Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Review

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle immediately piqued my interest when it was announced. Before any gameplay footage was revealed, I assumed it would closely resemble games like Uncharted and Tomb Raider, given their shared focus on treasure hunting and the clear influence of Indiana Jones on those franchises. However, after spending time with the game, I found it to be quite different from what I expected. While I hoped for a more action-oriented experience, the game takes a different approach—and that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

Fans of the Indiana Jones films will be pleased to find that Machine Games has successfully captured the spirit of the beloved franchise. The Great Circle, seamlessly integrated into the series’ canon, takes place after Raiders of the Lost Ark, offering a fresh yet familiar continuation of Indy’s adventures. Players will feel right at home as they see Indiana Jones in his element—excavating ancient caves, solving intricate puzzles, wielding his iconic whip to traverse challenging terrain, and more.

The plot of The Great Circle stays true to the essence of an Indiana Jones story, delivering an unforgettable adventure set in the late 1930s. The story begins with a mysterious artifact stolen from a museum in Marshall College, prompting Indy to investigate its origins and travel to the Vatican to uncover its secrets. As he tracks the thief, Indy uncovers a sinister plot setting the stage for a high-stakes mission that only he can stop. Players will journey through breathtaking locales, solve complex puzzles, and face thrilling dangers. The narrative expertly blends mystery, action, and historical intrigue, staying true to the classic Indiana Jones charm while exploring deeper themes about the consequences of tampering with time.

While many expected The Great Circle to feature gameplay akin to Uncharted or Tomb Raider, with action-packed adventures befitting the iconic archaeologist, that’s not the direction Machine Games chose. Instead, The Great Circle leans more toward a stealth-focused experience, similar to the Wolfenstein series. Unfortunately, the stealth mechanics feel underwhelming and unpolished compared to more refined systems found in other modern stealth games. The AI often lacks sophistication, making it easier for Indy to slip past enemies than it should be. Despite these shortcomings, the game’s exploration elements offer a strong sense of adventure and a nod to the spirit of Indiana Jones.

In combat, Indy relies primarily on melee fighting, engaging in classic fistfights with enemies. When fists aren’t enough, players can improvise by picking up items from the environment—such as bottles, oars, or any glowing objects—to strike down foes. These makeshift weapons are useful for stealthy takedowns or overpowering enemies in direct combat. Fortunately, there’s always something nearby to grab, as these items are conveniently highlighted. However, a downside is that these weapons break after limited use, forcing players to find replacements or fall back on hand-to-hand combat. While this mechanic encourages resourcefulness, it can feel repetitive or restrictive at times.

If stealth or brawling isn’t the preferred playstyle, players can opt for a more chaotic approach with weapons. While there are moments in the game where using guns is necessary, be prepared for heightened alert levels in the vicinity, meaning a large and challenging fight will likely ensue. Ammunition is limited, so players will need to carefully consider their approach and think twice before choosing this route. Additionally, Indy’s iconic whip provides a unique alternative—use it to pull enemies toward you or, if chased by dogs, make them cower in fear with a well-timed crack. This adds an extra layer of versatility to combat, allowing for creative ways to handle threats.

At the start of the game, players may feel that Indy is underpowered or lacks strength. Fortunately, his abilities can be improved over time, including the strength of his punches. Throughout the world, Adventure books are scattered, allowing players to enhance Indy’s core skills across five categories: survival, fitness, brawling, combat, and packing. To find these books, players will need to explore the environment thoroughly, as they are hidden in various locations. Once collected, these books can be used with adventure points—earned by completing side activities like photographing historical landmarks, collecting notes and items, or progressing through the main questline. Adventure points can then be spent to unlock upgrades tied to the books, allowing players to tailor Indy’s abilities to their preferred playstyle, whether focusing on stealth or brawling.

In Indy’s quest to save the world, players will have plenty of opportunities to stray from the main path. The game’s mission-based structure includes side quests that unlock as you progress, and these are highly recommended as they deepen the game’s lore and provide extra context to the adventure. Beyond the main objectives, there are many activities to engage in, such as collecting notes and items for adventure points or using Indy’s camera to capture stunning landscapes, which also reward players with points to enhance combat abilities. For speedrunners, the game can be completed in around fifteen to twenty hours, but completionists will find themselves spending much more time exploring every corner of the world. One of the standout features of the game is its puzzles, which offer a satisfying challenge and truly make you feel like Indy, adding a significant layer to the adventure in The Great Circle.

The storytelling in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is one of the game’s strongest aspects. The cutscenes and overall production stay true to the classic Indiana Jones formula, capturing the essence of the films. While Indy isn’t voiced by Harrison Ford, the voice actor delivers a performance that feels close enough to make players believe it’s truly him. The characters Indy encounters are memorable, and the action-packed sequences often give the impression that you’re watching an Indiana Jones movie rather than playing a game. Visually, the game looks impressive—while not breathtaking, it’s more than adequate for this generation. The environments and overall design capture the spirit of the Indiana Jones franchise, immersing players in a world that feels true to the iconic adventure series.

PC players hoping to play the game on a handheld PC may be disappointed. Unfortunately, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle currently doesn’t run on the Steam Deck. However, those with the ROG Ally X will find the game playable, though some areas may experience lower frame rates. For PC players on Steam, the game allows Xbox account linking, enabling seamless play across Xbox or PC, including via Game Pass. In terms of performance, the game runs smoothly for those with capable graphics cards, though there are some glitches—none of which are game-breaking, but they are noticeable.