E3 2009: First look at LEGO Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues on PSP

Much as Harrison Ford was whipped back into action by Steven Spielberg for the fourth film, Indiana Jones has been snapped up for another LEGO adventure. LEGO Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues is based on classic material from the original trilogy, though freshens things up with new levels, scenarios, characters, and other bonuses. We we're able to get our hands on with the game, but did get a good hearty look at this much-improved portable quest.

The biggest addition in this sequel comes in the form of new levels designed around scenes from the fourth film, subtitled Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. From the notable fight Mutt starts in the diner at the start of the movie to the trek through the jungles of South America, everything is here for you to play in hilarious LEGO form. Playing through these levels the first time follows the film's script, though a second and third play with different characters in Free Play mode offers varying objectives and changes to the levels. For example, replay the diner fight may change the time of day and objective.

Naturally, characters new in the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull such as Professor Oxley and Mutt are making appearances, as well as older version of series stalwarts like Marion. New special abilities accompany a few of this figures too. Mutt, for example, can climb walls and rev up his motorcycle in specific stages. Professor Oxley carries the crystal skull that enables him to lift heavy LEGO objects.

Accompanying these new levels are remixed scenarios from the older films. A revamped network of level hubs replaces the university with individual areas based on the locations that Indy visits in his adventures. For instance, there's a level hub for his adventures in Nepal, another for those set in Cairo during Raiders of the Lost Ark, and a few for levels occurring in Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

The levels based on the original three movies are not copycats of those featured in the previous game. Instead, LEGO Indiana Jones 2 boasts brand new levels, many of which are based on scenes glossed over in the first game. The car chase with Short Round at the being of Temple of Doom was previously a cutscene, but here you're able to race against Lao Che.

If these new levels don't interest you, perhaps the new level editor will. LEGO Indiana Jones 2 grants the ability to create levels from scratch or simply rearrange preset levels for play. We couldn't confirm whether you can share those levels online, but we do know that two player cooperative is being added. Local wireless play via ad-hoc mode was a feature missing from the original that is sure to make this second title more attractive.

LEGO Indiana Jones 2 is already far into development and has been set for a release sometime in the fall on both PSP and DS. As a note, the DS version is expected to differ not just visually but in the functionality of the level editor and the design of the story levels. Both will have cooperative play, though, which has us eager to build in some time to play it when autumn rolls around.