- Based on Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine for PC
- Whip, leap, climb, crawl and swim your way through amazing 3D environments
- Survive the challenge of hungry critters, hostile robots, weird monsters, half the Red Army and more (including ? oh no ? snakes!)
- Puzzle your way through 17 chapters of a gripping, action-packed story
- Travel the world to exotic locales, from the ruins of Babylon to the labyrinths of the Nubian Kings
- All the weapons you'll need, including automatic pistols, machine guns, grenades, satchel charges, bazookas and, of course, Indy's trusty whip and revolver
- Engine completely recoded by Factor 5 for maximum performance on N64
- 4MB Expansion Pak support ? game runs in high-resolution mode
- New animation system corrects clunky, awkward movement of the PC version
- New lighting effects, water transparencies and soft-skinning on characters adds even more realism to an already realistic title.
- Loads of in-game speech and brilliant surround sound using Factor 5's trademark compression techniques.
Story According to LucasArts
The game begins when the CIA, led by Indy's old friend Sophia Hapgood, brings him alarming evidence that a Soviet physicist, Gennadi Volodnikov, has been searching the site of the Tower of Babel. The Soviets are looking for evidence of an ancient machine that can open the door to a parallel dimension called the Aetherium. Volodnikov and his Communist henchmen are anxiously trying to reassemble the machine, but need to find several crucial parts to get it working. The missing parts, scattered throughout the far corners of the globe, are the targets of Indy's quest.
Gameplay
Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine is bound to be compared to the Tomb Raider franchise, which is somewhat ironic because the Tomb Raider franchise is obviously inspired by Indy. Like Tomb Raider, the title is a third-person 3D action-adventure, but instead of controlling the voluptuous Lara Croft, you take on the role of Indiana Jones himself. Indy can crawl, run, leap, swing and climb his way through all of the game's lush 3D environments ? and of course he can also use a whip, as well as a complement of weapons including automatic pistols, rifles, a bazooka, hand grenades and satchel charges, to name a few.
Complaints about the PC version of the game included sloppy, mechanical control and lacking animation. Factor 5 and LucasArts have addressed both of these oversights for the Nintendo 64 version of the game. Indy 64 utilizes full analog control so that precise movement is now possible; whereas Indy could only break into a run before, it's now possible to walk slowly, moving faster and faster as deemed necessary. Another example is the whipping system, which was very difficult to use correctly in the PC version as it was a serious chore to correct align Indy with ledges and potential whipping locations. The N64 version quickly identifies locations where a whip can be used so that you won't have to waste time attempting to position Indy correctly. Not enough? How about a newly implemented Z-targeting system? Take a bow from Zelda, Factor 5 and LucasArts have included the feature to lock-on to enemies and strafe around them using the Z-trigger. This simple extra alone works wonders to eliminate some of the "clunk" of the PC version. Subtle, but nonetheless important additions like these cater The Infernal Machine to the console market, and that's exactly what we want.
It's Indy, and as such it's simply must take you on a trip through exotic locales on dangerous quests for priceless artifacts ? and the Infernal Machine doesn't disappoint. You'll be able to guide Jones through spectacular lands from the ruins of ancient Babylon to the mysterious Tjan Shan Mountain region in Kazakstan, the Aztec pyramids in Teotihaucan, and much, much more. Original adventures include everything from guiding a raft through an exciting descent of white-water rapids to an impressive off-road jeep chase. And what Indy game would be complete with out the rollercoaster-like mine car ride? It's all in there.
Outlook
IGN64 crept into Nintendo's E3 booth earlier today and had a quick go with Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine N64, and we've got some great news: it's truly excellent. Factor 5 and LucasArts have really whipped the disorganized PC game into shape for its 64-bit debut, complete with a tightly coded new engine, and welcomed additions like real-time lighting effects, soft-skinning, a completely new animation system, a Zelda-esque Z-targeting system, analog support, and more ? all running in high-resolution mode with a smooth framerate. Can you say "whoa"? Go ahead, this game deserves it.
Considering Nintendo 64 still hasn't received a Tomb Raider game, this is exactly the genre gap filler the system needs. An average PC game made great thanks to a little overtime by Factor 5 and LucasArts. Who would've thought N64 could outperform a high-end computer? Believe it. Definitely one to look out for.
Be sure to read our E3 angled hands-on impressions of Indiana Jones entitled Bull Whipping with Indy.
