Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

Developer: MachineGames
Release: Dec 8th 2024
Platforms:
Action
Adventure
Immersive
Authentic
Engaging
Performance Issues
Annoying Companion
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Poster

" Authentic action-adventure with engaging puzzles and cinematic Indiana Jones feel but performance issues "

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Review

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is widely praised as a faithful and immersive adaptation of the iconic Indiana Jones franchise, capturing the spirit of the original trilogy with strong storytelling, engaging puzzles, and atmospheric exploration. Players appreciate the cinematic presentation, Troy Baker's stellar voice acting as Indy, and the well-crafted globe-trotting narrative that blends mystery, action, and humor effectively.

Gameplay balances puzzle-solving, combat, and stealth, with the whip mechanic and environmental interactions standing out as innovative and enjoyable. The game offers expansive, detailed environments rewarding exploration, though some find the side quests and collectibles repetitive. Technical demands are high, requiring robust hardware for optimal visuals, and some players report performance issues and bugs, including crashes and save glitches. Companions, especially one named Gina, receive mixed feedback due to annoying dialogue and characterization.

Overall, the game is considered a must-play for Indiana Jones fans and adventure game enthusiasts, delivering a memorable and cinematic experience despite some mechanical and technical shortcomings.

Highlights

Players highly praise the game's authentic Indiana Jones atmosphere, including the story, voice acting, and character portrayals that feel true to the films.

The puzzle design and exploration are standout features, with clever, rewarding challenges and richly detailed locations.

The graphics and audio receive acclaim for their beauty and immersion, especially the lighting, environmental effects, and soundtrack.

Combat and whip mechanics are noted for being cinematic and fun, enhancing the adventurous feel.

The game’s pacing and narrative structure keep players engaged throughout a substantial playtime, often exceeding 40 hours.

Criticisms

Common criticisms include performance and optimization issues, particularly on high-end hardware and at 4K resolutions, leading to crashes and stuttering.

The companion character Gina is frequently described as annoying, poorly written, and detracting from the experience.

Some players find the combat mechanics clunky, especially gunplay and stealth, which can feel repetitive or frustrating.

The side quests and collectible hunts are often viewed as tedious with little meaningful reward.

Navigation and UI elements, such as the map and fast travel system, are sometimes unintuitive or inconvenient.

Minor bugs and occasional soft-locks are reported but generally not game-breaking.

Pros

  • Authentic Indiana Jones atmosphere with faithful story and characters.
  • Engaging and clever puzzles that reward exploration and thought.
  • Beautiful, detailed environments with impressive lighting and effects.
  • Outstanding voice acting, especially Troy Baker as Indiana Jones.
  • Whip mechanics add fresh, fun traversal and combat options.
  • Long gameplay duration offering over 40 hours of content.
  • Cinematic presentation that feels like playing an Indiana Jones movie.

Cons

  • Performance and optimization issues on high-end PCs and 4K setups.
  • Companion character Gina is annoying and poorly written.
  • Clunky gunplay and repetitive combat mechanics.
  • Side quests and collectibles feel like tedious grind with no reward.
  • Navigation and fast travel systems are unintuitive and inconvenient.
  • Occasional bugs and save issues causing frustration.
  • Some platforming segments have imprecise controls.

Rating Criteria

Story
Difficulty
Graphics
Duration
Stability
Worth the Price
Capsule image

Uncover one of history’s greatest mysteries in a first-person, single-player adventure. The year is 1937, sinister forces are scouring the globe for the secret to an ancient power connected to the Great Circle, and only one person can stop them - Indiana Jones™.

Release Date Dec 8th 2024
Publisher Bethesda Softworks
Developer MachineGames
Platforms

User Reviews

Very Positive (5,519)
91% Positive 9% Negative

Online Reviews

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Metacritic
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