"‘The Great Circle’: An Indiana Jones Game - Pros and Cons"

At the heart of "Indiana Jones and the Great Circle" lies a character with conflicting traits. Our hero, Indiana Jones, spends his days teaching archaeology at a fictional Connecticut university. His students are a diverse bunch, some bored and others enraptured, perhaps by a certain professor's charm. But when the call to action comes, he transforms into a respected adventurer, investigating missing persons and MacGuffins. This leads him on a globe-spanning journey filled with scraps against the Axis Powers and other adversaries.

Experience the Tightrope Walk of Indiana Jones in Video Game Form

What is Indiana Jones and the Great Circle?

Developed by MachineGames and published by Bethesda Softworks, "The Great Circle" is the last big Xbox title of 2024. It's the first legitimate Indy game since 2009's "The Staff of Kings" and holds the expectations of both diehard fans and those new to the character. As the fourth major title published by Bethesda for Xbox after their 2021 acquisition, it's a game with a lot to live up to.

On a macro level, the game's success is crucial. Hi-Fi Rush was critically acclaimed but missed sales goals, while Starfield was a financial hit but didn't capture the zeitgeist. Redfall, on the other hand, didn't perform well. So, for Xbox fans and Microsoft shareholders, this game is a make-or-break moment.

Donning the Fedora and Whip

Similar to their previous games, "Indiana Jones and the Great Circle" is a first-person action-adventure with occasional third-person sequences for climbing and swinging. Unlike Wolfenstein, it leans more towards exploration, allowing players to take on Indy's role as he investigates a mystery.

The game revolves around exploring historically rich areas like Vatican City and Egypt. Some chapters are linear like movies, while others offer more free play. Indy can use various tools like a bullwhip to stun enemies and protect himself. He engages in melee combat and can pick up objects for self-defense. But situations can quickly turn chaotic, leaving players to improvise.

A Tale of Two Indys

The game's biggest misstep is at the beginning with a prologue that retells the boulder chase from "Raiders of the Lost Ark." Voice actor Troy Baker does a great job of imitating Harrison Ford, but the virtual roto-scoping during the cut scene shows the lack of parity between game cinematics and movies.

After the cut scene, the game tells its own story. Its strengths shine when it's doing its own thing, whether as an old school FPS adventure or a long-awaited sequel. But it rarely achieves both at once. Each area is highly detailed with side quests and collectibles, but there's often too much to do, dragging down the momentum.

The Emphasis on Puzzles

Like modern peers, the game is puzzle-heavy. Players need to match levers and cogs to open doors and boxes. There are climbing, swinging, and jumping sections, but it falters here compared to its competitors. Vertical traversal is awkward with stiff animations.

While the game's mechanics work well in scripted sequences, it can feel like a waste of time during open-area exploration. These sections are fun for checklist completionists but feel like relics of an earlier design era. In the end, "Indiana Jones and the Great Circle" lets players be Indiana Jones, even in the boring parts.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is now available for Xbox Series X|S and PC. It will be released for PlayStation 5 in spring of 2025.