Indiana Jones and the Great Circle was a bit of an enigma for me from the moment it was announced. Given the franchise’s recent struggles at the box office, I questioned whether audiences still had a deep connection to Indiana Jones or if this game could capture the interest of a younger generation. Additionally, the game faced inevitable comparisons to Uncharted and Tomb Raider. Would it be able to step out of their shadow? More importantly, is it a good single-player experience?
Let’s find out.
A Personal Disclaimer
I have to be upfront—I’ve never been the biggest Indiana Jones fan. I don’t dislike the films, but they never truly captivated me. Growing up in the ’90s, I watched The Mummy before experiencing Indiana Jones, and, quite frankly, I enjoyed those films far more. That said, I approached The Great Circle with an open mind, judging it on its merits as a game first and foremost.
Story & Narrative
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle places you directly in the shoes of the legendary archaeologist himself. What begins as an ordinary day at work quickly spirals into a globe-trotting mystery after a sudden break-in. The story adheres closely to the spirit of the films, which is great news for long-time fans. However, as someone with only a passing interest in the franchise, I found it to be a decent, if flawed, experience.
The game starts strong, with its first two levels delivering high-paced, linear action sequences that feel quintessentially Indiana Jones. However, once the game introduces its first semi-open world section—The Vatican—it begins to lose momentum. This pacing issue persists throughout the game, resulting in a story that fluctuates between thrilling set pieces and sluggish exploration.
Gameplay
As Indy, you’ll engage in a mix of melee combat, gunplay, stealth, and puzzle-solving while unraveling the mystery of the Great Circle. The game leans heavily on puzzles and stealth elements, with the former being a standout feature. Though puzzles aren’t particularly frequent, they’re diverse and engaging, often providing the game’s best moments.
The choice to make The Great Circle primarily a first-person experience was a bold one, setting it apart from its genre contemporaries. While this initially seemed like an odd decision, MachineGames managed to make it work. The perspective adds immersion and helps differentiate it from Uncharted and Tomb Raider.
However, while all gameplay elements are functional, none truly shine. The melee system is simplistic and grows repetitive quickly, and the stealth mechanics feel outdated. Enemies have extremely limited awareness—knocking someone out with a guitar often goes unnoticed by others in the same room. If alerted, they return to their routines almost instantly, making stealth feel less like a challenge and more like an afterthought. Enemy AI is laughably predictable, making combat encounters feel formulaic, even on higher difficulties.
Presentation & Performance
One area where The Great Circle excels is its presentation. While it’s not the most visually groundbreaking game, it looks great on the Xbox Series X and holds up well on the Series S. Cutscenes feel cinematic, successfully capturing the tone of an Indiana Jones film.
The soundtrack is another highlight, seamlessly incorporating the iconic themes that fans love. The voice acting is also top-notch, with Troy Baker delivering an outstanding performance as Indiana Jones. His portrayal is so convincing that I often forgot I wasn’t listening to Harrison Ford. The supporting cast also delivers solid performances, further enhancing the game’s cinematic feel.
The game features several impressive set pieces, ranging from linear, tightly controlled action sequences to larger, semi-open world sections. Most areas are well-detailed and thoughtfully designed, preventing environments from feeling repetitive.
A particularly cool feature is how the game dynamically updates its main menu based on your progress. Upon loading, the menu seamlessly blends into your current scene, transitioning smoothly into gameplay—a small but impressive touch.
Cons & Criticisms
While The Great Circle has plenty of positives, it’s held back by a number of issues:
- Inconsistent pacing: The game starts strong but loses steam due to sluggish semi-open world sections that disrupt its flow.
- Repetitive gameplay: Combat and stealth feel basic, lacking depth or progression.
- Simplistic AI: Enemies are easily exploitable, making encounters feel predictable.
- Unnecessary mechanics: Actions like switching between first- and third-person for minor interactions (e.g., opening doors) feel clunky and unnecessary.
- Cutscene skipping inconsistencies: Some cutscenes can be skipped, while others force you to watch, which can be frustrating during slower story moments.
Should You Play Indiana Jones and the Great Circle?
This is a tough call. On one hand, fans of Indiana Jones will likely appreciate the game’s faithful recreation of the franchise’s charm, atmosphere, and adventure. If you enjoy light puzzle-solving and don’t mind simplistic stealth, The Great Circle could be a fun ride.
However, if you’re looking for deep combat mechanics, engaging stealth gameplay, or a tightly paced adventure, this may not be the game for you. It’s very much a middle-of-the-road experience that will appeal to some but leave others wanting more.
Final Verdict
Score: 7/10
While Indiana Jones and the Great Circle delivers a solid adventure with great presentation, voice acting, and puzzles, its inconsistent pacing, repetitive gameplay, and weak AI hold it back from greatness. Fans of the franchise will likely enjoy it, but others may find it underwhelming.
Developer: MachineGames
Release Date: December 2024
Pros:
✔ Strong presentation (sound, visuals, and voice acting)
✔ Faithful to the Indiana Jones experience
✔ Engaging puzzles
Cons:
✖ Poorly paced narrative
✖ Repetitive gameplay
✖ Weak stealth mechanics and AI
