Indiana Jones is one of the most iconic characters in movie history, and while the writing behind the rugged hero was instrumental in making him a renowned figure, it was Harrison Ford's performance that brought him to life. Carrying over the same rogueish charm from Han Solo, but injecting a level of suave sophistication and intelligence that the space smuggler just doesn't have, Harrison Ford's portrayals of Indiana Jones are well-loved. So, naturally, capturing that performance was no easy feat for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.
Rather than get the now 82-year-old Harrison Ford back to play a 38-year-old Indy, developer MachineGames decided to hire a new actor to try and fill the hero's leather boots. Against all odds, industry icon Troy Baker has arguably just made the performance of his career, delivering a remarkable portrayal that feels genuinely authentic. Along with doing a great Harrison Ford impression, Troy Baker's performance in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle features some subtleties that really seal the deal.
Troy Baker's Performance in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Gets So Much Right
Troy Baker's Voice Is Doing Much More Than a Harrison Ford Impression
At the most surface-level, Troy Baker's performance in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle does a great job of sounding like Harrison Ford, with Baker's voice imitating the Hollywood actor's gruffness well. But digging just a bit deeper, there's a lot more to Baker's performance that really elevates this portrayal of Indiana Jones.
Both the game's writing and Troy Baker's performance are willing to take the character of Indiana Jones to a slightly more emotive place than he's usually in. While Harrison Ford's Indiana Jones has both quiet moments of reflection and louder moments of anger or concern, Troy Baker adds a slightly deeper emotional level to Indy's tone, with each little remark giving away a bit more about how the character's feeling at that moment.
For instance, in The Great Circle, Indy will frequently talk to himself, remarking on something that's just happened or questioning something that's currently occurring. In each of these remarks, Troy Baker's performance hides a subtle layer of emotive expression that reveals a bit more about Indy's emotional state, such as concern, caution, or excitement. For a game that's mostly played in first-person, these subtle moments of emotional reflection are vital, allowing players to maintain a connection to Indy without seeing his face.
Troy Baker Nails The Mannerisms of Indiana Jones
But Troy Baker's performance as Indiana Jones goes far beyond just his voice. What really cements Troy Baker's Indiana Jones and the Great Circle performance as truly authentic is the actor's physicality, and more specifically, the little mannerisms that he's managed to capture from Harrison Ford's portrayal of the beloved adventurer.
When Harrison Ford's Indy is puzzled by an ancient trap or inscription, he rubs his chin. When Indy is trying to solve a riddle, his eyes dart around the room wildly. When Indy is trying to excitedly make a point, he physically points, either to the person he's talking to or to the artifact he's discussing. And when Indy is trying to kid himself into believing he has a situation under control, his mouth curls into a sly smirk. All of these subtle mannerisms combine to make Indiana Jones the character fans know and love, and Troy Baker carries each and every one into his own performance in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.
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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
