Indiana Jones and the Emperors Tomb Preview

Indiana Jones is back in an all-new adventure for the PS2, Xbox and PC. In joint development between LucasArts and Buffy creators The Collective, Indiana Jones and the Emperor’s Tomb is an action/adventure that looks to be a little different from his previous adventures. <br /> <br /> Set in the Far East in 1935, Indy’s whirlwind adventure plunges him into an international crisis of terrifying magnitude. As the game begins, a powerful underground Asian society, the Black Dragon Triad, and a German mercenary, Albrecht Von Beck, have formed an unholy alliance in the hopes of acquiring the Heart of the Dragon, a black pearl that gives its possessor the power to mold minds. Rumoured to be buried in the crypt of Chinas first emperor, it has been safely hidden for more than two thousand years. Now, with this unwelcome coalition in desperate pursuit of one of the most powerful artifacts known to man, it’s up to Indy to prevent the Heart of the Dragon from falling into the wrong hands. <br /> <br /> Indy enters the race for the Heart at the behest of Marshal K’ai, an Asian businessman who asks him to retrieve the pearl and return it to the government of China. But in order to retrieve the Heart, Indy must first traverse the world to find and assemble the three scattered pieces of the Dragon Seal, the key to unlocking the crypt. Indy won’t be alone in his latest quest, K’ai’s stunningly beautiful assistant, Mei Ying, will be along to aid Jones in his search. <br /> <br /> Utilising The Collective’s proprietary 3D engine that has powered Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Indiana Jones and the Emperor’s Temple is firmly rooted in the traditional action/adventure genre. Emphasis is placed on combat rather then puzzles as seen in previous Indiana Jones games, showcasing the engine’s robust fighting system. This time, in addition to using his trademark whip and pistol, Indy can engage in fierce hand-to-hand combat against foes, many of whom are well-versed in martial arts. Improvised weapons such as shovels, chairs and table legs also can be used to fend off adversaries, whilst you can always whip the weapons from your opponents to use against them. The result is a more immersive and more Indy-like gameplay experience, set amidst spine-tingling movie-like action sequences, such as a rickshaw chase in Hong Kong and a spectacular battle atop moving gondolas in the South China Sea area. <br /> <br /> The game will offer 10 levels, set across a wide variety of different locations, such as a 15th century castle that looms over Prague to an underwater palace in Istanbul. <br /> <br /> Visually the game is coming along a treat, the improvements upon Buffy are clearly visible with outstanding environments each brought to life with their own unique style. The overall look provides a very cinematic experience that moulds action into storytelling seamlessly. <br />