When Xbox announced that MachineGames was at the helm of an Indiana Jones video game, I was apprehensive and disappointed. After all, this studio gave us some of the best first-person shooter experiences in recent times with its Wolfenstein titles, and not continuing that winning partnership of studio and IP felt like a mistake. I mean, no offence to Indiana Jones, but obliterating copious amounts of Nazis with BJ Blazkowicz just hits differently. However, after just over two hours of hands-on time with Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, I’m happy to admit that I underestimated MachineGames and its ability to bring the legendary archaeologist to interactive platforms as a first-person experience. At least based on what I’ve played so far.
The preview started at Marshall College, Connecticut in 1937, with Dr Jones stirring from a drinking session with his colleague Marcus after hearing a noise nearby. Turns out, an intruder has made their way into the college building and is searching for an artefact. After a quick tussle that offers an introduction to the game’s melee combat ends with Indy on his arse and knocked out, Marcus eventually wakes Dr Jones, the attacker long gone with the artefact.
After completing a quick puzzle to identify what was stolen, Jones heads to the Vatican to investigate, one of the game’s more linear sections that encourages a stealth approach. After all, even though Indy has a pistol and knows how to crack a whip, he’s no mass-murdering Nathan Drake. Speaking of, Indy’s whip is his very own Swiss army knife, which can be used to attack and disarm enemies, scare away dogs, and traverse buildings. Points in the world that Indy can whip onto can be done by pushing the prompt button when in range, although I did find this aspect a bit finicky to use when trying to climb up buildings.
Sneaking around the Vatican is easier said than done given the enemies that patrol the grounds, but luckily the world is full of makeshift weapons for Jones to use, such as guitars, rakes and shovels to quietly take out guards. Once an enemy has been knocked out, you’re able to carry their body to hide them so your presence isn’t discovered.
However, while silence is golden, Jones will need to bring out the dukes from time to time for some melee combat, which I found a bit clunky to pull off. Jones has the ability to deliver a decent haymaker, but so can his opponents, and to come out on top, Jones will need to block attacks to open them up to the killer blow. Of course, the whip comes in handy when you really need to show them who’s boss.
In combat, Indy will need to manage his stamina carefully, as every action uses one bar of stamina– I had six bars during the preview. Stamina needs to be managed outside of combat too, with Indy’s running and climbing in traversal tied to his fitness, meaning you’ll need to pick your battles wisely, otherwise you can be overwhelmed without the gas to fight back or run away. Skills like this and others, such as melee attacks, can be upgraded by finding adventure books throughout the world.
The second section of the preview saw Indy head to Gizeh with Gina, his main companion in the game. This area was a lot more open than the Vatican with opportunities for exploration and a slightly different playstyle. In order to keep a low profile, Indy can put on disguises that will fool the average enemy but not captains. Here, I was able to disguise myself as a dig site worker, which allowed me to walk around relatively hidden and to investigate without much interference. There are restricted areas where workers are forbidden to enter, so Indy will have to play it smart when skulking around these areas. Another tool at my disposal was Indy’s camera, which offers tips and clues for his investigations as well as historical info, which will no doubt please history buffs.
Gizeh’s expansive area meant that there were multiple leads and objectives that we could follow, and it was interesting talking to the other journalists who attended to see who did what. For me, the bulk of my time was spent investigating a golden mask, a search that took me underneath the Great Sphinx. Even though I enjoyed my time at the Vatican, it was beneath the sands of Gizeh were I really felt like I was playing an Indiana Jones adventure.
As I ventured further underground, bouncing light off objects to unlocks doors to areas that have been untouched for centuries and fighting my way through a swarm of scorpions, I became excited at the prospect of the scale of adventure that MachineGames could be taking players on in December. Part of the appeal of a classic Indy adventure is the sense of wonder around any given corner and The Great Circle started to invoke that feeling in this section. But before I could explore more of Gizeh or investigate one of the Fieldwork missions (side missions), my preview had come to an end.
What is evident from my hands-on is how well MachineGames has nailed the Indiana Jones brief. Troy Baker gets a raised glass for his Harrison Ford impersonation, which is flawless most of the time. But the general vibe and writing felt like I was playing something conceived by Steven Spielberg, George Lucas and Phillip Kaufman.
Without a doubt, fans of Indiana Jones, and adventure games in general, are likely to find a lot to like in The Great Circle. I don’t want to go the early crow and say that this is single-player game Xbox players have been waiting years for, but it’s certainly having a crack at it.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle will launch on Xbox Series X|S, PC and Game Pass on December 9, and PS5 in 2025.
Previewed on PC at a preview event
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