One of 2024’s most anticipated games, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle looks to be an ideal translation of the iconic character’s adventures to new consoles. Developed by MachineGames in conjuction with Lucasfilm, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is a thrilling realizationn of the franchise’s potential in gaming form. That comes with whips, guns, quips, and plenty of adventure. During a preview event ahead of GamesCom (attended by That Hashtag Show), Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Game Director Jerk Gustafsson and Creative Director Axel Torvenius highlighted several specifically exciting sequences from the game.
The pair admited the game was a change of pace after titles like Wolfenstein: The New Order. It was also something they took on with overall excitement. “It’s something that I think is has been very refreshing for the team and the studio,” the pair teased. They aren’t kidding either, as the footage shown to members of the press (including That Hashtag show) hints at the sheer scope of the upcoming game adaptation.
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Living History — A New Indiana Jones Adventure
Indiana Jones is synonymous with adventure, and that’s reflected in Great Circle. Players will travel the world as Indy. The settings range from the desert to the Arctic, showcasing the world at large. The game will shift frequently from linear sequences to open-world sections, befitting a natural sense of adventure. “It is the biggest game MachineGames has made so far,” Torvenius teased.
“We do have some sections of the game that are more open and we have sections of the game that are more linear. The sections of the games that are more open allow for a lot of exploration…. There is plenty of opportunities to explore environments, finding secrets and hidden things.” This opened-ended approach befits the character. It also doesn’t detract from the larger set-pieces, however, which give the game some impressive action beats.
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The New Indy
The game looks to be a truly cinematic experience. While cutscenes will play out in impressive sequences, the main gameplay will be largely first-person. The footage seen during the preview showcased immersive puzzle design and immense worldbuilding. Notably, it required players to actually act like Indiana Jones, with a presentation and story that feels authentic to the franchise.
Troy Baker plays Indiana Jones in the game, doing an impressive job of replicating Harrison Ford’s iconic gruff voice. Set after the events of Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Great Circle centers around an unseen connection between several global holy sites. With mysteries abounding and untold power at risk, Indy will have to race across the globe to beat Nazi Emmerich Voss to the answer.
Along the way, he teams up with Italian reporter Gina Lombardi, who has her own reasons to accompny Indy. All together, it looks perfectly attuned to the tone of the source material. It’s an globe-trotting story with plenty of classic action, humor, and intrigue. The result feels like a cinematic Indiana Jones story that opens up to a wider world of adventure.
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The Indiana Jones Experience
The game looks to be a truly cinematic experience. Big staged moments will play out in impressive sequences, however the main gameplay will be largely first-person. The footage seen by members of the press (including That Hashtag Show) showcased immersive puzzle design and immense worldbuilding.
There are little touches of comedy in the action, befitting an Indiana Jones story. Gustafsson and Torvenius noted how combat finishers were a perfect place to introduce some minor character comedy. “That whole [comedy] vibe is translated into the game experience in several different ways.” While the dialogue covers a lot of it, it also comes into play during the game itself. Gameplay mechanics like the Adventure Log and photography flesh out the mystery. It can help solve mysteries, expand the world, or
Part of it comes across in the gameplay, with clever in-character finishers and actions. The focus is on putting players into the shoes of Indiana Jones. This means huge scale and hidden puzzles. One section of the gameplay footage reinforced this approach with clever construction. Indiana faces a puzzle that’s equal parts deciphering religious clues breaking through a wall, the right mix of action, adventure, and intrigue to feel like an Indiana Jones story.
Combat looks to be a vital aspect of the game. Players can block, parry, and fight their way through Nazi squads. However, they can be quickly overwhelmed. Players will need to be crafty to achieve victory, just like Indiana Jones would. This can mean using stealth to sneak up on foes from behind. Sometimes it means utilizing the environment to your advantage. It’s a clever way to craft a wide-ranging game that pushes the player to embrace Indy’s style.
Based on what MachineHead evidently has made, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle looks exciting, cinematic, and more than anything — fun. Gustafsson and Torvenius’ preview highlighted the thrilling potential of the franchise in video game form has been realized. Fans of Indiana Jones are going to want to discover the Great Circle for themselves.
