Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Review: A Cult Favorite and a Thrilling Classic

When you hear “Indiana Jones,” you might picture a professor who can unravel the mysteries of ancient civilizations. Or perhaps your mind jumps to whip-cracking, quick-drawing action scenes that often involve outsmarting enemies or delivering a knockout punch to a Nazi on a tank. Both impressions are spot-on, and therein lies the challenge with translating Indy into a video game format.

Consider James Bond for a moment—a character that partially inspired Indiana’s cinematic exploits. Fans adore GoldenEye 64, yet it’s essentially a 90s take on DOOM, stitched together with elements of spycraft. Bond’s gaming universe often leans heavily on the action side of his persona, much like Indy, whose adventures have traditionally navigated either action or adventure paths, never fully integrating both… until now.

The genius of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle isn’t just that it’s an exceptional licensed game; it authentically captures every facet of Indiana’s character—the explorer, the intellectual, the flirt, the swashbuckler—and more. To me, this game is a resounding triumph.

But let’s be honest, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle might not be for everyone. I don’t usually dwell on what other reviewers might think, but I suspect opinions will be divided. Some will love it, others might find it just okay. If you’re a gamer who enjoys pausing to relish the details and appreciates what MachineGames offers, you’re in for an exhilarating experience.

The game takes a bold approach, resisting easy classification. There’s a hint of immersive sim exploration, the thrilling unpredictability of Hitman, echoes of Riddick, and even some elements reminiscent of MachineGames’ earlier work on Wolfenstein. It’s a unique blend that feels comfortingly familiar while remaining refreshingly new, grounded in the loved conventions of Indiana Jones.

In The Great Circle, you’ll traverse various expansive areas like the Vatican City or the regions around the Pyramids of Giza. Once there, you’re free to explore. Story missions guide the adventure, but the real magic unfolds as you wander, diving deep into each setting’s secrets. Whether it’s hunting for artifacts, solving intricate puzzles, or aiding a stranger, the game offers a rich tapestry of activities. You can infiltrate fascist bases to grab upgrade books and loot or shop with vendors for maps and collectibles. You might also choose to wander, letting your discoveries be guided by curiosity and instinct.

More than once, my explorations led me to uncover parts of the story before I was technically supposed to. Puzzles that seemed like side objectives became key to the plot. Any game that lets you stumble upon story events through determination and puzzle-solving earns high marks in my book.

The game’s rhythm became apparent shortly after I began my journey. I’d weave through the Vatican, adopting a priest’s disguise to slip by unnoticed, stealthily knocking out adversaries, or dashing away when an altercation wasn’t worth it. Despite having the option for gunplay, I managed six or seven hours before even pulling the trigger. This felt genuine, aligning perfectly with what fans love about Indiana Jones.

That authenticity is this game’s crowning achievement. Many licensed titles promise experiences like “be James Bond” or “feel like a Jedi,” but few truly deliver on capturing the essence of iconic characters. Only the Arkham series has authentically brought Batman to life. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle matches this level of dedication, blending game mechanics with Indiana’s multifaceted persona.

Just as the Arkham games respected Batman’s dual nature—a detective and a fighter—The Great Circle honors Indiana Jones as primarily an adventurer and secondarily a brawler. The experience mirrors a grand adventure puzzler rather than a brawler, where your journey may span hours without major combat. Instead, you delve into the open zones, uncover secrets, snap photos, and enjoy the thrill of cleverly designed puzzles.

The game thoughtfully pairs its puzzle mechanics with adjustable difficulty settings, allowing you to tailor your experience. Whether you’d prefer a more puzzle-centric adventure or intense combat, the choice is yours. This approach honors the spirit of Indiana Jones, where different aspects of his personality can shine, depending on how you want to engage with the game.

Even with puzzle variations, the solutions remain consistent, adjusting primarily the guidance the game offers. If you’re easily frustrated by hints dropping prematurely, you’ll appreciate the option to disable those nudges. Early in the game, Indy gets a camera offering another layer of help—snap relevant photos for clues from Indy or his companions. This mechanism gradually guides you if needed but allows you to remain stuck should you wish, serving various playstyles.

While the game excels in exploration and puzzle-solving, the combat falls a bit short. Few games master first-person melee, and while enjoyable here, it often pushes for stealth over confrontation. Improvised weaponry is fun—think candlesticks or shovels for dispatching foes—but maintaining a low profile is ultimately more rewarding.

Stealth requires strategic exploration to find disguises, not merely following waypoints. There’s trust in players to explore and risk being uncovered as Indy. The enemies strike a balance of intelligence that supports this adventurous exploration, although discerning foes sometimes stretch believability. Yet, this reflects Indy’s scrappy spirit—defeating odds with charisma and quick wit—a fitting extension of the film’s themes.

Once you’re engrossed, the game’s pace takes over. It’s the kind of game you can get lost in, staying up late without realizing. You traverse international locales (undisclosed, but plentiful) seeking secrets, nudging the storyline forward, and experiencing globetrotting adventures unique to Indy.

Describing how ‘magical’ this experience is might seem cliché, but the word fits. Indiana Jones movies evoke a sense of magic, not only with supernatural elements but in their nostalgic homage to serials that felt akin to sorcery when cinema was young. This game encapsulates that whimsical allure in its gaming form.

Another charming aspect is how unapologetically game-like it is. The film’s pulpiness transfers well into gameplay. Indy’s iconic look appears for crucial scenes, whimsical puzzle-solving makes sense, and forgetful enemy guards feel right, contributing to the game’s internal logic.

This approach demonstrates how well Indiana Jones translates into gaming, preserving the franchise’s spirit. Authenticity to the cinematic source material takes center stage, ensuring that every detail feels painstakingly accurate—a dedication evident from the use of movie-era techniques and aesthetic fidelity, down to depicting a youthful Harrison Ford.

Troy Baker, stepping into Indy’s shoes, delivers more than just an impersonation; he provides a thoughtful interpretation of the character, crafting a narrative arc true to Indiana’s established persona. Supported by top-notch visuals and well-directed scenes, the game delivers a continuation of the films we love.

Despite my praise, I acknowledge the game might not resonate with everyone. It blends complex elements that might appeal to specific tastes. Yet, if you find yourself among its admirers, you’ll discover one of the year’s finest games, one worthy of repeated playthroughs.

Sometimes, a game takes you by surprise. As a fan of the first three Indiana Jones movies, I was curious but expected a straightforward blockbuster. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle defied those expectations, leaving a lasting impression I’ll remember for a long time.

Mark your calendars for December 9, when Indiana Jones and the Great Circle releases on PC, Xbox, and Game Pass, with a PlayStation 5 launch in Spring 2025. This review is based on a PC version courtesy of the publisher.