Previews// LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures - Xbox 360

The game mechanics take little explanation. In a nutshell, you platform, puzzle and fight your way through the plots of the three films. Players start off as Indy, but can alternate with members of his supporting cast right through the game, playing as the likes of Short Round and Marcus Brody.

As you progress, more characters are added to your collection and it's possible to go back and play earlier levels with unlocked chums at your side in Free Play. They each have different attributes that open up options that aren't available through story mode. These include hatches that need a small character to get through them and great big statues that can only be handled by Thuggee characters.

Swapping between characters as you go is a necessity. In the Well of Souls level, for example, you'll find Indy's fear of snakes kicking in and it's necessary to to switch over to Sallah in order to clear a route for him. For some reason women can jump higher than men, so playing as Elsa Schneider is necessary in Venice, for example, in order to reach a high-up key.

If I'm making Indy himself sound a bit rubbish, don't worry, he's not. His whip is probably the most useful tool in the box. It can be used for long-range attacks, pulling out-of-reach objects closer and swinging over gaping chasms. Playing as Indy also makes you feel the most manly. True story.

The overall feel of the game is one of straight-up fun. It has no pretensions – it's a kids' game that is meant to provide a good time. The majority of the game is good clean fun that avoids being condescending. It's just challenging enough that it keeps you interested; easy enough that it keeps you moving. That's the majority of the game.

There were, alas, some head versus wall incidents prompted by the puzzle sections. You know those points in games when you think the developers have just done something horrendously wrong and there's literally no way to get any further? I experienced a couple of those. There were certain points where I was sure that there was actually something wrong with the game - some crucial, puzzle-solving object was surely missing - and I had to walk away then come back later with a fresh brain.

Maybe it's inadequacy on the part of my grey matter, but I'm a reasonably intelligent chap and I struggled at some points. I can do hard sudokus, understand Shakespeare and walk around without bumping into things too often. I'm not saying that makes me streaks ahead of your average 10 year old, but I'd like to think that if I struggled, they'll struggle.

Those occasions were in the minority. For the most part, the puzzles are challenging without provoking frustration. Rewarding, you might say.

You might say it for the more platform-y elements of the game, too. They're simple pleasures, in much the same way that running really really fast is before you're old enough to start smoking and kill the joy. Simple as that, really.

The platforming elements do suffer from moments where depth perception is a problem and you'll think you're cosily jumping to the next platform only to find yourself plummeting to your doom. Since you instantly respawn in the spot where you just died and have an infinite number of lives, however, it's not a major gripe unless you're dead set on accumulating as much treasure (which you lose a chunk of when you die) as you humanly can.

The combat takes the form of melee attacks interspersed with using various weapons and objects you find lying around. Again, it's straightforward fun. Not too challenging, but safe from becoming boring.

If you're looking for a fun diversion that's... well, fun. And straightforward. And fun! If you're looking for those things and can get past occasional moments of frustration, LEGO Indiana Jones is looking like a good bet... and did I say, fun?