A Thrilling Global Treasure Hunt and the Best Indy Story in Decades
It’s been over 30 years since I wore out my VHS copy of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Since then, the film franchise has been on a constant trajectory of escalation—first uncovering the literal Holy Grail, then veering into aliens, and finally, time travel. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is the perfect antidote to that excess, rewinding time to place Indy firmly back in his prime. The result? One of the best Indiana Jones stories ever told—across both film and gaming. With meticulously crafted environments, atmospheric tomb-raiding, satisfying puzzle-solving, a pitch-perfect musical score, and quite possibly the best punch sound effects in gaming, The Great Circle delivers a thrilling, globe-trotting adventure that left me feeling like a giddy schoolboy.
Bringing Indiana Jones back to the big screen twice after he literally rode off into the sunset may not have been the best idea, but entrusting MachineGames—a studio with a track record for cinematic storytelling and intense action—with crafting a brand-new Indy adventure? That was a masterstroke.
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A Developer That Knows Its Nazis
MachineGames is best known for reviving Wolfenstein, and The Great Circle certainly carries some of that DNA. Like The New Order and its sequels, this is a first-person, story-driven experience, and let’s be honest—if there’s anyone who despises Nazis as much as Indiana Jones, it’s BJ Blazkowicz. That said, The Great Circle isn’t a guns-blazing power fantasy. Unlike Wolfenstein, this is a slower, more methodical adventure where exploration, platforming, and stealth take center stage.
The studio’s influences run even deeper, though. MachineGames’ founding members came from Starbreeze, the Swedish studio behind The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay. That game’s first-person melee combat, immersive environmental storytelling, and adventure elements seem to have been a major inspiration here. It’s a pleasant surprise to see a game carrying the Butcher Bay legacy forward, especially when it’s done with this much respect for the Indiana Jones franchise.
For clarity, an Indiana Jones game in 2024 could have easily been an Uncharted clone, and nobody would’ve batted an eye. That wouldn’t have been unprecedented—1999’s Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine and 2003’s Indiana Jones and the Emperor’s Tomb both followed the Tomb Raider template pretty closely. So, making The Great Circle a direct homage to Uncharted wouldn’t have been shocking, especially considering how action-adventure games have largely homogenized in recent years.
Not an Uncharted Clone—And That’s a Good Thing
But that’s not what The Great Circle is—and it’s all the better for it. It delivers an Indiana Jones experience I didn’t even know I wanted, blending classic adventure mechanics with first-person immersion. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy cinematic third-person action games as much as the next person, but not everything needs to follow that formula. MachineGames took a different path, and the result is something truly special.
Genius of the Restoration
The first-person perspective brings an incredible sense of scale. Staring up at the Great Pyramid or gazing at a massive Nazi battleship precariously perched atop a mountain in the Himalayas feels more immersive at eye level. The perspective also enhances puzzle-solving—examining ancient texts, manipulating objects, and watching the results unfold right in front of your eyes makes it feel like you’re inside the world’s most expensive escape rooms.
Puzzles are frequent but generally intuitive. Most are light mental exercises, though a few genuinely stumped me for a bit, which made solving them all the more satisfying. If you do find yourself stuck, there’s a built-in hint system that only activates if you take an extra photo of the puzzle with your in-game camera—a smart and unobtrusive way to offer help without pulling you out of the experience.
Beyond gameplay, the first-person view highlights the sheer detail MachineGames has poured into the world. From streaks on freshly wiped glass to the slow trickle of wax from a candle lighting an ancient stairwell, these small touches add a level of authenticity that might go unnoticed in third-person. Are they essential? Maybe not. But they show a level of care that makes the world feel lived-in and real.
An Adventure Worthy of a Legend
The game kicks off with a nostalgic flashback to Raiders of the Lost Ark, serving as a tutorial. It might have felt indulgent—if it weren’t so incredibly well-executed. Then, we’re transported to Marshall College in Connecticut, a richly detailed and incredibly immersive rendition of Indy’s iconic workplace. From cabinets brimming with exotic artifacts to notice boards filled with handmade signs, every inch of the environment is packed with storytelling details.
From there, the adventure takes Indy across the globe—through the historic architecture and hidden catacombs of Vatican City, sprawling Nazi dig sites near the Egyptian pyramids, and the flooded temples of Sukhothai being reclaimed by the jungle. Each location is stunning, and the ray-traced lighting adds an extra layer of beauty. The “Great Circle” concept serves as a clever narrative device, seamlessly tying together these varied locations into one overarching mystery.
The voice cast also deserves praise. Troy Baker’s take on Indiana Jones is remarkably close to Harrison Ford, and his performance is so natural that it never feels like an impression. David Shaughnessy’s portrayal of Marcus Brody is also a highlight, capturing the essence of Denholm Elliott’s character with remarkable accuracy. Meanwhile, Marios Gavrilis’ villainous Nazi archaeologist Emmerich Voss oozes menace, delivering lines with such venom that you can almost hear the spit hitting the microphone.
With a story set in 1937—between Raiders and Last Crusade—The Great Circle seamlessly fits into the classic trilogy’s timeline. It’s structured like the best Indy films, with a desperate race to uncover a powerful artifact before the Nazis get their hands on it. In fact, one of the highest compliments I can give The Great Circle is that it feels like the best Indiana Jones movie we never got.
Fists Over Firearms
Combat is punchy, satisfying, and true to the swashbuckling spirit of the series. Fights are weighty and visceral, with every punch sounding like a golf club smashing into a sack of potatoes. You can block, parry, and unleash haymakers, while Indy’s bullwhip lets him disarm foes or stun them long enough to deliver a knockout blow.
Gunplay, however, is de-emphasized. Enemies will respond with overwhelming firepower if you start shooting, making stealth and hand-to-hand combat the preferred approach. Unfortunately, Indy’s iconic revolver is a bit underwhelming—failing to match the one-shot stopping power seen in Raiders when he effortlessly drops the swordsman.
The stealth mechanics are serviceable but occasionally inconsistent, particularly when disguised enemies instantly see through Indy’s cover for no logical reason. That said, The Great Circle offers a flexible difficulty system, allowing players to tweak enemy behavior and response times to better suit their playstyle.
Verdict
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle captures the essence of the franchise in a way few have before. From its lavishly detailed environments to its satisfyingly brutal combat and clever puzzle-solving, it delivers a thrilling treasure hunt that outshines many of Indy’s recent cinematic outings. Rather than mimic Uncharted or Tomb Raider, it carves its own path, embracing a first-person perspective that enhances both exploration and immersion. While its stealth mechanics and firearms leave some room for improvement, The Great Circle stands as one of the best Indiana Jones games ever made—telling a story that feels like a worthy successor to Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Last Crusade.
Some might say it belongs in a museum, but museums are for relics that can’t be touched. The Great Circle belongs on your hard drive—ready to be played, explored, and enjoyed.
