Becoming one of cinema’s most iconic characters is no easy feat. But keeping that status for more than three decades? That’s even harder.
Despite the mixed reception of Indiana Jones’ latest films, this beloved hero still stands proudly alongside giants like Star Wars, Batman, and The Godfather. Indiana Jones isn’t just a fictional character; he’s a living piece of history that generations automatically respect, even if they didn’t live through his golden age.
Now imagine the challenge facing a game studio tasked with paying tribute to Indiana’s legendary status through a brand-new game. That’s the story of Xbox, MachineGames, and more importantly, Indiana Jones himself.
A Heartfelt Tribute to Indiana’s Best Days
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is a full-fledged love letter to the franchise’s golden years.
At the start, Indy—Henry, as his close friends call him—isn’t in the best shape. Having recently broken off his engagement with Marion, he soon finds himself caught up in a fight at a museum after hearing strange noises late at night.
After being knocked unconscious, he wakes to find the museum robbed, with a priceless artifact—the Cat Mummy—stolen. Grabbing his suitcase, a medallion left behind by the thief, and of course his whip, Indy sets off on a new adventure that leads him to the Vatican.
Friends, Not Just Side Characters
Throughout his journey, Indiana is supported by genuinely likeable allies who never feel like filler characters.
Each companion genuinely cares about Indy’s success and survival. Unlike the complex and dark storylines MachineGames explored in games like Wolfenstein, the narrative of The Great Circle keeps a more classic, straightforward adventure movie tone—fittingly cinematic and proud of it.
There’s even an opening sequence paying direct homage to Raiders of the Lost Ark, which is nothing short of brilliant. It’s clear that the collaboration between MachineGames and Lucasfilm Games was built on respect and passion for the source material.
Troy Baker as Indiana Jones: A Familiar Voice in a New Role
When news broke that Troy Baker—known for iconic roles like Joel (The Last of Us) and Booker (BioShock Infinite)—would voice Indiana Jones, some fans were skeptical.
Although Baker’s voice is now deeply familiar to many players, he manages to adapt to Indy’s colder, rough-around-the-edges personality quite well. While it may not be the best performance of Baker’s career, it’s clear that a lot of thought went into the voice work, helping to bring this version of Indiana to life.
A True Adventure Game First, Action Game Second
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is not your typical fast-paced shooter or traditional action-adventure.
Instead, it leans heavily into exploration and adventure. Players are encouraged to interact with their environment, solve puzzles, and pay close attention to their surroundings. Guards whisper secrets, priests chat as they walk through cathedrals—every detail paints a piece of the larger story.
The world feels alive, immersive, and meticulously crafted—a signature strength from the makers of Wolfenstein.
Side Quests and Environmental Storytelling
Even from the early stages, optional side quests open up.
Players can solve additional puzzles, help side characters, photograph unique objects, and uncover hidden secrets. Every side activity rewards you with either currency, new skills, or rare items, making them feel genuinely worthwhile.
Though the game is relatively short as a single-player experience, it’s packed with enough meaningful content to make every minute valuable.
A Light RPG System: Skills, Upgrades, and Choices
The Great Circle features a simple but effective skill tree system.
By finding scattered books throughout the game world, players can spend in-game currency to unlock upgrades. Skill balance, the rate of money acquisition, and item drop distribution are well-tuned, making character progression smooth and satisfying.
Importantly, Indy isn’t portrayed as an unstoppable action hero. Stealth options are often available, giving players freedom in how they tackle challenges. However, fans of Wolfenstein-style combat might find the enemy AI and combat difficulty here a bit underwhelming.
Weapons, Tools, and the Power of the Whip
Indiana’s whip is his signature weapon—and it’s wonderfully versatile.
You’ll use it to disarm enemies, stun opponents, solve environmental puzzles, and swing across gaps. Other weapons—like guns, torches, and even guitars—can be picked up during missions, though they often break after a few uses.
This design encourages smart, improvised combat rather than brute force. And when weapons run out, Indy’s trusty whip and fists are always there to back him up.
However, stamina management also comes into play, adding a layer of strategy to every encounter.
First-Person View: A Controversial Choice That Works
Before the game’s launch, the decision to go with a first-person perspective sparked a lot of debate.
Now that the game is out, it’s clear that it was the right call. First-person view enhances stealth sections, makes combat more fluid, and deeply increases immersion—making players feel like they are Indiana Jones.
Environmental storytelling, cinematic sequences, and adventure segments all blend seamlessly into this perspective. Crucially, the game switches to third-person for platforming and certain cutscenes, showing off Indy’s detailed, expressive character model.
Beautiful Visuals and Impressive World Design
Graphically, The Great Circle delivers stunning variety.
Powered by id Tech 5—the same engine behind Wolfenstein and Doom—the game may not be the most technically polished launch, but it looks and feels fantastic overall.
Indy travels across diverse regions like Vatican City, Shanghai, Egypt, and Iraq, with each location beautifully capturing different climates, times of day, and cultures. It’s a true globe-trotting adventure.
Despite a few rough edges, the level design and artistic direction elevate the experience immensely.
Final Verdict: A Triumphant Return for Indiana Jones
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle may not be the biggest or most technically advanced game of 2024, but it’s a heartfelt, deeply enjoyable adventure.
Built with passion and love for the source material, it’s a game that understands what made Indiana Jones iconic in the first place: thrilling exploration, smart storytelling, memorable characters, and a sense of wonder.
For MachineGames and Xbox, this project is more than just a game—it’s a statement. And for fans of Indy, it’s a chance to grab the whip, put on the fedora, and step back into a world of mystery, danger, and excitement.
