By Isaiah
If you’re anything like me, you’ve been eagerly awaiting the upcoming release of Indiana Jones: The Great Circle on the PS5, the newest chapter in everyone’s favorite archaeologist’s adventures. But before we dive into the future, let’s take a look back at the game that tried (and sometimes failed) to bring the iconic Indiana Jones to video game consoles: Indiana Jones and the Staff of Kings. Released in 2009, this game tried to capture that Raiders of the Lost Ark magic… but did it succeed? Let’s find out.
The Game’s Development: A Legacy of… Multiple Versions?
Indiana Jones and the Staff of Kings was developed by A2M (now known as Behaviour Interactive), and released for the Wii, PS2, DS, PSP, and — let’s be real here — probably your microwave if you tried hard enough. You see, each version of the game was a completely different experience. They weren’t even close to being the same game, kind of like how every Indiana Jones movie has a different vibe but you still get Nazis and whips (thankfully).
Imagine being a developer working on this project in 2007. You’re tasked with bringing one of the most iconic movie franchises to life across multiple platforms, each with its own technical limitations. So, the developers made sure that if you had any console at the time, you could experience the Indiana Jones magic. The only issue? The magic didn’t always work.
Multiple Versions – The “Choose Your Own Disaster” Edition
Let’s start with the DS version. If you’ve ever wanted to experience what Indiana Jones would look like if he were a LEGO character on a 5-inch screen, this was the game for you. The graphics were bad, but not in a nostalgic retro way — more like a “how did they make Indiana look like a pixelated potato” kind of way. The PS2 version was a bit better, but still felt like something you’d find in the discount bin at a retro game store. Combat was clunky, and the physics were, well, there, but only just.
The Wii version was, predictably, the most motion control-heavy, making you swing your remote like you were trying to fight off a particularly feisty windstorm. Sure, it was fun for five minutes, but after that, you started to wonder if your arm was actually going to fall off from flailing.
So yeah, each version had its own… flavor. A flavor that ranged from mild disappointment to full-on confusion. But if you played them all, you could experience Indiana Jones in a way no one else ever would. Or, maybe you just wished you hadn’t.
Gameplay: Whip It Good (Or Just Whip It, Please)
Let’s talk about the most important thing in an Indiana Jones game: the whip. Whipping in Staff of Kings was, to put it mildly, a chaotic experience. The mechanics were unintentionally hilarious — imagine flailing your controller around, hoping to latch onto a vine or knock out an enemy, only to watch Indiana stand there awkwardly. It felt like the game was trolling you.
The whip physics were so bad that it’s probably safer to just grab a real whip and try it yourself. At least you’d have better control over it. And don’t get me started on the motion controls for the Wii version — it felt like the game was actively trying to make you fail. If you could get through an entire level without dislocating your shoulder, you were a true hero.
But, hey, on the bright side, there was punching! So much punching. Unfortunately, it was as satisfying as hitting a brick wall with your fist. The combat wasn’t just clunky; it was downright frustrating. The enemies felt like they were programmed to ignore you half the time, and when they didn’t, you’d be stuck in a repetitive, janky button-mashing loop. And let’s not even talk about the platforming segments. If you wanted Indiana to leap across gaps or swing from ledges, you were in for a treat — because nothing says adventure like failing a jump and watching your character plummet to his doom. Over. And over. And over.
Pros: The Indy Feel… Sort Of
Okay, let’s be real for a second. While Staff of Kings might not have been the most polished game, it still had some elements that captured the spirit of Indiana Jones. First of all, the story. You’re on a classic Indiana Jones adventure filled with Nazis, ancient artifacts, and creepy temples. It had that fun, pulp-action vibe we all love about Indy. If you could ignore the game’s technical issues, you could kind of get lost in the adventure.
The music was also a nice touch. It wasn’t as grand as John Williams’ scores, but it still had that unmistakable Indiana Jones flavor that made you feel like you were ready to face the Nazis and maybe even grab a few treasures along the way.
And the cutscenes, while low-budget, gave you a taste of what Indiana Jones is all about — short, snappy, and full of action. It wasn’t quite the same as a movie, but for a 2009 video game, it was the best we could get.
Cons: More Like “Why Did I Do This to Myself?”
But for all its attempts at being an Indiana Jones adventure, the game had just as many, if not more, flaws. The controls were… let’s say “questionable”. The combat was frustrating and repetitive, the platforming was janky, and the whip didn’t always cooperate. The graphics, especially on the DS and PS2 versions, were a crime against pixels, and the motion controls made you feel like you were just trying to start a fire with two sticks — except you’re failing miserably.
The worst part? The game could never decide what it wanted to be. One minute you’re swinging from vines like a jungle hero, the next you’re punching your way through a maze of repetitive, tedious tasks. It’s like Indiana Jones had an identity crisis.
The Legacy: Is It Worth Playing Today?
So why revisit this mess of a game? Well, for one, it’s historical — a relic from a simpler time when developers didn’t know how to use motion controls without making you want to throw your controller through the wall. And, let’s be real, there’s a certain charm to the chaos. If you’re a true fan of Indiana Jones, you might appreciate it for the nostalgia factor. Otherwise, you’re probably better off watching the movies or playing the much-better Lego Indiana Jones games.
But hey, don’t despair. Indiana Jones: The Great Circle is on the horizon, and from what we’ve seen so far, it looks like the whip will finally get the respect it deserves. The motion controls? Gone. The janky combat? Hopefully fixed. The graphics? Let’s just say the Great Circle is going to be leagues above this relic.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, Indiana Jones and the Staff of Kings was a noble attempt to bring Indy’s charm to video games, but it ultimately fell short in almost every way. Still, for those of us who played it, it’s a piece of gaming history — the bad movie you watch with your friends, knowing it’s terrible, but enjoying it all the same. So, before you get too excited for The Great Circle, maybe take a moment to laugh at the absurdity of this game. And remember: if you ever get stuck, just pretend you’re Indiana Jones, take a deep breath, and whip your controller around wildly. It won’t help, but you might feel better.