An epic world-hopping adventure
By Paul Hunter
It's been 15 years since the last Indiana Jones video game, Indiana Jones and the Staff of Kings on PS2, and fans have been eagerly awaiting a new adventure for the iconic archaeologist. Thanks to MachineGames and publisher Bethesda the wait is finaly over as Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is out now on Xbox Series X|S and PC, and hits Game Pass on day one.
Set between the events of Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Last Crusade, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle follows the professor as he gets caught up in a search for an ancient power known as the Great Circle. When a mysterious theft at the Marshall College leads Indy on a globe-trotting quest, you'll find yourself exploring stunning locations like the Vatican, the deserts of Egypt, and the snowy peaks of the Himalayas.
In Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, as you'd expect, the Nazis are also after the secrets of the Great Circle, led by the charismatic and unhinged Emmerich Voss. Following the theft of one of Indy's prized idols, the stage is set for an epic narrative that blends thrilling set piece moments with the humour and charm fans have come to expect from an Indiana Jones story. It's clear from the get-go that MachineGames, known for their work on the Wolfenstein series, have clearly put a lot of care into honouring the legacy of the films.
At the heart of the story is a cat-and-mouse game between Indy and his Nazi adversaries, leading to plenty of humour, charm, and high-stakes action. Troy Baker does an incredible job portraying the iconic professor, with Indy's wit and determination shining through in every cutscene. The script does an excellent job of honouring the legacy of the films, capturing the spirit of the original adventures while weaving a fresh and captivating tale.
The supporting cast, including the intrepid journalist Gina Lombardi, adds depth and nuance to the narrative, and her relationships with Indy feel authentic and well-developed. Even the villainous Voss is a captivating antagonist, his fanatical obsession with the Great Circle making him a formidable and unpredictable foe.
One of the standout elements of the story is the way it seamlessly integrates historical details and ancient mysteries into the plot. As you uncover clues and delve into the history of the Great Circle, you'll be swept up in a sense of wonder and discovery, much like Indy himself. The game does a fantastic job of making you feel like a true globe-trotting explorer, unearthing long-lost artefacts and piecing together the puzzle of this ancient power.
Whether you're a long-time devotee of the franchise or simply looking for an adventurous new game to dive into, The Great Circle delivers an experience worthy of the iconic archaeologist's name. Strap on your fedora, grab your trusty whip, and get ready to embark on an unforgettable journey.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle's gameplay blends classic adventure elements with a fresh take on stealth and combat—all in an immersive first-person perspective. Rather than focusing primarily on gunplay, the developers at MachineGames have crafted an experience that encourages you to approach challenges in a more thoughtful and nuanced manner.
There's a major emphasis on stealth, and you'll often find yourself infiltrating Nazi-occupied areas, needing to carefully navigate through the shadows and take out foes silently. The stealth mechanics are satisfyingly robust, allowing you to crouch, hide in cover, and takedown enemies without alerting nearby patrols. The level design is particularly well-suited to this approach, offering multiple paths and vantage points to plan your sneaky approach.
When combat is unavoidable, the game shines with its melee-focused combat system. Indy is adept at using makeshift weapons like pipes, shovels, and even his trusty whip to take down foes in up-close and personal confrontations. The animations bring a real sense of physicality to these brawls, with Indy delivering powerful strikes and grappling moves. While the system is relatively simple, there's a satisfying rhythm to mastering the timing of blocks and counterattacks.
Another huge focus of the gameplay is the puzzle-solving. As you explore the game's richly detailed environments, you'll come across a variety of environmental puzzles that task you with using your problem-solving and observational skills. These range from deciphering ancient hieroglyphics to manipulating mechanisms to uncover hidden paths. The puzzles strike a nice balance between challenge and reward, never feeling too obtuse or frustrating. There are multiple difficulty settings and on the lightest setting the puzzles will be simplified, great for those who prefer getting right back into action.
Complementing the core gameplay loop are the various traversal and exploration mechanics. Indy is a nimble adventurer, able to scale walls, shimmy across ledges, and navigate treacherous terrain. For most traversal mechanics the camera will temporarily switch to third-person, giving you a good view of Indy and making it easier to see where to jump or slide to next. These movement systems are responsive and intuitive, allowing you to fluidly navigate the game's environments. Exploration is further encouraged by the inclusion of numerous optional side activities and collectibles, giving you ample reason to thoroughly scour each location.
Visually, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is breathtaking in its fidelity. Leveraging the id Tech 7 engine, the game succeeds in recreating environments rich in detail and atmosphere. From the golden sands of Egypt to the snowy peaks of the Himalayas, and the vistas of Rome and the Dome, each location is a true work of art. The game also features meticulous historical recreations of the ancient periods, undoubtedly the result of a team of historian experts. This is particularly evident in the sequences set in Italy and the Vatican, where not only is the architectural reconstruction faithful, but even the posters and newspaper articles seem straight out of the Fascist era.
The character models are also incredibly detailed, with particular attention paid to Indy's appearance, which is very faithful to Harrison Ford's face. All the main characters feature exquisite details that let you appreciate their facial expressions and realistic animations. While the game does not use advanced technologies like strand-based rendering for hair, and does not reach the levels of excellence of games like Uncharted, the overall result is extremely convincing.
The Great Circle employs ray-traced global illumination that gives lighting a natural look, particularly in interior areas when Indy is holding a torch or when sunlight peeks through the roof. Lights diffuse realistically, creating realistic shadows that gives depth to each scene. This is particularly important since the game regularly has you venturing through historical tombs where realistic lighting is paramount.
The audio side is simply exceptional. The soundtrack, composed by Gordy Haab, perfectly captures the spirit of John Williams' music, with epic themes and tense moments that keep you glued to the screen. The sound effects, like the famous fist and whip noises, are rendered in an absolutely authentic way, including the echo and volume variations depending on the distance between the characters. The voice acting is of cinematic quality, with Indiana Jones, voiced by Troy Baker, sounds pitch-perfect like Harrison Ford. Gina and Voss also sound excellent and deliver each line with conviction.
Final Score: 9/10 - Amazing
Developer: MachineGames
Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
Genre: Action Adventure, Stealth
Modes: Single-player
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)
A key was provided by the publisher.

