Put on your fedora, grab your whip and sidearm, because Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is making its way to consoles soon. After a teaser surfaced in 2021, we’re finally beginning to uncover details about this latest adventure from MachineGames.
While many successful titles like Uncharted and Tomb Raider have drawn inspiration from the Indiana Jones film series, the famed archaeologist has yet to headline an action-adventure game that truly honors his legacy. Could this be the game that reminds everyone who the original master of thrilling escapades and intricate puzzles is? Only time will reveal the answer, but there are enough hints to formulate some educated guesses.
Release Date
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is set to launch on Xbox and PC on December 9, with the PlayStation 5 version slated for a spring 2025 release.
Platforms
As hinted by the release date, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle will not be an Xbox exclusive, contrary to previous assumptions. This game will join several other Xbox titles that are poised to appear on PlayStation 5 later on.
Trailers
The first trailer for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle reintroduces fans to Indy, who finds himself in a tight spot, as expected. While the trailer is somewhat vague on particulars, developer commentary provided during the Developer Direct event gave insight into the storyline.
This game will unfold between the events of Raiders of the Lost Ark and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. The story kicks off when Indy realizes a seemingly insignificant artifact has been stolen, prompting him to seek out answers, leading him into a larger mystery involving conspiracies that unfold over the course of his adventure. As a classic nod to the franchise, Nazis will be a central adversary, and it’s up to players to thwart their sinister plans.
The next look at Indiana Jones and the Great Circle occurred during the 2024 Xbox Games Showcase. This trailer primarily consisted of cinematic sequences, introducing several plot elements. We learned that Indy is in the pursuit of a stolen artifact that is merely one of many he needs to recover, with the diverse locations forming a globe-spanning circle, aligning with the game’s title. The scene in question takes place in the Himalayas.
As Indy and investigative journalist Gina Lombardi navigate a frozen battleship, they find what they need only to be ambushed by Nazis. True to form, Indy has a witty exchange with the antagonist while Gina prepares to create a diversion, allowing her partner to swing into action.
The Date Reveal Trailer showcased more behind-the-scenes footage than gameplay, featuring Troy Baker, who portrays Indy, discussing how he stepped into the beloved character’s shoes and aims to do him justice. Although we caught glimpses of the game, no new story details were unveiled.
Gameplay
There has been much speculation about whether Indiana Jones and the Great Circle would feature a third-person viewpoint. Thankfully, the initial footage confirmed that the game will primarily be experienced in first-person, with exceptions made only for cutscenes and specific traversal actions such as climbing. This choice aligns with the developers’ expertise in creating first-person experiences and aims to immerse players in Indy’s world.
Combat appears to include hand-to-hand fighting, using utensils like a frying pan, wielding a whip, and relying on a trusty pistol to dispatch foes. While no other firearms were showcased, aside from a mounted machine gun during an action sequence, it’s uncertain if players will switch out weapons throughout gameplay. The game also features moments of platforming and exploration to break up the action sequences.
Puzzles are another essential element, with scenes showing Indy exploring ancient relics and manipulating various mechanisms to progress.
Multiple hands-on impressions have surfaced, detailing what players can expect in the initial stages of the game. The tutorial begins at Marshall College, where you must thwart intruders, followed by detective work and puzzle-solving to uncover the theft.
Stealth is integrated into the gameplay, although it doesn’t seem mandatory. Players can grab and throw items for distraction or execute stealth takedowns. Being detected won’t necessarily end the mission, and the game seems forgiving, allowing players to return to stealth mode instead of remaining in a state of alert. Various routes are available, even in more linear missions, offering players more flexibility.
One of the more expansive sections of the game is set in Giza, providing players with the freedom to explore and take on various tasks. While enemy patrols and camps exist, players have increased autonomy in approaching situations, though they must physically collect maps in the environment rather than relying on a user interface. This area also permits disguise mechanics, allowing players to infiltrate Nazi camps without raising suspicion.
In both open-world and linear scenarios, gunplay is expected to be infrequent. Instead, stealth, melee combat, and utilizing the environment to defeat adversaries will take center stage over traditional shooting mechanics.
Preorder
You can preorder Indiana Jones and the Great Circle on Xbox or PC currently, while a PlayStation 5 version will be available for preorder once its release date is established. For now, there are two editions to choose from: Standard and Premium.
Standard Edition: $70
- Indiana Jones and the Great Circle game
- Preorder bonus: The Last Crusade pack (cosmetic suit and whip)
Premium Edition: $100
- Everything included in the Standard Edition
- Early access (3 days)
- Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: The Order of Giants DLC
- Digital Artbook
- Temple of Doom outfit