Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: A Clear Ode to Its Thief Inspirations

Over the years, the Indiana Jones franchise has ventured into the gaming world numerous times. These games are typically categorized on a scale from puzzle-heavy to action-packed experiences. For example, the classic LucasArts’ point-and-click games such as Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis are puzzle-centric, whereas Indiana Jones and the Emperor’s Tomb leans more towards action, and the LEGO Indiana Jones series strikes a balance between the two. But enter Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, which brings a fresh twist to the Indy saga.

This new title introduces a slew of puzzles and adrenaline-pumping action sequences, yet much of the game is dedicated to a slower-paced experience. Players get to delve into expansive open environments, stealthily evading enemy patrols. In this aspect, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle has drawn more from the stealth mechanics of Thief and Dishonored rather than the adventurous paths of Uncharted and Tomb Raider.

Exploration within Indiana Jones and the Great Circle takes a leaf out of Thief and Dishonored’s playbook, embracing immersive simulation traits. Both these games are celebrated for their finely-crafted, atmospheric settings. Thief transports players to medieval towns filled with realistic lighting and shadows, historical streetlamps, cobbled paths, and majestic stained-glass windows, while Dishonored presents the steampunk vibes of Dunwall—a city grounded in logic and superb art direction. Similarly, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle provides meticulously-designed real-world locations, effectively immersing players with stunning visuals and atmospheric soundscapes.

The game also ingeniously integrates Thief and Dishonored’s dynamic AI and physics systems. Realism shines through as guard patrols react to unexpected events, and characters behave authentically due to robust physics. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle capitalizes on this, allowing players to wield Indy’s iconic whip to forcefully interact with guards and environments, making enemy encounters feel tangibly impactful.

In embracing stealth, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle mirrors the layered gameplay seen in Thief and Dishonored. These classics empower players with choice, offering multiple pathways to tackle objectives. Similarly, in this latest adventure, players navigate sprawling landscapes, using ingenuity to bypass obstacles—be it through air vents, scaling ledges, squeezing through windows, or swinging over foes with ease.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle immerses players in a thrilling quest set between Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Last Crusade. The year is 1937, and sinister forces seek the ancient power of the Great Circle, but Indiana Jones stands as the world’s only hope. Brought to life by MachineGames—the studio behind recent Wolfenstein titles—and executive-produced by gaming legend Todd Howard, this first-person action-adventure promises a cinematic experience. Launching December 9, 2024, for PC and Xbox Series X|S, and hitting the PS5 come spring 2025, it proves to be a mighty addition to Indy’s storied gaming legacy.