Indiana Jones and the Great Circle feels like stepping into the boots of the iconic adventurer himself, whip in hand and hat firmly in place. MachineGames, celebrated for their narrative-rich Wolfenstein series, has struck a near-perfect balance between cinematic storytelling and engaging gameplay. From its tactile combat to its breathtaking visuals, The Great Circle is a love letter to Indiana Jones (and Uncharted) fans, offering moments of thrilling exploration, nostalgic callbacks, and jaw-dropping spectacle. There are elements in this project that prevents it from reaching the zenith of action-adventure perfection – and even then, it’s not enough to stop this monolithic adventure.
The Relic in Time
Set between The Last Crusade and Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, The Great Circle sees Dr. Henry Jones Jr. embroiled in yet another globe-spanning mystery. This time, Indy’s journey revolves around the titular Great Circle, a mythical artifact said to connect ancient civilizations through time. The plot hits all the right beats: shadowy conspiracies, deadly traps, and the ever-looming threat of Nazis. Indy’s quippy personality shines through thanks to the excellent Troy Baker, and the game’s dynamic narrative truly immerses you. As you collect relics or uncover secrets, Indy delivers contextually relevant commentary, reflecting on the treasures and environments. These monologues feel natural and engaging, pulling you deeper into his world. A standout companion in this tale is Gina, a witty and resourceful archaeologist who complements Indy’s grizzled charm. However, her comedic timing occasionally misses the mark, as evidenced by the infamous “hands” pun during a tense showdown on the Nazi battleship. While Gina’s character is likable, moments like this can feel out of place amidst the game’s pacing.
The story also knows how to leverage visual spectacle, delivering set pieces that are nothing short of stunning. I was pleasantly surprised with the level of work put into the first-person set pieces, I was especially wowed by the segment in the Himalaya’s mountain and what followed; the narrative’s high points are exhilarating and memorable, I was playing this from my PC at 5K60, through a super ultra-wide OLED monitor with RTX 4090-powered Supreme Graphics settings. If there’s one area where The Great Circle dazzles without restraint, it’s the graphical presentation. Built on the ID Tech engine, the game showcases stunning environments, from the sunlit sands of Giza to the shadowy catacombs beneath the Vatican. Path Tracing adds an almost tangible quality to light and shadows, enhancing immersion to extraordinary levels. Playing this on a powerhouse setup is nothing short of transformative. However, not everything is perfect. Some textures, particularly in the Vatican and Giza locations, falter in their attempt to render physical-based features, breaking the otherwise immersive presentation. These inconsistencies are very noticeable, especially in a game where the visual fidelity is otherwise high.
MachineGames’ mastery of gameplay design shines through in The Great Circle. It took a while – and during that time it felt a bit clunky – but once I got the hang of the overall movement and combat, it felt tactile and responsive; whether you’re cracking your whip to disarm enemies, brawling with Nazis in satisfying fistfights, or engaging in gunplay. The animation variety during combat is varied, making every encounter feel dynamic and fluid. Indy’s whip is used for every case you can think of in this setting; traversal, climbing, pulling and lashing – you can further improve your overall skillset by finding unmarked skill books and then using Adventure Points to learn from it – you’ll obtain elements like being able to pull heavier foes, reloading faster or consuming less stamina during combat and platforming. I was genuinely pleased on the layered aspect of this game, which is something I should have expected coming from MachineGames.
Whip it Good
Exploration takes center stage, with semi-open zones that encourage curiosity. These areas are filled with handcrafted environmental puzzles that, while simple, are consistently intriguing and rewarding to solve. From aligning ancient symbols in the Vatican to activating mechanisms in Giza’s tombs, the puzzles blend seamlessly into the narrative, making you feel like a true archaeologist. Indy’s environmental commentary elevates these moments further, offering historical tidbits or personal reflections that enrich the experience – when resuming back to the main path, I did not feel detached at all from its narrative beat which was surprising given the number of things you can do while exploring. While the core gameplay loop is polished, some repetition in combat encounters can creep in over time. The enemy variety is serviceable but doesn’t quite match the ingenuity seen in the puzzles or exploration. Still, the game’s pacing ensures these weaker moments don’t linger for too long.
Character models are another mixed bag. Indy himself looks fantastic, with detailed facial expressions and fluid animations that capture his iconic swagger. Gina’s model is equally well-crafted, but some secondary characters suffer from stilted facial animations that feel out of place in such a visually polished game. Gordy Haab’s masterful score is a highlight of the game, channeling John Williams’ iconic compositions while introducing original themes that stand on their own. From sweeping orchestral moments to quieter, atmospheric melodies, the music elevates every scene and set piece. The sound design is equally impeccable. The whip cracks with satisfying sharpness, punches land with visceral weight, and environmental audio—whether the echo of footsteps in a cavern or the roar of an avalanche—is finely tuned to enhance immersion. MachineGames’ attention to detail is evident in every sound cue, cementing The Great Circle as an auditory treat.
REVIEW SCORE: 9/10
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is a testament to MachineGames’ dedication to honoring a beloved franchise. Its strengths far outweigh its flaws, delivering a game that’s as thrilling to play as it is to look at. While minor issues with texture rendering and combat variety keep it from achieving true greatness, the overall experience is one of cinematic spectacle and immersive gameplay. Fans of Indiana Jones and action-adventure games alike will find much to love here.
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