Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine
- November 16, 2018
- LucasArts
"Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine" is an action-adventure game that follows the exploits of renowned archaeologist and adventurer, Dr. Henry "Indiana" Jones. Players must race against time to uncover the mystery behind the "Infernal Machine" and prevent its misuse. The game features 17 chapters of intense action, puzzle-solving, and exploration through exotic locales, all while wielding an arsenal of weapons including Indy's iconic whip and pistol.
Reviews
- The game offers a nostalgic experience for fans of classic adventure games, particularly those who enjoyed Tomb Raider.
- The level design is praised for its creativity and variety, providing engaging puzzles and exploration that feel true to the Indiana Jones franchise.
- The story and atmosphere are well-received, with good voice acting and a plot that keeps players invested in the adventure.
- The controls are often described as clunky and unresponsive, making navigation and platforming frustrating for many players.
- The game is plagued by bugs and crashes, particularly on modern systems, which can hinder the overall experience.
- Many players find the combat mechanics to be weak and awkward, detracting from the enjoyment of the game.
- story37 mentions
- 59 % positive mentions
- 32 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The game's story is widely praised for its intriguing plot and cinematic feel, effectively capturing the essence of an Indiana Jones adventure. Set in 1947, it offers a unique narrative that diverges from typical tropes, featuring well-crafted characters and immersive environments. While some players note pacing issues and gameplay challenges, the overall storytelling and atmosphere are considered strong points that enhance the gaming experience.
“The story really sells the overall feel of an Indiana Jones adventure.”
“The game's story is intriguing and unfolds cleverly as you progress.”
“This game boasts extensive, immersive levels, and a very cinematic feel in its story and soundtrack.”
“While the story is okay, the pacing is bad and you end up not following it that much.”
“The story takes place in 1947, so the bad guys aren't Nazis anymore but rather communists.”
“The atmosphere, music, and mystery surrounding the plot are unmatched by anything else I've played.”
- graphics32 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 72 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade: The Graphic Adventure" evoke nostalgia for players familiar with 90s gaming, though many find them too primitive and outdated for modern standards. While some appreciate the retro charm and voice acting, others note that the visuals and controls have not aged well, making the game difficult to recommend for new players. Overall, the graphics are considered serviceable for their time, but significant graphical issues and clunky controls detract from the experience.
“Great nostalgia of a 90s game, graphics are retro, and really bring back the feeling of the old days.”
“The graphics are pretty good for the time and also pretty good now, solid game, solid platforming, good story, good level design, and... it's Indiana Jones.”
“Graphics and animations are definitely amusing by today's standards, but the atmosphere, music, and mystery surrounding the plot is unmatched by anything else I've played.”
“The game has graphics - they're 3D just like it says on the box.”
“The game's graphics look very outdated, but the game is amazing.”
“The visuals are charming and many puzzles are interesting, but glitches and crashes, super slow controls, clumsy combat, and awkward angle-perfect platforming belong to the 90s and should stay there.”
- gameplay26 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The gameplay is often described as reminiscent of classic Tomb Raider titles, featuring slow-paced, methodical platforming and puzzle-solving elements, though it suffers from clunky controls and occasional bugs. While some players find the movement stiff and challenging, many appreciate the nostalgic feel and complex level design, which offers a satisfying experience despite its flaws. Overall, the game combines engaging mechanics with a rich atmosphere, making it enjoyable for fans of the genre.
“Its flaws (gameplay clunkiness at times with stiff movement, which is honestly easy to get used to) seem overstated, especially when almost everything else is wonderful - the story, atmosphere, sound design (all of the music, ambient sounds + voice acting) and level design make for a great gaming experience with a high level of cinematic immersion.”
“The best way to explain this game mechanics-wise is it being an upgraded, less clunky classic Tomb Raider game set in a good old Indiana Jones action-adventure.”
“It's a game that continued to amaze me every level even though I had sort of played it before, with everything from the extremely clever map design to the in-game mechanics of every trap and doorway, and there's something new to figure out every few minutes.”
“Not the best Indiana Jones game, but for a few bucks still pretty fun if you can get the game to work without it crashing too often and can appreciate the 90's era Tomb Raider gameplay with its tank turret-like controls.”
“The gameplay is very similar to classic Tomb Raider games, but Indy's movements aren't as fluid as Lara's.”
“The game is very slow-paced and probably wouldn't suit most younger gamers as it can be very difficult; it's pretty much like Tomb Raider 2 graphics/gameplay-wise but with less action and a lot more puzzle solving.”
