TechGaming5 reasons why Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is my favourite Xbox game of 2024Seamlessly combines multiple game types into the one, superbly fun adventureWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
TechGaming5 reasons why Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is my favourite Xbox game of 2024Seamlessly combines multiple game types into the one, superbly fun adventureWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Seamlessly combines multiple game types into the one, superbly fun adventure
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Bethesda)
(Image credit: Bethesda)
I have been fizzing with excitement sinceIndiana Jones and the Great Circlewas first announced – after all, it’s been decades since we last saw a decent Indy game.
The Lego titles were good, but hardly the sort of action-adventure epic Spielberg’s character deserves. Instead, we’ve had to turn to heavily-influenced surrogates in the form of Lara Croft and Nathan Drake, and while they’ve each starred in some of the best releases of their type, neither is quite as iconic outside of gaming.
But, here come Bethesda and MachineGames to save the day. Trusting the well-worn whip to the studio behind the Wolfenstein reboots might seem odd, but it turns out it was a genius mode and my patience has been rewarded. Not only have we got an Indiana Jones game befitting the title, but the best Xbox game of the year.
Here are my five main reasons why.
(Image credit: Bethesda)
(Image credit: Bethesda)
1. First-person
Perhaps the biggest double-take on MachineGames being chosen for development duty is that it is mostly known for first-person shooters. As well asWolfenstein: The New OrderandThe Old Blood(plus offshoots), it gave us the remastered versions ofQuake,Quake IIandDoom II. You don’t get more first-person shooter-y than that.
However, it turns out the decision was a masterstroke.
Official Launch Trailer: Indiana Jones and the Great Circle - YouTubeWatch On
Official Launch Trailer: Indiana Jones and the Great Circle - YouTube
Official Launch Trailer: Indiana Jones and the Great Circle - YouTube
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You really do get the feeling of stepping into Indy’s patinaed boots, while the stealth elements seem to work so much better when you don’t see a remote camera’s view of the action. Hiding behind a crate for guards to pass is much trickier when you can’t see them.
It also adds to the “adventure” part of action-adventure.
The game wears many influences on its sleeve –Hitman,UnchartedandTomb Raider(of course),Mirror’s Edge, even a spot ofFight Night(orFrank Bruno’s Boxingfor those longer in the tooth) – but it also has a touch of theSherlock Holmesgames about it. Everywhere you go there are things to pick up, discover or hunt down, with clues and bonuses aplenty.
Indeed, combat is cleverly implemented, ensuring that gun fights are rare (and mostly deadly) with melee encounters preferred. And for that you’ll often need a weapon as fisticuffs can result in quick energy drain. Thankfully, each location is teeming with items you can wrap around a Nazi’s noggin – including mops, hammers and even back scrubbers.
It all feels so very matinee adventure movie and very much what Spielberg had in mind when he helmedRaiders of the Lost Ark. It displays a deep understanding of the licensed material, yet never forgets that it’s a game too – ensuring it’s just as much fun to play as observe.
Again, that’s largely thanks to the first-person view – giving you an all-new perspective on Indy’s exploits.
(Image credit: Bethesda)
(Image credit: Bethesda)
2. Puzzles
The FP (not so much S) perspective also lends itself well to the numerous puzzles throughoutThe Great Circle. The tombs and traps have been a major aspect of the Indiana Jones mythos and the developer has rightly gone to town here.
As well as puzzles that move the story along, you also get multiple side missions and quests throughout the game that require the solving of different styles of riddles and enigmas.
Some are more physical – such as figuring out how to get out of a room in which you’ve been locked, or placing different items on triggers – while some require logic. You also have a journal and camera to help, so may need to refer to previously taken notes to give you a hint.
That’s all veryUnchartedandTomb Raidertoo, although there’s more a sense of trial and error here – something that comes across in Harrison Ford’s portrayal of Jones in the films. He always seems to be winging it, figuring out the answers as he goes, and that really comes across in the game.
It especially makes the storyline puzzles more interesting and fun, as you feel the character knows about as much as you do, so you learn as you play. It’s hard to nail down exactly, but is another great example of immersion.
(Image credit: Bethesda)
(Image credit: Bethesda)
3. Locations
As with the films, Indiana Jones and The Great Circle is set across multiple global locations, including Vatican City, Giza in Egypt (at the foot of the pyramids) and the Himalayas. And while it is level-based, with completed objectives sending you to the next region, most of them are set in huge open world landscapes featuring a healthy dose of collectables and side missions off the beaten path.
This encourages exploration and expands the play time greatly. Yes, you can whip through the story itself in 15 or so hours, but you’ll miss out on so much – including some great, movie-like interactions with other characters and NPCs. In fact, I spent more than 10 hours in just the Vatican alone and didn’t even collect everything there was to find.
