Indiana Jones and the Great Circle (PC) review: MachineGames brings Indy back in style

My eyebrows were raised when I first heard that MachineGames was making an Indiana Jones game. As much as I love the Indiana Jones movies, I was skeptical about a game adaptation – would it captivate fans like me through nostalgia? Would gamers who have not watched the first three movies be drawn to it? After all, the two most recent Indy movies were forgettable (and that’s saying very politely). But pairing our favourite archeologist with the studio behind the Wolfenstein-reboot series in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle promised potential. After all, those games thrived on pulpy narratives and unapologetic action. What could they bring to the world of Indiana Jones? As it turns out, quite a lot.

Having done a preview of the game earlier and after spending hours on the retail version, I can confidently say that The Great Circle isn’t merely a competent Indiana Jones game; it’s a confident reimagining of what a licensed title can be. MachineGames has delivered something that stands alongside the best games that they have made, embracing the essence of Indiana Jones while weaving in their own strengths. The Great Circle, set between the Raiders of the Lost Ark and the Last Crusade, is not just a nostalgia trip but a great and thoroughly enjoyable action adventure that understands its protagonist and setting with surprising nuance.

At its core, The Great Circle is a game about exploration, intrigue, and punching Nazis – all wrapped in the golden-hued glow of the 1930s. The game’s structure is divided into three acts, each centred on a hub location: the Vatican, the Giza plateau, and an undisclosed South American jungle. These hubs serve as bases for both the main story missions and a plethora of side quests, which range from minor puzzles to optional but narrative-rich adventures. The environments are stunningly crafted, with the Vatican City being a standout as a dense, vertical playground that invites you to explore every hidden nook and cranny.

The open-world design leans heavily into immersive sim principles. There are no sprawling wastelands here; instead, MachineGames has opted for compact and intricately designed levels. The hubs feel alive, brimming with secrets and opportunities for creative problem-solving. Whether it’s using Indy’s whip to traverse a seemingly unreachable ledge or piecing together clues in a puzzle that feels delightfully old-school, exploration is the game’s true strength. The level of detail is remarkable too, and the environments feel historically grounded yet imbued with just enough pulp fiction magic to keep things exhilarating.

Indiana Jones has always been more about brains than brawn, and The Great Circle wisely prioritises puzzle-solving and exploration over combat. The puzzles range from light brain teasers to more layered challenges, often requiring observation, experimentation, and a bit of lateral thinking. They’re never punishingly difficult though and are consistently satisfying. Side quests, in particular, shine here, offering a steady stream of clever puzzles that make full use of the game’s mechanics and usually offer interesting rewards (such as references to the movies).

Combat and stealth, on the other hand, are somewhat a mixed bag in my opinion. The melee brawling system, while simple, captures the scrappy, seat-of-your-pants fighting style synonymous with Indy. Parrying and countering enemies feels intuitive, and the occasional improvised weapon such as a chair, a vase, even a loaf of bread adds a layer of chaotic fun. However, stealth lacks the same finesse and, in some cases, almost comical even. It’s functional but basic, relying on old-fashion line-of-sight mechanics and limited enemy AI. Some sequences manage to make the best of these limitations, but others feel like a chore, especially when larger enemy patrols and linear level design combine to stifle creativity. The disguise system fares better, injecting a bit of Hitman-style intrigue into the proceedings. Each hub offers at least one disguise that allows Indy to move freely in restricted areas, with the occasional risk of being recognised by higher-ranking enemies. It’s a straightforward mechanic but one that fits the tone and pacing of the game.

That said, the folks at MachineGames have to be praised for understanding that Indiana Jones is more than his hat and whip. They get what it meant to be Indy. His in-game persona has all of his movie version’s charm, flaws and his knack for finding trouble in the unlikeliest of places. The story could feel a little campy but never shallow, with an engaging cast of characters (yes, including those from the movies) who bring both humour and gravitas to the narrative. Troy Baker’s performance as Indy also deserves special mention as he channels Harrison Ford without descending into imitation, bringing warmth and wit to the role.

The Great Circle takes Indy across the globe, pursuing an ancient artefact with ties to a shadowy conspiracy. It’s classic Indiana Jones fare, full of twists, betrayals, and larger-than-life villains. The set pieces are nothing short of spectacular, ranging from a high-stakes zeppelin heist to a breathtaking sequence involving a crumbling temple and a very narrowly missed prop plane. MachineGames has a knack for these cinematic moments, and they’ve outdone themselves here, delivering some of the most memorable action sequences of any games in 2024.

Visually, the game is a stunner, though for PC gamers it comes at a cost. Even on high-end hardware, performance can be demanding, especially with ray tracing enabled. You’re going to need at least a GeForce RTX 4070 Super and above to enjoy the game in all its pixel glory. A day-one patch did smooth out some early issues, but occasional graphical hiccups remain, particularly in shadow rendering. Still, these minor flaws are easy to overlook and didn’t break my gameplay experience.

Overall, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is a triumph of adaptation to me. There’s always an added risk of making a game out of a licensed property, especially one that could be considered cinema royalty. But MachineGames has proved that licensed games can be both respectful of their source material and daringly inventive. While not without its flaws, the game’s strengths – its engrossing world design, satisfying puzzles, and pitch-perfect tone – far outweigh its shortcomings. MachineGames has crafted an adventure worthy of the name Indiana Jones, one that captures the spirit of the films while forging its own path. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or just looking for a well-crafted action adventure, The Great Circle is well worth your time.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is available now on PC and Xbox Series X|S, developed by MachineGames and published by Bethesda.

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