By Paul Hunter
It's been 15 years since the last Indiana Jones video game, Indiana Jones and the Staff of Kings on PS2, and fans have been eagerly awaiting a new adventure for the iconic archaeologist. Thanks to MachineGames and publisher Bethesda the wait is finaly over as Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is out now on Xbox Series X|S and PC, and hits Game Pass on day one.
Set between the events of Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Last Crusade, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle follows the professor as he gets caught up in a search for an ancient power known as the Great Circle. When a mysterious theft at the Marshall College leads Indy on a globe-trotting quest, you'll find yourself exploring stunning locations like the Vatican, the deserts of Egypt, and the snowy peaks of the Himalayas.

In Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, as you'd expect, the Nazis are also after the secrets of the Great Circle, led by the charismatic and unhinged Emmerich Voss. Following the theft of one of Indy's prized idols, the stage is set for an epic narrative that blends thrilling set piece moments with the humour and charm fans have come to expect from an Indiana Jones story. It's clear from the get-go that MachineGames, known for their work on the Wolfenstein series, have clearly put a lot of care into honouring the legacy of the films.
At the heart of the story is a cat-and-mouse game between Indy and his Nazi adversaries, leading to plenty of humour, charm, and high-stakes action. Troy Baker does an incredible job portraying the iconic professor, with Indy's wit and determination shining through in every cutscene. The script does an excellent job of honouring the legacy of the films, capturing the spirit of the original adventures while weaving a fresh and captivating tale.
The supporting cast, including the intrepid journalist Gina Lombardi, adds depth and nuance to the narrative, and her relationships with Indy feel authentic and well-developed. Even the villainous Voss is a captivating antagonist, his fanatical obsession with the Great Circle making him a formidable and unpredictable foe.
One of the standout elements of the story is the way it seamlessly integrates historical details and ancient mysteries into the plot. As you uncover clues and delve into the history of the Great Circle, you'll be swept up in a sense of wonder and discovery, much like Indy himself. The game does a fantastic job of making you feel like a true globe-trotting explorer, unearthing long-lost artefacts and piecing together the puzzle of this ancient power.
Whether you're a long-time devotee of the franchise or simply looking for an adventurous new game to dive into, The Great Circle delivers an experience worthy of the iconic archaeologist's name. Strap on your fedora, grab your trusty whip, and get ready to embark on an unforgettable journey.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle's gameplay blends classic adventure elements with a fresh take on stealth and combat—all in an immersive first-person perspective. Rather than focusing primarily on gunplay, the developers at MachineGames have crafted an experience that encourages you to approach challenges in a more thoughtful and nuanced manner.
There's a major emphasis on stealth, and you'll often find yourself infiltrating Nazi-occupied areas, needing to carefully navigate through the shadows and take out foes silently. The stealth mechanics are satisfyingly robust, allowing you to crouch, hide in cover, and takedown enemies without alerting nearby patrols. The level design is particularly well-suited to this approach, offering multiple paths and vantage points to plan your sneaky approach.
When combat is unavoidable, the game shines with its melee-focused combat system. Indy is adept at using makeshift weapons like pipes, shovels, and even his trusty whip to take down foes in up-close and personal confrontations. The animations bring a real sense of physicality to these brawls, with Indy delivering powerful strikes and grappling moves. While the system is relatively simple, there's a satisfying rhythm to mastering the timing of blocks and counterattacks.
