Although plenty of games have had players take on the role of the legendary archaeologist Indiana Jones, MachineGames' Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is the very first to do so from the first-person perspective. Headed up by Chronicles of Riddick game director Jens Andersson and developed by the team behind action-packed, narrative-driven first-person shooters like the recent Wolfenstein series, MachineGames is uniquely suited for delivering the kind of cinematic Indy experience that franchise fans expect.
Ahead of its Gamescom presentation, The Best War Games was given an early look at around 15 minutes of gameplay footage of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle highlighting the game's traversal, puzzle-solving, and progression mechanics along with some key locales like the Vatican, Egypt, and the Himalayas. Taking place in 1937 shortly after the events of Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indy is once again punching, whipping, and shooting Nazis as he races to uncover a world-spanning archaeological mystery.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is Playing Well on a Series Strength
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is building on many of the franchise's strengths, and one in particular looks well-realized so far.
Players Have Access To Indiana Jones' Iconic Arsenal
The gameplay in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is centered around Indiana Jones' classic arsenal: his trusty whip, a revolver, and his fists. Fistfighting in particular is shown to have more depth than merely spamming the "punch" button, as Indy will need to block, parry, and time his blows in melee combat, and he can also grab and throw enemies off of ledges. Indy's whip is also shown to be an effective mid-range weapon, while it's a vital tool outside of combat as well.
Some exploration footage showed Indy grabbing a spear from the ground, chucking it at a wall, and then swinging across a gap with his whip. Improvised use of environmental objects showed many uses, from throwing objects to distract or stun enemies to retrieving torches that can burn down an obstacle or fend off a swarm of scorpions. Additionally, Indy can pick up the weapons of fallen enemies for some extra firepower.
Another tool at Indy's disposal is his camera, which uncovers insights that can be logged in his ever-expanding journal. The journal starts off as a blank slate, but over time gets populated with maps, photos, and clues as Indy makes discoveries. Unlike a typical quest log in many games that might remove a completed objective once it's done, the journal serves as a reminder of everything Indy has seen so far.
Uncovering these clues and taking photos with the camera are also primary means for earning Adventure Points, which are the game's primary progression system. Adventure Points can be spent on dozens of unlocks that improve certain playstyles. One unlock called True Grit was shown giving Indy a second chance to fight after taking lethal damage.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Features Contemplative Puzzles and Exciting Setpieces
On the adventure side, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle runs the gamut from contemplative puzzle-solving within dark ruins to adrenaline-fueled setpiece moments like an aerial battle where Indy hops from the wing of one plane to another. The puzzle-solving appears to be quite immersive and is seamlessly integrated into the environment, bringing to mind puzzlers like Myst or The Room as Indy observes the environment, taking photos for potential clues.
One that was shown involved aligning a series of mirrors within a tomb to reflect light toward the appropriate spot. Meanwhile, other situations might call for Indy to don a disguise, such as when he infiltrates the Vatican in the garb of a priest. There is some open-ended exploration thrown in as well where Indy is encouraged to explore larger areas to uncover clues or engage in some potential side mysteries. Although not a full-blown open-world game, it looks to be less linear than a typical adventure game in this style.
The incredibly detailed environments, surprisingly convincing vocal performance from Troy Baker, and the first-person perspective all lead to a game where players truly feel they are Indiana Jones rather than merely controlling an Indiana Jones-like avatar, and it's an exciting prospect for fans of the franchise or of adventure games in general. Although no hard release date was given, MachineGames says fans can expect Indiana Jones and the Great Circle to be released sometime in 2024.
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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?
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
