Heavily inspired by classic 1930s serials like Zorro and Tim Tyler's Luck, Indiana Jones is an adventure franchise through and through. Though the context changes entry by entry, each Indiana Jones movie sees the eponymous hero striving after some kind of special treasure, having to overcome a series of thrilling challenges along the way in daring fashion. It's hard to capture that adventurous spirit properly in video game form, but Indiana Jones and the Great Circle generally does a great job.
Leading entries in the modern adventure video game genre like Uncharted and Tomb Raider have often focused on the action side of the genre, delivering explosive set pieces and intense chase sequences. While Indiana Jones and the Great Circle has its fair share of action, it takes a very different approach from its contemporaries regarding its pacing, with much of its runtime being dedicated to slower-paced exploration. Thankfully, that exploration is heavily rewarded.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Tells Another Unfortunate 2024 Game Awards Story
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle's release timing puts it at a disadvantage at 2025's Game Awards, callling for a change in date for the ceremony.
How Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Incentivizes Exploration
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle's Exploration Rewards Players With Puzzles
When dropped into one of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle's open areas, the general gameplay loop will begin with players receiving a new quest and heading to the objective marker clearly indicated on the map. While players can choose to run straight to the objective, there will be a wealth of optional avenues to explore along the way, such as tents with open doorways or building interiors that can be accessed through an open window.
Exploring these optional areas will often see players come face to face with a brief environmental puzzle. These puzzles range from safe codes that require some clue deduction, to more elaborate puzzles that use objects and scenery items, such as the alphabetical bookcase puzzle that can be found in Father Ventura's office in the Vatican. These puzzles are always short and sweet, fueling the player's adventurous spirit in bite-sized bursts.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle's Exploration Leads to Worthwhile Upgrades
Of course, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle's puzzles offer a much more tangible reward as well. Completing one of Indy's puzzles will reward players with some Adventure Points, which they can then use to unlock a variety of skill upgrades, such as increased melee damage and the ability to carry extra resources.
To gain the ability to unlock these skills, however, players will first need to find their respective books, many of which are hidden around Indiana Jones and the Great Circle's open areas, thus further encouraging thorough exploration. Some of these upgrade books are hidden behind side quests that can only be unlocked by players finding a specific disguise, which, again, is hidden somewhere in the environment.
Exploring Indiana Jones and the Great Circle's World Sees Players Stumble Upon Some Breathtaking Vistas
While hunting open areas for disguises, puzzles, side quest objectives, collectibles, or upgrade books, players will naturally stumble upon some absolutely breathtaking environments, some of which would have been missed entirely if players only stuck to the golden path. While Indiana Jones and the Great Circle's upgrades and puzzles are the main incentive to explore the map thoroughly, it's always a fun surprise to be suddenly met with a stunning view of Rome's glistening rooftops, or an ancient underground forge that's been undisturbed for centuries, or a real-world historical building interior that's been lovingly recreated.
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 87 /100 Critics Rec: 94%
- Released
- December 9, 2024
- ESRB
- T For Teen // Blood and Gore, Drug Reference, Mild Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- MachineGames
- Publisher(s)
- Bethesda
- Engine
- id Tech 7
- Franchise
- Indiana Jones
- Number of Players
- 1
WHERE TO PLAY
Uncover one of history’s greatest mysteries in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, a first-person, single-player adventure set between the events of Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Last Crusade. The year is 1937, sinister forces are scouring the globe for the secret to an ancient power connected to the Great Circle, and only one person can stop them - Indiana Jones™. You’ll become the legendary archaeologist in this cinematic action-adventure game from MachineGames, the award-winning studio behind the recent Wolfenstein series, and executive produced by Hall of Fame game designer Todd Howard.
YOU ARE INDIANA JONES
Live the adventure as Indy in a thrilling story full of exploration, immersive action, and intriguing puzzles. As the brilliant archaeologist – famed for his keen intellect, cunning resourcefulness, and trademark humor – you will travel the world in a race against enemy forces to discover the secrets to one of the greatest mysteries of all time.
A WORLD OF MYSTERY AWAITS
Travel from the halls of Marshall College to the heart of the Vatican, the pyramids of Egypt, the sunken temples of Sukhothai, and beyond. When a break-in in the dead of night ends in a confrontation with a mysterious colossal man, you must set out to discover the world-shattering secret behind the theft of a seemingly unimportant artifact. Forging new alliances and facing familiar enemies, you’ll engage with intriguing characters, use guile and wits to solve ancient riddles, and survive intense set-pieces.
WHIP-CRACKING ACTION
Indiana’s trademark whip remains at the heart of his gear and can be used to distract, disarm, and attack enemies. But the whip isn’t just a weapon, it’s Indy’s most valuable tool for navigating the environment. Swing over unsuspecting patrols and scale walls as you make your way through a striking world. Combine stealth infiltration, melee combat, and gunplay to combat the enemy threat and unravel the mystery.
THE SPIRIT OF DISCOVERY
Venture through a dynamic mix of linear, narrative-driven gameplay and open-area maps. Indulge your inner explorer and unearth a world of fascinating secrets, deadly traps,and fiendish puzzles, where anything could potentially hide the next piece of the mystery – or snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Unknown
- PC Release Date
- December 9, 2024
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
- December 9, 2024
- PS5 Release Date
- April 17, 2025
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- X|S Optimized
- Yes
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