Another huge focus of the gameplay is the puzzle-solving. As you explore the game's richly detailed environments, you'll come across a variety of environmental puzzles that task you with using your problem-solving and observational skills. These range from deciphering ancient hieroglyphics to manipulating mechanisms to uncover hidden paths. The puzzles strike a nice balance between challenge and reward, never feeling too obtuse or frustrating. There are multiple difficulty settings and on the lightest setting the puzzles will be simplified, great for those who prefer getting right back into action.
Complementing the core gameplay loop are the various traversal and exploration mechanics. Indy is a nimble adventurer, able to scale walls, shimmy across ledges, and navigate treacherous terrain. For most traversal mechanics the camera will temporarily switch to third-person, giving you a good view of Indy and making it easier to see where to jump or slide to next. These movement systems are responsive and intuitive, allowing you to fluidly navigate the game's environments. Exploration is further encouraged by the inclusion of numerous optional side activities and collectibles, giving you ample reason to thoroughly scour each location.

Visually, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is breathtaking in its fidelity. Leveraging the id Tech 7 engine, the game succeeds in recreating environments rich in detail and atmosphere. From the golden sands of Egypt to the snowy peaks of the Himalayas, and the vistas of Rome and the Dome, each location is a true work of art. The game also features meticulous historical recreations of the ancient periods, undoubtedly the result of a team of historian experts. This is particularly evident in the sequences set in Italy and the Vatican, where not only is the architectural reconstruction faithful, but even the posters and newspaper articles seem straight out of the Fascist era.
The character models are also incredibly detailed, with particular attention paid to Indy's appearance, which is very faithful to Harrison Ford's face. All the main characters feature exquisite details that let you appreciate their facial expressions and realistic animations. While the game does not use advanced technologies like strand-based rendering for hair, and does not reach the levels of excellence of games like Uncharted, the overall result is extremely convincing.
The Great Circle employs ray-traced global illumination that gives lighting a natural look, particularly in interior areas when Indy is holding a torch or when sunlight peeks through the roof. Lights diffuse realistically, creating realistic shadows that gives depth to each scene. This is particularly important since the game regularly has you venturing through historical tombs where realistic lighting is paramount.
The audio side is simply exceptional. The soundtrack, composed by Gordy Haab, perfectly captures the spirit of John Williams' music, with epic themes and tense moments that keep you glued to the screen. The sound effects, like the famous fist and whip noises, are rendered in an absolutely authentic way, including the echo and volume variations depending on the distance between the characters. The voice acting is of cinematic quality, with Indiana Jones, voiced by Troy Baker, sounds pitch-perfect like Harrison Ford. Gina and Voss also sound excellent and deliver each line with conviction.

The Verdict
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle emerges as one of the most captivating adventures the legendary archaeologist has embarked upon. MachineGames has crafted an experience that wonderfully evokes the spirit of the classic films, delivering a narrative that seamlessly slots into the established timeline. From the stunning environments to the superb voice acting to the rousing musical score, the end-to-end production values are exceptional. I'd even go so far as to say as it reaches the dizzying heights of the silver screen outings, a testament to how polished Indy's latest adventure is.Final Score: 9/10 - Amazing

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle details
Platform: Xbox Series X|S, PCDeveloper: MachineGames
Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
Genre: Action Adventure, Stealth
Modes: Single-player
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)
A key was provided by the publisher.