Whip-smart, globe-trotting, and gloriously old-school — Indiana Jones is back in the adventure of a lifetime.
After years of speculation and anticipation, Indiana Jones & The Great Circle arrives like a bullwhip crack across the face of modern adventure gaming. Developed by MachineGames (of Wolfenstein fame) and published by Bethesda, this title blends cinematic storytelling, brain-teasing puzzles, and satisfying first-person action to deliver a true return to form for one of pop culture’s most enduring heroes. Simply put, The Great Circle is the Indiana Jones game fans have been waiting decades for.
Set between Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Last Crusade, The Great Circle crafts an original narrative that still feels deeply rooted in the Indy canon. From the opening sequence—an artifact theft in the Himalayas gone wrong—players are thrown into a globe-trotting mystery involving ancient technology, secret societies, and a conspiracy dating back to antiquity. It’s classic Indy fare, but elevated by modern writing and a confident sense of pacing. The voice acting, led by Troy Baker as Indy, is top-tier; he channels Harrison Ford’s gruff charm without sounding like a parody.
Visually, the game stuns. Whether navigating the crumbling ruins of an African temple, creeping through Nazi-occupied Venice, or solving glyph puzzles beneath the sands of Egypt, The Great Circle offers a globe-trotting travelogue that never stops impressing. The environments are richly detailed and atmospheric, with lighting and sound design that transport you straight into a pulp adventure novel. The musical score, while original, pays homage to John Williams’ iconic themes, swelling in all the right moments.
Gameplay-wise, The Great Circle is a confident hybrid of first-person action and third-person puzzle-solving. Most of the game unfolds in first-person, with Indy’s trademark whip doubling as both a traversal and combat tool. Whether you’re disarming foes, swinging across chasms, or snagging distant levers, the whip is the game’s most versatile mechanic—and one that never gets old. Firearms also feature, but are limited (true to the character), with melee and environmental takedowns playing a more significant role. The action is solid, but it’s in the quieter, more cerebral moments where the game truly shines.
Puzzle design is a standout, and this is where The Great Circle earns its stripes as more than just a linear action title. Each tomb or lost city is layered with environmental storytelling and logic-based challenges. These puzzles respect the player’s intelligence, often requiring observation, note-taking, or manipulation of ancient mechanisms. Think Tomb Raider or Uncharted, but with a slower, more methodical pace and a heavier emphasis on history and myth. When you finally unlock a door or decipher a long-lost dialect, it feels like a genuine archaeological triumph.
The game’s length—clocking in around 15–20 hours—is just right for the story it wants to tell. There’s some optional exploration and collectibles, but this isn’t an open-world game, and it’s better for it. The tightly curated experience means the pacing rarely flags, and every set piece feels meaningful.
As for criticisms, there are a few nitpicks. Some enemy AI can be inconsistent, and the stealth mechanics, while present, lack depth. There are also a couple of brief sections where the first-person platforming can feel a little imprecise. But these moments are minor in the grand adventure.
In an era crowded with sequels, reboots, and open-world bloat, Indiana Jones & The Great Circle is refreshingly focused. It respects its roots while pushing the genre forward. More importantly, it makes you feel like Indiana Jones—resourceful, daring, and always one clever step ahead of danger.
This is a game made with love and reverence, not just for the source material, but for the spirit of adventure itself.
Verdict:
Indiana Jones & The Great Circle is a masterclass in cinematic adventure gaming. It balances action, exploration, and puzzle-solving with confidence and flair. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or new to the franchise, this is a journey well worth taking.
Score: 94%
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