Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Review: MachineGames Delivers the Definitive Indy Experience

When MachineGames—the studio behind the visceral Wolfenstein series—announced they were developing an Indiana Jones game, expectations were mixed. Could a team known for frenetic Nazi-blasting shooters capture the spirit of cinema’s most beloved archaeologist? After spending hours whipping through Vatican catacombs, solving ancient puzzles, and improvising my way through Nazi encampments, the answer is a resounding yes. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle isn’t just a great licensed game—it’s one of 2024’s standout adventures.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: Game Overview

A Stealth Game Disguised as an Action-Adventure

The Great Circle defies expectations from the opening moments. This isn’t Wolfenstein with a fedora—it’s a methodical stealth game that resembles Dishonored more than MachineGames’ previous output. While the prologue pays homage to Raiders of the Lost Ark with cinematic action, the core gameplay revolves around sneaking through Nazi patrols, solving environmental puzzles, and using improvisation over firepower.

The Vatican City level exemplifies this approach perfectly. Spanning over three hours of gameplay in a single massive location, you explore everything from the Sistine Chapel’s magnificent ceiling to ancient ruins beneath the holy city. Multiple paths, optional mysteries, and environmental storytelling create an immersive sandbox that rewards curiosity and careful observation.

This design philosophy reflects Indy’s character brilliantly. He’s not a superhero with superpowers—he’s a resourceful archaeologist who prefers brains over bullets. Similar to other character-driven stealth games that prioritize player creativity, The Great Circle succeeds by making you feel like Indiana Jones through gameplay mechanics, not just narrative.

Troy Baker Channels Harrison Ford Perfectly

Troy Baker delivers a remarkable performance that captures Harrison Ford’s iconic portrayal. His voice work and physical mannerisms are so convincing that distinguishing between Baker and a young Ford becomes nearly impossible. Combined with superb writing that nails Indy’s charm, humor, and passion for archaeology, the character feels authentically lifted from the silver screen.

The game’s antagonist, Nazi archaeologist Emmerich Voss, serves as a compelling foil—sharing Indy’s obsession with antiquities but twisted through fascist ideology. This mirroring creates dramatic tension that elevates the narrative beyond simple good-versus-evil dynamics.

Composer Gordy Haab’s score captures the essence of John Williams’s legendary themes while introducing original pieces that seamlessly blend with established motifs. The audio design, combined with meticulously detailed historical locations, creates extraordinary immersion that few licensed games achieve.

Globe-Trotting Adventure with Historical Depth

The Great Circle takes you from the pyramids of Giza to a Nazi battleship perched atop a Himalayan mountain. Each location balances historical accuracy with cinematic fiction, recreating iconic spots like Marshall College alongside actual historical sites. The developers clearly researched these locations extensively, evident in the authentic architectural details and environmental storytelling.

The first-person perspective enhances this immersion through tactile interactions. Maps are physical items you pull out and examine; unlocking doors requires inserting keys and turning them; puzzles involve manipulating cogwheels, pouring wine into altars, and examining ancient contraptions. This physicality makes exploration feel tangible in ways third-person perspectives rarely achieve.

Similar to other first-person adventure games that prioritize environmental interaction, The Great Circle understands that immersion comes from making players feel present in the world through direct manipulation of objects and spaces.

Puzzles That Challenge Without Frustrating

Environmental puzzles form the game’s intellectual core, challenging you to observe surroundings and consult Indy’s journal—which catalogs your adventure with notes, photos, and clues you personally gather. Two difficulty settings accommodate different player preferences, though the default setting provides accessible challenges without excessive frustration.

Most puzzles are straightforward multi-layered riddles that emphasize observation over obscure logic. While not particularly difficult, they remain enjoyable thanks to the game’s tactile nature and atmospheric environments. Crucially, the game avoids excessive hand-holding—no omnipresent yellow paint marking climbing paths, forcing you to scrutinize environments before proceeding.

Combat Built on Improvisation

Firearms exist in The Great Circle, but they’re rarely the answer. Stealth takedowns require grabbing makeshift weapons from the environment—guitars, broomsticks, wine bottles, frying pans—creating hilariously satisfying moments as you bonk Nazis with absurd implements.

Getting spotted doesn’t trigger instant failure. Instead, enemies typically engage in small-scale brawls rather than calling reinforcements. Indy’s punches feel weighty and thunderous, with generous parry timing windows making combat accessible without feeling trivial. While somewhat shallow mechanically, the combat avoids tedium by encouraging players to alternate between stealth and improvised violence.

This dynamic captures Indy’s scrappy underdog spirit perfectly. If sneaking fails, start swinging. If a fascist brings a gun to a fistfight, whip it from their hands and use it as a melee weapon. This flexibility echoes the character’s resourcefulness, creating gameplay systems that reinforce character identity.

Open-Ended Levels Reward Exploration

The massive open-ended levels represent the game’s highlight, offering multiple objective completion paths while hiding various side quests, secrets, and mysteries. “Fieldwork” missions add narrative depth, while smaller “Mysteries” provide bite-sized diversions like intercepting enemy correspondence or recovering items stolen by thieving primates.

Completing these rewards skill books—which replace traditional skill trees. Since Indy is an archaeologist and professor, learning abilities by reading scattered books feels organic and character-appropriate. While upgrades aren’t exciting (increased stamina, stronger punches), unlocking them through exploration maintains immersion.

Linear levels intersperse these open areas, delivering spectacular set pieces—shooting down warplanes in Shanghai, hurtling down snow-covered mountains—that appropriate the series’ intense action sequences. While straightforward gameplay-wise, they succeed in creating large-scale spectacle.

Technical Performance and Accessibility

The Xbox Series X|S and PC versions launched smoothly in December 2024, with the PS5 port arriving in May 2025. While the PlayStation version experienced some rough edges at launch, performance stabilized quickly. The game supports various difficulty settings and accessibility options, ensuring diverse players can enjoy Indy’s adventure.

The game’s first-person perspective occasionally shifts awkwardly to third-person during climbing sequences, and the slow climbing/mantling process feels somewhat dated. However, these minor issues rarely detract from the overall experience.

The Verdict: Quintessential Indiana Jones

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is the definitive Indiana Jones game. It captures the films’ look, sound, and spirit while delivering riveting gameplay with unexpected stealth focus and freeform exploration. While certain design aspects feel slightly underwhelming compared to MachineGames’ Wolfenstein pedigree, the game remains a frequent delight that successfully makes you feel like the iconic archaeologist.

At its best, The Great Circle demonstrates what licensed games can achieve when developers understand their source material deeply and design mechanics that reinforce character identity rather than imposing generic gameplay templates. It’s a masterclass in adaptation that respects both the franchise and players’ intelligence.

For comprehensive coverage, visit GameSpot’s full review and the official game website. Explore more about MachineGames’ development philosophy and successful licensed game adaptations.

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