Each location is cinematic too, in that the design feels like a Hollywood representation rather than the real thing, and that’s exactly what’s needed. NPCs are effectively exaggerated characters from a movie, while every building, tomb or rock face seems to have been placed for gameplay reasons, not just to look pretty.
(Image credit: Bethesda)
(Image credit: Bethesda)
4. Graphically stunning
Part of the reason why the locations are so much fun to explore is that they look simply stunning.
MachineGames has always done a great job with its releases, with the Wolfenstein games looking particularly great, butThe Great Circleis on a whole new level. Character models are superb, capturing the nuances of Harrison Ford’s performances in real-time cut scenes especially. And while there is a sort-of rinse and repeat about some of the enemies and other non-player avatars scattered around each locale, you never really mind.
But it is scenery that perhaps wows even more. Ray-traced lighting is employed throughout, even on theXbox Series S, and it makes interiors and tombs look especially majestic.
The opening section of the game is a playable lift of the most famous scene inRaiders, with the Golden Idol being swapped for sand and therefore triggering the giant ball trap. And, thanks to ray tracing and superb game direction, it bears amazing similarity without resorting to pre-rendering or video effects.
The game just looks right – accurately placed within its 1937 timeframe – and without losing a beat. It plays at a locked 60 frames per second onXbox Series Xand S, with the former also displaying crisp details throughout.
I experienced a few glitches during cutscenes – a touch of stuttering and jerkiness – but nothing during gameplay. I’m also certain that the (minor) issue will be ironed out in a future patch.
(Image credit: Bethesda)
(Image credit: Bethesda)
5. Troy Baker IS Indiana Jones
My last main reason for lovingIndiana Jones and The Great Circleso much is Indiana Jones himself – or at least, Troy Baker’s skill in portraying him.
The seasoned voice actor (who also played Sam Drake inUncharted 4: A Thief’s End) not only gets the character’s intonations spot on, it’d be easy to think that it was Ford himself reading the script.
This is partly thanks to the dialogue, which cleverly prevents overuse of Indy’s dulcet tones during gameplay, but also Baker’s experience in voicing games especially. His inflections and pitch changes during wisecracks and exchanges is simply masterful.
If you want players to truly believe they are stepping into the shoes of a major movie icon, this is the way to do it.
(Image credit: Bethesda)
(Image credit: Bethesda)
Conclusion
The Great Circleis everything I’ve always wanted an Indiana Jones game to be and more. It has a tight storyline befitting the franchise (and far better than the last two films achieved), while also exhibiting a keen understanding of whyRaiders,Temple of Doom, andThe Last Crusadeare so loved.
It also never misses a beat and certainly never “nukes the fridge” (just watch Kingdom of the Crystal Skull if you don’t know what I mean).
PC gamers with the best rigs will naturally get the beefiest version, but it’s great to see that the Xbox Series X edition is also excellent. Even Xbox Series S owners will thoroughly enjoy it, albeit at a reduced resolution.
And all three can do so through Game Pass at no extra cost. Staggering really.
PS5 owners will have to wait a bit longer – it’s coming next spring – but hopefully that’ll also mean there will be aPS5 ProEnhanced version too.
And when it does arrive, at least you’ll know that you’ll be getting real, whip-cracking treat.
Today’s best Xbox dealsMicrosoft Xbox Series S$349.99ViewSee all pricesMicrosoft Xbox Series X$449.99ViewSee all pricesMicrosoft Xbox Series X Digital Edition$448ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Xbox dealsMicrosoft Xbox Series S$349.99ViewSee all pricesMicrosoft Xbox Series X$449.99ViewSee all pricesMicrosoft Xbox Series X Digital Edition$448ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Xbox dealsMicrosoft Xbox Series S$349.99ViewSee all pricesMicrosoft Xbox Series X$449.99ViewSee all pricesMicrosoft Xbox Series X Digital Edition$448ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Xbox deals
Microsoft Xbox Series S$349.99ViewSee all pricesMicrosoft Xbox Series X$449.99ViewSee all pricesMicrosoft Xbox Series X Digital Edition$448ViewSee all prices
Microsoft Xbox Series S$349.99ViewSee all prices
Microsoft Xbox Series S$349.99ViewSee all prices
Microsoft Xbox Series S
Microsoft Xbox Series S
$349.99View
$349.99
$349.99
See all prices
Microsoft Xbox Series X$449.99ViewSee all prices
Microsoft Xbox Series X$449.99ViewSee all prices
Microsoft Xbox Series X
Microsoft Xbox Series X
$449.99View
$449.99
$449.99
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Microsoft Xbox Series X Digital Edition$448ViewSee all prices
Microsoft Xbox Series X Digital Edition$448ViewSee all prices
Microsoft Xbox Series X Digital Edition
Microsoft Xbox Series X Digital Edition
$448View
$448
$448
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We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
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