Authenticity is key to capturing the spirit of the original material when it comes to video game adaptations of beloved franchises. This sentiment is at the heart of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, the upcoming first-person action-adventure game by MachineGames, and it goes all the way down to which weapons are available to players as they make their way through its immersive story.
The Best War Games recently spoke with MachineGames about the development of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, during which design director Jens Andersson disclosed some interesting details about how the game subtly encourages players to use melee weapons in combat instead of a gun. While this is the way Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is meant to be played, Andersson reported still being surprised during moments where he had seen that design organically play out when playtesters enjoyed some time with the game ahead of its launch.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Wants Players to Avoid Using Guns
The Indiana Jones IP Requires an Authentic Video Game Adaptation
The Indiana Jones franchise has been around for over 40 years now, which means it has had plenty of time to pick up a significant following, and dedicated fans who have kept up with it since the beginning are now more than familiar with its world and its characters. While that is all well and good, it also means that MachineGames has had a tall order ahead of it with developing Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, as it can't afford to be too liberal with an IP that is now as well-established as Indiana Jones. However, the developer has seemingly pulled out all the stops when crafting an authentic Indiana Jones experience, including its combat.
When attempting to conceptualize Indiana Jones as a video game, combat is likely not the first thing one would think of, as the iconic archaeologist conjures thoughts of delving into ancient history, solving elaborate puzzles, and exploring dark tombs. Even so, not an Indiana Jones film has been made that doesn't show Indy fending off bad guys at some point to either protect or retrieve a valuable artifact of some kind that "belongs in a museum." As such, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle would need to feature combat to some extent, but it would need to do so in a way that reflects what viewers might witness in a film, lest it stray too far from being a genuine representation of the IP.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Makes Players Prefer the Frying Pan Over the Gun
Ahead of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle's release, MachineGames spent plenty of time evaluating the game over the shoulders of playtesters to ensure it stayed true to the blueprint that was laid out for it during its initial phases of development. During that time, the studio was happy to see that one of the most fundamental principles of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle's combat was present in the game, which ultimately resulted in it being a more authentic Indiana Jones experience.
When asked about internal playtests for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle and what the developer might want to see players experience, Andersson replied,
I’ve spent a ton of time in the playtest room for this project, but there are a lot of things that I still really love seeing. One of them is when the tester comes up to a spot with both a frying pan and a rifle; in 99% of the cases, the player will pick the frying pan – because that’s just more fun and the Indy thing to do. I’m still fascinated that we managed to make a game where this happens.
Based on Andersson's observations in the playtest room for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, it seems the developer's goal to create an authentic Indiana Jones experience has been accomplished. Rather than forcing players to use a melee weapon like a frying pan in combat, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle often gives players a choice between something like that and a gun. The very fact that Andersson has seen playtesters pick up the frying pan more often in those cases, rather than the gun, implies an experience that makes players feel so much like Indiana Jones himself that they go for the frying pan out of pure instinct and respect for the character.
In past interviews with The Best War Games, MachineGames disclosed that using a gun in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is a surefire way to make the game harder, as it will only either blow Indy's cover or cause enemies to start fighting back with guns too. And since Indiana Jones is no superhero who can fend off a dozen enemies with guns by himself, it makes sense why this would be the route players would want to avoid. Instead, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle prefers its players to either rely on Indiana's fists to get the job done, the nearest melee weapon they can find, or to simply avoid engaging in combat altogether. That doesn't mean guns aren't viable, but they're not the problem solvers they are in other games.
-
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
