Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: Pros and Cons of the Game

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle marks the first full-fledged game about Indiana Jones in 15 years. What makes it captivating, and where does it fall short? This article dives into what you can expect from the archaeologist’s adventure—from its atmosphere to its gameplay. It lays out the strengths and weaknesses to help you decide if it’s worth your time and money. Everything here is based on real critic reviews and developer data, with no spoilers included.

What Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Is About

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle takes place in 1937, set between the films Raiders of the Lost Ark and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Indiana Jones, voiced by Troy Baker, sets out to stop the Nazis from harnessing the power of the Great Circle—a network of ancient sites like the Vatican and Giza that form a perfect circle on the map. The prologue throws you into the opening of Raiders: traps, a golden idol, and a daring escape from a rolling boulder. 

As Kotaku points out, it even features a digital SatiPo—a guide from the movie, played by Alfred Molina—who betrays Indy and meets his doom. The game plays in first-person, switching to third-person during cutscenes—totaling about four hours in the game, according to TheXboxHub—or when leaping with the whip, with transitions so seamless they never pull you out of the moment. The story of the game builds a thrilling adventure where the archaeologist faces off against enemies and unravels mysteries.

If you’ve seen all the films, you might spot connections to Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. The idol prologue nods to Raiders, while a Shanghai scene echoes the chases of Temple of Doom. Characters like Marion Ravenwood and Marcus Brody get mentions. Still, the plot of the game stands on its own and doesn’t demand familiarity with the movies.

Pros of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: What Makes the Game Stand Out

The game has earned strong ratings: 87/100 on Metacritic for PC, 86/100 for Xbox, and 92% recommendations on OpenCritic. Its strengths truly shine, and here’s why.

Atmosphere Straight Out of the Movies

The sound of footsteps echoing on stone tomb floors, the sharp crack of a whip, and Indy’s sly remarks instantly transport you into the movie universe. Cutscenes in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle are crafted with flair: shadows fall dramatically, tension builds by the minute, and moments like the Shanghai plane fight feel like the high-octane chases from Temple of Doom. Troy Baker’s voice brings back the young Harrison Ford vibe so well that Ford himself called it “brilliant.” 

Gordy Haab’s soundtrack weaves in John Williams’ iconic notes, amplifying the sense that you’re part of a new chapter in the franchise. Every level, from dusty temples to bustling streets, oozes the adventurous spirit of the 1930s in a way that’s unmistakable. Small touches—like the creak of chests or the thud of falling rocks—breathe life into it all. It’s not just a game—it’s a chance to walk in Indy’s footsteps from the silver screen.

Puzzles That Demand Clever Thinking

Solving puzzles in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle feels like piecing together an ancient map, with each clue unlocking the next step. You’ll shift statues to clear a path or angle mirrors to shine light on a hidden symbol—it’s not about mindless button-mashing, but real brainwork. Indy’s camera acts as your sidekick: snap a few shots, and it highlights key details, though you still need to connect the dots yourself. 

The difficulty settings let you pick an easier route with simpler challenges or stick to the standard mode where puzzles demand persistence. Critics praise how these tasks don’t spoon-feed answers, offering room to think and setting the game apart. In Giza, tracking down the Idol of Ra turns into a series of riddles, each hint leading to the next. It’s not just window dressing—it’s the heart of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, turning you into an explorer.

Graphics Worthy of an Adventure

When Indy stands before the Giza pyramids, with the sun casting long shadows across the sand, you’ll want to pause and take it all in—the visuals are that striking. Rain in Sukhothai leaves wet streaks on the hero’s hat, while light dances off the Vatican catacomb walls, creating a real sense of depth. Critics gave the visuals top marks: 

• Eurogamer a 5/5, 
• IGN a 9/10. 

And it’s easy to see why—the world feels alive. Raindrops slide down Indy’s face, sand clings to his boots—these details make the locations in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle feel tangible. Even tiny elements like cracks in stones or smoke from torches are drawn with care. On a modest Xbox Series S, the graphics stay crisp without losing their punch. These aren’t just pretty backdrops—they’re places you’ll want to linger in.

Historical Easter Eggs for the Curious

Discovering Cesare Borgia’s letter in the Vatican is like touching the secrets of history right in the game. The Idol of Ra in Giza ties back to Egyptian myths, while notes scattered across levels hint at long-gone eras. These aren’t just trinkets—they turn exploration in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle into a journey through time. Every find, whether an old scroll or a weathered map, adds meaning to the locations and sparks curiosity about their past. It’s not a sprint through stages, but a chance to feel part of something bigger. In Sukhothai, traces of ancient civilizations blend seamlessly into the story of the game, enriching it. These touches make the game a treasure trove for detail lovers.

