Indiana Jones and the Emperor's Tomb
- November 16, 2018
- LucasArts
- 100h median play time
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.
Get on Steam"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.
Mac OS
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Windows
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Playstation 2
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Reviews
- Nostalgic experience that captures the spirit of Indiana Jones with engaging gameplay and memorable locations.
- Fun and satisfying combat system with a variety of melee and ranged options, allowing for creative approaches to fights.
- Great soundtrack that enhances the adventure feel, along with decent voice acting that adds to the immersion.
- Clunky controls and camera issues that can lead to frustrating gameplay, especially during platforming sections.
- Lack of checkpoints or manual saves, forcing players to replay entire levels after dying, which can be very frustrating.
- Some graphical and technical limitations due to its age, including a low resolution and frame rate cap.
- story116 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story of "Indiana Jones and the Emperor's Tomb" is generally regarded as a classic Indiana Jones adventure, featuring familiar elements such as treasure hunting, Nazi antagonists, and exotic locations. While some players find the narrative engaging and reminiscent of the films, others criticize it for being clichéd or lacking depth, with a few noting that it feels more like a prequel to "Temple of Doom." Overall, the game captures the spirit of the franchise, though opinions vary on its execution and storytelling quality.
“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 story is well done and enjoyable.”
“The game features a great plot with twists that you'd expect from any Indiana Jones title.”
“Unfortunately, there is not a lot of storytelling throughout the game, apart from a few cutscenes to take you to the next level.”
“The story isn't up to par with other LucasArts Indiana Jones games, but I'd say it's the most fun Indiana Jones game yet.”
“The plot is almost non-existent and it has little time for downtime.”
- gameplay81 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The gameplay of this Indiana Jones title is a blend of classic adventure and brawling mechanics, reminiscent of Tomb Raider, offering a fun and engaging experience with a mix of puzzles and combat. While some mechanics feel dated and clunky, the overall gameplay remains enjoyable, with satisfying hand-to-hand combat and a nostalgic atmosphere that appeals to fans of the franchise. Despite its age, the game holds up well, providing a solid adventure for those willing to overlook its graphical limitations and occasional frustrating controls.
“Classic Indiana Jones with Tomb Raider style gameplay.”
“Fun adventure game with an entertaining brawling mechanic and some simple puzzles.”
“The gameplay is freaking awesome.”
“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.”
- graphics65 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game, while considered dated by modern standards, are generally praised for their quality relative to its 2003 release date, with many reviewers noting that they have aged well and still look good today. The visuals are described as nostalgic and charming, with attention to detail in the environments, although some mechanics and animations may not hold up as well. Overall, the graphics contribute positively to the game's atmosphere and enjoyment, especially for fans of the franchise.
“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.”
“The graphics actually aged very well, and they really convey the places and era they represent.”
“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.”
“Graphics are awful”
- music57 mentions
- 49 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
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 iconic themes reminiscent of John Williams' scores. While some reviewers noted that the soundtrack can be repetitive, the overall atmosphere and emotional engagement it provides significantly enhance the gameplay experience, making it a standout aspect of the game. Many players feel that the music not only complements the action but also contributes to a nostalgic and immersive adventure.
“This adventurous game is full of action and colorful settings, which is enhanced by Clint Bajakian's music.”
“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 amazing and the hand-to-hand combat is quite satisfying.”
“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.”
- stability21 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 86 % negative mentions
The game's stability is characterized by a significant number of bugs and glitches, particularly affecting controls, camera angles, and animations, which can lead to frustrating gameplay experiences. While many players find these issues amusing or tolerable, especially given the game's low price, others express dissatisfaction with the frequency and impact of these glitches, particularly in critical moments. Overall, the game runs adequately but is marred by persistent technical problems that can detract from the overall experience.
“No glitches”
“No freezes”
“This game is really good, but it's a bit not buggy or glitchy; just controls and feelings. By feelings, I mean mouse movement feels a bit clunky. Besides that, it's really good. Oh, and it doesn't support 1080p and runs at 30fps; you will have to find a way to change this.”
“This game, on the other hand, has way too many fight scenes, with hard enemies in later stages. The fighting controls are mostly okay, but sometimes buggy.”
“Coincidentally, the game only glitches when I'm at the end of the level and I die, and there are no saves or checkpoints. It's frustratingly repetitive.”
“The controls are flimsy and loose, the camera is floaty, and the game is buggy. The constant breathing sound from the character is the most annoying thing I've had to deal with in a game in a long time.”
- atmosphere16 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 31 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive qualities, effectively capturing the essence of an Indiana Jones adventure through its engaging music, sound effects, and level design. Players appreciate the nostalgic feel and the combination of various elements that create a compelling experience, despite some clunky gameplay mechanics. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a standout feature that enhances the game's appeal, making it a memorable journey 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, that with the exception of titles like Uncharted 4 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.”
- humor13 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
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 moments that arise from melee combat and the entertaining voice lines, making the overall experience enjoyable and often laugh-out-loud funny. While the story may be forgettable, the game's humor and engaging gameplay create memorable moments that resonate with players.
“There's a variety of weapons, but I enjoyed barehanded melee the most due to how hilarious some combos end up being. 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.”
- optimization6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Overall, the optimization of the game is commendable, especially for a title from 2003, as it runs smoothly on modern hardware with minimal tweaks required. While there are some minor issues like poor anti-aliasing and mapping problems, players report a stable performance without crashes, making it a worthwhile experience for its price.
“For an old 2003 game, it is really worth 2 euros, and I didn't have issues with the game performance.”
“The gameplay loop is still fun, and besides my D-pad and triggers not mapping, the game has run perfectly with no tweaks (I upped the resolution, but it did not affect performance at all).”
“I found that the Emperor’s Tomb runs smoothly on modern hardware with a few tweaks in just a few minutes (higher resolution than 1280x760, uncapped framerate, widescreen fix).”
“The gameplay loop is still fun, but my D-pad and triggers are not mapping correctly, which affects the overall experience. The game has run perfectly with no tweaks, even after I increased the resolution, which did not impact performance at all.”
“For an old 2003 game, it is really worth 2 euros, and I didn't have any issues with the game performance.”
“I am more than happy with the performance.”
- replayability3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
While the game is relatively short compared to "The Infernal Machine" and "Fate of Atlantis," it does provide some replayability through hidden artifacts scattered across levels, earning a replay value rating of 8/10.
“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.”
“I should also mention that there are several artifacts that are hidden throughout the different levels, so there is definitely replay value here.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, particularly due to the level design and frustrating platforming. 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 development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is praised for its depth and progression, contributing significantly to the overall experience. Reviewers highlight the emotional connection and nostalgia it fosters, making it a recommended title for gamers of all types.
“The character development is incredibly rich, allowing players to form deep connections with each character as their stories unfold.”
“I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, making each decision feel impactful and meaningful.”
“The growth of the characters is beautifully crafted, with each arc adding layers to the overall narrative.”
