 2003, it's not about the best sounds - though this has some of the best sounds up to date (music, sound effects, Indy's voice), it's not about the best story - though this has a proper Indiana Jones story involving Nazis, it is about how the combination of all these traits and the atmosphere make you feel as a gamer while playing, and that's where Emperor's Tomb will remain unbeatable.”
humor
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is highlighted by its clumsy combat mechanics, funny glitches, and amusing enemy animations, which contribute to a lighthearted atmosphere reminiscent of an Indiana Jones adventure. Players appreciate the comedic voice lines and the entertaining interactions that arise from various melee combos, making the gameplay experience both engaging and laugh-inducing. Overall, the game successfully blends humor with action, providing memorable moments that keep players entertained.
- “There's a variety of weapons, but I enjoyed barehanded melee the most due to how hilarious some combos end up being (and unless it's a large group of enemies, using guns is an easy win button, especially in normal mode).”
- “Some great overly clumsy combat that leads to hilarious moments makes this game worth it solely for that reason.”
- “I also loved it when the enemies had funny death animations, like doing a backflip as their legs clipped through a wall.”
optimization
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
30%
10%
Overall, the game is well-optimized for modern hardware, running smoothly with minimal tweaks required, even at higher resolutions. While some users noted issues with anti-aliasing and controller mapping, the performance remains stable without crashes, contributing to a positive gameplay experience.
- “I am more than happy with the performance.”
- “I found the emperor’s tomb runs smoothly on modern hardware with a few tweaks in just a few minutes (higher resolution than 1280x760, uncap framerate, widescreen fix).”
- “The gameplay loop is still fun, and besides my dpad and triggers not mapping, the game has run perfectly with no tweaks (I upped the resolution but not instantly, and it did not affect performance at all).”
- “The gameplay loop is still fun, but my dpad and triggers are not mapping correctly. The game has run perfectly with no tweaks, even after I increased the resolution, which did not affect performance at all.”
replayability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
50%
17%
While the game is relatively short and lacks extensive replay value compared to titles like "The Infernal Machine" and "Fate of Atlantis," it does feature hidden artifacts across various levels that encourage players to revisit the game, resulting in a decent replayability score of 8/10.
- “I should also mention that there are several artifacts that are hidden throughout the different levels, so there is definitely replay value here.”
- “Replay value: 8/10”
- “Compared to 'The Infernal Machine' and 'Fate of Atlantis', the game is quite short and does not offer much replay value.”
grinding
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, particularly due to the level design and platforming challenges. However, the enjoyable combat systems provide some relief from the monotony.
- “Unfortunately, the level design feels a bit tedious from the start, and things are very repetitive.”
- “Although the platforming can be frustrating and tedious at times, the fun combat systems make up for it.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Character development in the game is praised for its depth and integration into the overall story progression, contributing significantly to the player's emotional connection. Reviewers highlight the nostalgic value of the characters, making it a memorable experience for those familiar with the game. Overall, the character arcs are seen as a strong point that enhances the gameplay experience.
- “The character development is incredibly rich, allowing players to form deep connections with the characters and their journeys.”
- “The way the characters evolve throughout the story is captivating, making every decision feel impactful.”
- “I love how the game explores the complexities of each character, providing a nuanced and engaging narrative.”

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72%Critics’ scoreBased on 4 critic reviews

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100h Median play time

100h Average play time

100-100h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Indiana Jones and the Emperor's Tomb is a action adventure game.

Indiana Jones and the Emperor's Tomb is available on PC, Mac OS, Windows, PlayStation 2 and others.

On average players spend around 100 hours playing Indiana Jones and the Emperor's Tomb.

Indiana Jones and the Emperor's Tomb was released on November 16, 2018.

Indiana Jones and the Emperor's Tomb was developed by LucasArts.

Indiana Jones and the Emperor's Tomb has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its stability.

Indiana Jones and the Emperor's Tomb is a single player game.

Similar games include Tomb Raider, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, Tomb Raider: Legend, Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine, Tomb Raider II and others.

Indiana Jones and the Emperor's Tomb

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