Indiana Jones & The Great Circle (PC) impressions: Finally, a movie adaptation done right?

Note: This article was first published on 29th October 2024 and the game is now available to play.

When you think of treasure hunts and ancient artifacts, it’s almost impossible not to picture Harrison Ford in his iconic fedora, armed with a whip and a determined squint. And while the movies themselves have had their ups and downs, there hasn’t been a worthy video game adaptation apart from the LEGO games and Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis – which is mind-boggling when you consider that game is more than 30 years old. But with Indiana Jones & The Great Circle, it feels like MachineGames may have finally cracked the code, delivering an experience that manages to pay homage to the cinematic adventures of Dr Henry Jones Jr., while standing tall as an enjoyable game in its own right.

The three hours I spent with The Great Circle at publisher Bethesda’s idyllic office in Sydney, Australia, were a welcome surprise. It’s not often that a game adaptation feels like a genuine continuation of the film franchise, but MachineGames has gone to great lengths to bring the Indiana Jones universe to life. From the moment I step foot into Marshall College, it’s hard not to feel the weight of nostalgia. The setting is exactly as I remember it – every hallway and office brimming with nods to the films. Though Troy Baker’s voicework as Indy isn’t a spot-on impression of Harrison Ford, it’s incredibly convincing, and by the time you’re a few lines in, it’s easy to lose yourself in the illusion.

MachineGames' trademark is evident throughout, with The Great Circle adhering closely to the style we’ve seen in their previous works, including Wolfenstein. The narrative focus, the emphasis on rich environments to explore, and a mix of action and storytelling – it’s all here. The game is predominantly played in first-person, though there are moments when it switches to third-person, particularly during climbing sequences and cutscenes. I thought that this dynamic perspective shift helps to keep things feeling cinematic without detracting from the sense of immersion.

The combat is what you’d expect from an Indiana Jones game. It’s chaotic, rough around the edges, and most importantly, fun. Sure, the whip acts like a grappling hook – very handy for traversing obstacles – but it’s the ability to use whatever you can grab that makes it entertaining. Bottles, frying pans, or even random artifacts lying about become weapons, making every encounter feel resourceful and scrappy in a way that suits Indy perfectly. And yes, the classic Lucasfilm punching sound effect makes its triumphant return, amplifying each fistfight with a delightful, exaggerated thud.

One of the sections I played took me to Vatican City, sneaking through the corridors of the Vatican to meet a friendly priest while evading fascist guards. Stealth is a significant part of The Great Circle, and it works surprisingly well here. The stealth mechanics aren’t overly complicated, but they’re just deep enough to encourage a tactical approach. Moving bodies, choosing the right order to take out guards, and utilising the environment effectively kept things engaging. And while it’s not a hardcore stealth game by any means, the balance feels right for an Indiana Jones story – giving players options without losing the adventurous spirit. More importantly, it doesn’t take itself too seriously.

There’s also a neat little mechanic involving books you find during your exploration. These tomes grant you skill upgrades, allowing you to improve aspects of your abilities. It’s a clever nod to Indy’s academic background and as a university professor, tying in his love for knowledge with practical gameplay benefits. One particular upgrade stood out: the ability to recover from being knocked out by quickly finding and placing your hat back on your head. It’s playful and fits the tone perfectly – a reminder that this is as much about character as it is about gameplay depth. I’m saying it again: this game isn’t taking itself too seriously.

The final part of my demo took me to Egypt, where Indy finds himself sneaking around a Nazi dig near the Sphinx. This area was much more open, like a small sandbox, allowing for a mixture of disguise, conversation, and combat. It’s clear that MachineGames is drawing on elements from Raiders of the Lost Ark, with the dig site evoking that classic mix of danger and exploration. I was able to tackle objectives in different ways, picking up side quests and interacting with characters who might prove helpful later. Despite the iconic setting, it never felt like the game was overly reliant on nostalgia. Instead, it builds its own narrative, giving you the freedom to decide how you want to engage with its world.

Visually, The Great Circle is impressive. From the intricate details in Marshall College to the vast, sand-swept dig sites in Egypt, the environments are beautifully rendered, with enough love and attention to please even the most die-hard Indiana Jones fan like me. Little touches, like the shadows cast by Indy’s silhouette or the infestation of creepy crawlies, help bring the world to life. The Great Circle is less about spectacle and more about capturing the feel of an Indiana Jones adventure, and that’s where it truly excels.

Of course, no Indiana Jones story would be complete without puzzles. While I didn’t see anything quite on the level of the old LucasArts point-and-click games, the puzzles I encountered required a bit of thought – more than you’d usually expect from a blockbuster action game. There’s a surprising lack of handholding, which is refreshing. You’ll need to pay attention to your surroundings, use Indy’s camera to document clues, and dig into your notebook to make progress. The game rewards curiosity, and I found myself genuinely delighted when I solved a problem without the game explicitly nudging me in the right direction.

Ultimately, Indiana Jones & The Great Circle feels like a culmination of everything MachineGames has been building towards with its previous titles. It’s got the heart of an Indiana Jones film, paired with the depth of an immersive first-person adventure. Whether you’re swinging across chasms, punching Nazis, or unravelling ancient mysteries, it’s shaping up to be the kind of adventure we’ve been waiting for – one that finally does justice to the character and his world.

There’s still a question of whether the game can truly live up to the lofty expectations of fans, particularly given the poor receptions of the last two films. But from what I’ve played, The Great Circle has the potential to be something special – a video game that not only honours Indiana Jones’ legacy but also carves out its own place in the franchise. I can’t wait to see what other surprises MachineGames has in store when the full adventure finally releases on 9 December.

Meanwhile, you can read my interview with MachineGames' lead game designer, Ezekiel Virant, here for a behind-the-scenes perspective on the game's development.

Indiana Jones & The Great Circle will be available on 9 December 2024 on PC and Xbox Series X|S. It will be available on PlayStation in early 2025.

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