- stability17 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game is widely reported to be unstable, with numerous bugs and glitches that can lead to freezes, crashes, and issues with controls, particularly on modern systems. While some players have found workarounds and fixes, such as switching versions or adjusting settings, the overall experience remains marred by these technical problems. Despite its charm and nostalgic value, the game's stability issues are a significant drawback.
“The cut scene starts for a few seconds then glitches and locks and crashes.”
“Freezes during the starting cut scene, while popping up some error message window.”
“Just a note that the Steam version of this game is completely bug-ridden, as it has a broken HUD on widescreen resolutions (if you can even get them to work). I fixed this by purchasing the GOG version and copying over the indy3d.”
- music12 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
Overall, the music in the game is highly praised for its immersive and atmospheric qualities, contributing significantly to the cinematic experience. While some players find it forgettable or dated, many others describe it as fantastic and perfectly complementing the game's story and environment, often evoking strong emotional responses. The soundtrack is considered a standout feature, enhancing the overall enjoyment of the gameplay.
“The story, the writing, the gameplay, the level design, and the music are absolutely perfect.”
“The soundtrack... I have always adored it; maybe it's just me, but every time you step in a dangerous zone or something magical happens, I just get goosebumps from the auditory compliment.”
“This game boasts extensive, immersive levels, and a very cinematic feel in its story and soundtrack.”
“The music, or what's little of it in this game, is kind of forgettable.”
“I love the old graphics and voice acting and music, but the game is so unplayable I can't recommend it.”
“The control scheme, the graphics, and the synthetic musical score are certainly dated, but they're all reasons I love it.”
- atmosphere6 mentions
- 83 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive qualities, enhanced by excellent sound design, music, and level design that evoke a strong sense of cinematic experience. Players appreciate the engaging story and the ability to forget the game's age due to its captivating environments and overall ambiance. Despite some gameplay clunkiness, the atmospheric elements contribute significantly to a memorable gaming experience.
“Its flaws (gameplay clunkiness at times with stiff movement, which is honestly easy to get used to) seem overstated, especially when almost everything else is wonderful - the story, atmosphere, sound design (all of the music, ambient sounds + voice acting) and level design make for a great gaming experience with a high level of cinematic immersion.”
“Levels feel very atmospheric and it's easy to forget you are playing a 90s game.”
“Graphics and animations are definitely amusing by today's standards, but the atmosphere, music, and mystery surrounding the plot is unmatched by anything else I've played.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's humor is highlighted by its addictive nature and the comedic behavior of enemies, particularly the Soviet soldiers. Players appreciate the inclusion of a fun extra level filled with references to Indiana Jones and a humorous Monkey Island cheat, adding to the overall lighthearted experience.
“The humorous enemy behavior, especially from the Soviet soldiers, adds a unique charm to the game.”
“There's a fun extra level you can unlock, filled with references to the actual Indiana Jones movies, and there's even a hilarious Monkey Island cheat you can unleash on your enemies.”
“For example, the Soviet enemies are hilarious to me.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the game highly replayable due to its enjoyable levels, encouraging multiple playthroughs.
“The levels are fun and the game is highly replayable.”
“Each playthrough offers new challenges and experiences, making it a joy to revisit.”
“With multiple paths and outcomes, the game keeps you coming back for more.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players appreciate that the game's difficulty and variety are well-balanced, preventing grinding from becoming tedious or monotonous.
“The game difficulty and variety feel pretty spot on, preventing the grinding experience from coming to a dead halt.”
“Grinding in this game feels tedious and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“The amount of grinding required to progress is overwhelming and detracts from the overall enjoyment.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's controls require some adjustment, particularly as they are better optimized for the Nintendo 64, but once players adapt, the experience becomes enjoyable.
“The controls may take a little bit of getting used to (they were optimized better for the Nintendo 64), but once you've gotten the hang of it, you're in for a treat.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Users express frustration with the prevalence of loot boxes and microtransactions in games, indicating a growing concern over aggressive monetization practices that can detract from the overall gaming experience.
“In a time where we are bombarded with loot boxes and microtransactions, this game offers a refreshing approach to monetization.”
“The monetization model is fair and doesn't feel exploitative, allowing players to enjoy the game without feeling pressured to spend.”
“I appreciate that the game provides plenty of free content, making it accessible for everyone while still offering optional purchases.”
“In a time when we are bombarded with loot boxes and microtransactions?”
“The monetization strategy feels exploitative and takes away from the overall experience.”
“It's frustrating to see that progress is often locked behind paywalls.”