"Indiana Jones and the Great Circle": Great adventure for fans

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No, Indy has not had a good few years. The last two films about the adventures of archaeologist Indiana Jones disappointed audiences and critics alike. It almost seemed as if Indy himself belonged in a museum. MachineGames, known for the brutal Antifa action in the latest "Wolfenstein" games, is now giving the series a makeover and sending Indy & Co. on a trip halfway around the world.

The good old days

In 1937, Indiana Jones does what he does best: snatch the occult toys from the Nazis. Somehow, the ingenious and unscrupulous Nazi scientist Emmerich Voss has discovered the secret of a so-called "Great Circle", which once again promises the Nazis infinite power. He is therefore searching everywhere for suitable artifacts. Naturally, our brave fighter for the culture of remembrance and justice has something against this. Together with a few allies, Indy chases the bad guys from the Vatican to the pyramids of Giza and all the way to Asia.

It's the typical Indiana Jones adventure. It goes from one exotic location to the next, always from one problem to the next. The hero meets a helpful journalist, rummages through a stranded warship on icy mountain peaks, dives through abandoned temples and gets involved in the fight for freedom in former Thailand. It's full of clichés, but doesn't take itself too seriously with a few slapstick interludes. Even though Indy actor Harrison Ford was not involved in the game, MachineGames has imitated his facial expressions almost perfectly.

Not an action hit

But beware: "Indiana Jones and the Great Circle" is less a fast-paced copy of "Uncharted" than a puzzle-heavy adventure that only occasionally steps on the gas pedal. Indy crawls through dark caves in the first-person perspective, solves a few puzzles or sneaks through enemy bases. Unlike MachineGames' "Wolfenstein" series, firearms are only the second choice. Indy usually lets his fists do the talking, or kills his opponents with a shovel or broom.

The sneaking adventure is kept simple: just don't stand out. When Indy is not wearing a disguise, he hides behind crates and tries to evade the guards or takes them out with tools lying around. Firearms are few and far between. In any case, it is not advisable to shoot wildly with Indy. He hardly stands a chance in open combat. A fist fight often helps: dodge, counterattack or disarm your opponent with a whip.

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"Indiana Jones und der Große Kreis" (5 Bilder)

There is no simple path to success. The areas are large, winding, and the enemies are numerous. When Indy enters an enemy area, he has several options. Distract the enemy or take them out from behind? As the guards are alert, he always has to hide their unconscious companions. This is nowhere near as complicated as in games like "Hitman", but the constant danger of being discovered gives players an adrenaline rush.

Clever puzzles

The development studio has put great effort into the puzzles. Combining a few rays of light to open a hidden entrance or solving a few small switch puzzles – Our archaeologist turns out to be a master puzzle solver in the game. His camera provides him with important clues to solving the puzzles. If you're only interested in action, you'll have to wait a long time for Indy to chase through a bombed-out Shanghai in an airplane.

In between, he swings over abysses with a whip or climbs up the sides of buildings. At these moments, the game switches to a clear shoulder perspective. Why not do it this way? The change sometimes causes confusion, especially as the game does without it in some jump passages. Strange: At first, the proportions of the characters and their movements don't seem coherent. This only changes as the game progresses.

In addition to the main story, Indy can embark on sometimes lengthy side missions in so-called field research or search for a few collectibles. A bit of role-playing is also a must: Indy learns new tricks in battle or increases his stamina via various books. Bandages heal minor wounds and once unlocked, Indy's "lucky hat" gives him a second chance after a game over.

MachineGames gives players many options to customize the gaming experience. In addition to different difficulty levels for battles and puzzles, the game also offers some accessibility settings for audiovisual aids. Despite the lack of big names, the voice acting is successful in both the English original and the German version. In short: an all-round carefree package for fans of the legendary movie hero.

Conclusion

Action fans should not go into the game with false expectations. "Indiana Jones and the Great Circle" by MachineGames is no "Uncharted" or "Tomb Raider", but a game for connoisseurs. Instead of an action spectacle, fans can expect a mix of sneaking adventure and puzzle game that starts off weakly, but slowly builds up and delivers some visual wow moments at the end. The genre-atypical first-person perspective is a matter of taste. Those who get used to it can look forward to a classic adventure that will appeal to fans of the film series in particular. Exciting and clever – typical Indy.

"Indiana Jones and the Great Circle" will be released on 9.12. for Windows and Xbox Series. Buyers of the Premium or Collector's Edition can jump into the adventure on 6.12. The game is included in the Game Pass. The PS5 version is expected to be released in 2025 and will cost around €70. USK 16+. We played the Windows version for our text.

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