Tons of Content

The main storyline runs 15-20 hours, but if you poke around every nook, it stretches past 30 hours. The Vatican alone can eat up 8-9 hours if you hunt down every relic, note, and side mission, like aiding locals. Side quests, such as tracking down a diary in the Vatican, don’t just pad time—they uncover fresh story bits. 

Even snapping photos of statues earns adventure points for upgrades like extra stamina. There’s no fluff here—every task ties into the bigger picture. Locations brim with secrets: hidden passages, tucked-away chests, rare artifacts—all keeping you hooked. That depth turns it into a full-on journey, not a quick dash.

Technical Stability

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle runs smoothly even on an Xbox Series S, delivering 60 FPS without noticeable dips—a rarity among new releases. Load times after a wipeout are nearly instant, saving your sanity during tough fights. Major bugs are almost nonexistent: weapons don’t glitch into walls, and characters don’t fall through floors like in some other games. 

Sales back up its polish: it hit second place in the US during launch week and 14th for December. Even on basic hardware, the visuals in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle stay sharp, and controls feel spot-on. It’s not just luck—it’s a solid foundation that makes every battle or leap a breeze. That smoothness lets you focus on the game, not its hiccups.

Voice Acting and Direction

Gina Lombardi’s voice, brought to life by Alessandra Mastronardi, carries a bold warmth that perfectly pairs with Indy in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. Locus, voiced by Tony Todd, booms with power and mystery—his final lines hit hard, marking his last role before passing. Cutscenes are staged so well that even quiet chats carry weight. MachineGames, known for their Wolfenstein flair, turned the game into a cinematic spectacle. Lines match the moment: a whisper in catacombs or a shout in combat feels real. The staging of scenes like the showdown with Voss grabs you with its intensity. It’s not just voice work—it’s a live theater unfolding on your screen.

Cons of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: Where the Game Falls Short

There are downsides too, and they might dampen your experience.

Linearity Over Freedom

Locations like the Vatican or Giza in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle seem open, but it’s an illusion—you’re stuck on narrow paths with just a couple of side branches. Your choices are slim: stick to the story or detour briefly to grab a chest of bandages. Even in sandbox areas like Sukhothai, you can’t break free from the set route—walls and invisible barriers snap you back in line. 

It lacks that free-roaming vibe where you’d climb every ledge or sneak around foes from any angle. Side quests are locked to the main path, and skipping them cuts into the narrative. In the movies, Indy always found a clever way out, but here it’s all too predictable. That constraint might kill your urge to explore more.

Shallow Stealth

Enemies in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle often act deaf and blind—they miss footsteps and ignore bodies nearby, draining the thrill from stealth. On the hardest difficulty, their hearing sharpens, but they still don’t check corners and cool off fast. You can take them out quietly with a frying pan or shovel, yet their lack of response turns it into a chore. As Kotaku notes, it’s not the depth you’d expect from a game where stealth is central. Disguises like a priest’s robe open doors, but officers see through them too easily, undercutting the idea. Stealth ends up a monotonous slog, not a challenge. Compared to Wolfenstein from the same team, it feels like a downgrade.

Repetitive Tasks

Hunting for supplies like bandages or photographing statues for points in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle starts off as part of the archaeological charm but soon turns rote. After 10-15 hours, you’re doing these chores on autopilot, barely thinking—just ticking boxes. Even side missions, like delivering notes or collecting relics, boil down to a find-and-return pattern. 

There’s no spark of variety where a quest throws in a twist or fresh mechanic. It’s not the grand hunts from the films that flipped the script with every discovery—more like a looping cycle in a pretty package. That sameness wears you down, especially if you wanted something more gripping. These tasks could’ve been shorter or spaced out to keep the momentum.

Indy’s Fragility in Combat

Indy in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle goes down after a couple of hits, and facing two foes unarmed leaves him nearly helpless—he’s no action hero, just a guy. Bullets offer no shield: one good shot sends you back to a checkpoint, a real annoyance in heated scraps. Fistfights with blocks and parries demand precision, but stamina runs dry fast, leaving you exposed. 

The revolver’s handy, but ammo’s scarce, and makeshift weapons like shovels break after a few swings. It keeps battles tense, but often in a frustrating way—they’re more maddening than fun. Tight spaces in the game amplify this, with enemies overwhelming by sheer numbers. You’re stuck stockpiling bandages or dodging fights, which isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.

Slow Start

The opening hours of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle drag with long treks through the same spots—you’ll circle back to the same Vatican courtyards over and over. The story kicks off at a crawl: a cat mummy theft, medallion hunting, chats with Gina—it’s not the breakneck pace of the films’ wild chases. Side tasks like gathering notes stretch time without picking up speed. Even the stunning cutscenes sometimes stall with drawn-out talks lacking action. It’s not dull—it just asks for patience that action fans might not have. The back half of the game ramps up, but you’ve got to stick it out to get there. It’s built more for thoughtful play than instant thrills.

System Requirements

Ray tracing at 4K requires an RTX 4090.

Who Indiana Jones Teams Up With in the Great Circle

Key characters:

• Gina Lombardi (Alessandra Mastronardi): A journalist searching for her sister Laura, lost to the Nazis. Her boldness echoes Marion Ravenwood.
• Emmerich Voss (Marios Gavrilis): A Nazi archaeologist obsessed with the Great Circle. One of the franchise’s top villains, as Kotaku notes.
• Locus (Tony Todd): A hulking figure who swipes an artifact early on. His final role before passing in 2024.
• Viktor Gantz (Tom Beck): A Nazi colonel.

What Corners of the World Indiana Jones Explores

Locations in order of appearance in the game:

Player Reviews

In Steam, the game boasts a 92% positive rating. Players rave about the atmosphere, voice acting, and gameplay but knock the stealth and slow early pace.

How Gameplay Works in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: Stealth, Combat, and Platforming

Gameplay rests on three pillars. Stealth lets you sneak, hide behind cover, and take out foes quietly—say, with a frying pan or shovel that breaks fast. Disguises unlock restricted areas: a priest’s robe in the Vatican, a worker’s outfit in Giza. Combat features fistfights with blocks and parries, plus rare revolver shots—ammo’s like gold dust. The whip’s a Swiss Army knife: it disarms enemies, stuns them, and aids platforming. Leaping across chasms or scaling walls in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle often demands careful stamina management, drained by every move. Difficulty settings are split: ease up combat while keeping puzzles tricky, or vice versa. It’s a flexible setup, but stealth and Indy’s fragility call for patience.

Secrets to Mastering Tough Spots in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

Some parts of the game can trip you up. In the Vatican, slipping into a guarded zone gets dicey with officers who see through disguises—you’ll need to dodge them or toss bottles as distractions. In Giza, facing multiple foes in a tight hallway demands stealth; otherwise, Indy’s toast from gunfire. 

Sukhothai’s underwater stretches need a rebreather for long dives—miss it by skipping side paths, and you’re sunk. Puzzles like the Himalayan mirrors hinge on photography: the camera highlights key spots. The final boss, Emmerich Voss in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, is brutal up close but weak to whip strikes aimed at his legs. These challenges test your wits and strategy, not just reflexes.

Tips for Playing

• Save your bullets: the revolver has limited ammo.
• Grab notes: they offer puzzle hints and points.
• Take your time: areas unlock with the story.
• Boost Indy: skill books enhance combat.
• Use disguises: a priest in the Vatican, a worker in Giza.

What We Know About the Order of Giants DLC for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

The “Order of Giants” DLC drops in 2025, extending the Great Circle saga. It ties into the game’s secret ending, where Indy uncovers a mural pointing to the South Pole and Locus’s tracks near Noah’s Ark. The title hints at the Nephilim Order—giants guarding the Circle’s secrets. It’s part of the Premium and Collector’s editions of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle with early access and a digital artbook. With the game’s 4 million players, the DLC might flesh out Locus’s tale and unveil new locations. Details are scarce, but it promises to explore the fallout of Indy’s choices.

How Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Uses Tech and Its Engine

The game runs on id Tech 7, the engine behind Doom Eternal, tweaked by MachineGames into Motor. It delivers steady 60 FPS and fast loads even on weaker setups. SpeedTree handles dynamic foliage—Sukhothai’s jungles sway in the breeze. SpeechGraphics syncs speech to facial movements, bringing cutscenes to life. 

Oodle speeds up texture loading, smoothing transitions between locations in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. The engine nails seamless perspective shifts—from first-person combat to third-person jumps. This tech prowess sets the game apart, though 4K ray tracing needs hefty hardware.

How Indiana Jones Stacks Up Against Adventure Hits

Should You Buy Indiana Jones and the Great Circle?

The game suits those who:

• Love the Indy films and linear tales.
• Enjoy puzzles that make you think.
• Crave atmosphere with stellar voice work.

It’s not for you if you:

• Want an open world.
• Prefer action over reflection.
• Dislike repetitive tasks.

Eurogamer dubbed Indiana Jones and the Great Circle the best Indy adventure since The Last Crusade.

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