Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Review – Nostalgia Meets Adventure, Despite Some Stumbles

MachineGames are good at a lot of things, and killing Nazis happens to be high on that list. Aside from creating some incredible first-person action set pieces across the Wolfenstein IP, the team is putting their full effort into a video game adaptation of every ’80s and ’90s kid’s hero, Indiana Jones, with the release of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.

I recall humming the John Williams tunes numerous times as I climbed trees and rocks. Indiana Jones is “adventure” in its purest form. Now, how can this developer even think they could capture all of that in a first-person video game about a franchise that has been fairly lukewarm in terms of quality with its recent film releases? While I can’t answer that for them, I can say this will likely be a very divisive game.

A Nostalgic Opening That Grounds You in Familiar Territory

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle opens with some familiar set pieces. This opening allowed me to feel grounded in very familiar territory. As a kid, I remember reenacting these scenes from Raiders of the Lost Ark by heart, and experiencing them in this game was pretty incredible—though not groundbreaking.

The first few areas, including Marshall College and a Nazi camp in Vatican City, feel unremarkable compared to later locations like the greater Vatican area and Giza. These early stages are semi-linear and allow for exploration, but they lack the excitement that defines Indiana Jones.

However, as the game progresses, the developer’s expertise in set piece design begins to shine. Each room and dungeon is highly detailed, though some repeated assets detract from the immersion. The level design evokes comparisons to Dishonored, with opportunities to climb rooftops and sneak undetected. Unfortunately, the early stages don’t quite fill the larger-than-life shoes of Indiana Jones—but once you reach Giza, everything changes.

A Story Full of Nostalgia and Adventure

Across the story—which I honestly don’t want to spoil for you in this review, as it is arguably the best part of this game—you’ll find everything that a nostalgic Indiana Jones fan could hope for. It’s packed with the action, exploration, and globe-trotting excitement that define the franchise.

Throughout the story, Indiana Jones travels to various parts of the world. While not all areas are equally significant, once you reach Giza, the adventure truly finds its footing.

Exploration That Feels Like Classic Indiana Jones

It was in Giza that I finally felt like Indiana Jones. I explored hidden caves that weren’t marked on the map, gathered artifacts, and pieced together puzzles that unlocked secret rooms containing gear or stat-increasing books. These moments brought the feeling of adventure to life in a way no other part of the game could.

The narrative cinematics amplify this excitement, featuring meaningful interactions and character dynamics. Gina Lombardi, the heroine of this adventure, stands out as an exceptional addition to the story. A journalist searching for her sister, Gina adds depth and becomes a natural partner to Indiana Jones, fitting seamlessly into the franchise.

Moments That Capture the Spirit of Adventure

When I say that this game made me feel like Indiana Jones, I mean it. From exploring caves to solving intricate puzzles, there were moments where I audibly “woohooed”—like during a scene involving boarding a giant blimp in mid-flight.

For players seeking this kind of thrilling, nostalgic experience, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle delivers. However, it’s not without flaws, and those looking for a more refined experience from MachineGames might feel let down.

Where Immersion Falls Short

The game aims to create an immersive experience, encouraging players to tackle situations as Indiana Jones would. While this works in many cases, there are glaring issues that undermine this ambition.

Enemy AI Fails to Impress

The enemy AI is laughably weak. Even on the highest difficulty, I could easily cheese my way through crowds of enemies. Early-game combat relies heavily on melee fights, but later you can pick up weapons—only to find that Indiana Jones can’t hold onto them for long.

Frustrating Item Management

For reasons unknown, Indiana Jones constantly drops whatever he’s holding. Climbing a ledge, opening a lock, or equipping another item, such as a lighter or camera, will force him to discard his weapon or torch. This becomes especially annoying when taking pictures of clues in the dark, as you’ll need to repeatedly pick up the torch after using the camera.

This cumbersome item navigation detracts from the experience and feels unintuitive. While disguises are a clever addition, they’re rendered pointless when Indy automatically dons his iconic fedora the moment he enters a dungeon.

Puzzles: Easy Yet Enjoyable for Fans

Some of the puzzles in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle are laughably easy, with keys placed just inches away from their locks and answers spelled out for you. However, the game does include options to adjust puzzle difficulty, allowing players to tailor the challenge to their playstyle.

If you’re a seasoned fan of MachineGames, I recommend playing on the highest difficulty without puzzle hints. The puzzles are a highlight of the game, providing enough depth and intrigue to keep you engaged even if the combat feels lackluster.

Adventure Missions and Replayability

To progress the main campaign, you’ll need to complete Adventure Missions, but there’s more to discover. Along the way, you’ll encounter:

• Field Work: Tasks that pop up randomly during exploration and offer dynamic, engaging challenges.
• Mysteries: Optional puzzles or quests tied to the game’s world-building.
• Discoveries: Special moments where you solve puzzles or find hidden items, often by taking pictures.

Of these, Field Work was the most fun. These unpredictable encounters kept exploration exciting and rewarded me for taking my time. Your playthrough may vary significantly depending on how you approach these elements, enhancing the game’s replayability.

Combat: A Missed Opportunity

Let’s address the elephant in the room: combat versus the AI. Most encounters involve stealth takedowns using melee weapons, which unfortunately suffer from durability limits. While repair kits are available, I rarely felt the need to use them, as combat lacked depth.

Unimpressive Stealth Mechanics

The stealth system is underwhelming. For example:

• I could hold a torch and still sneak up on guards without detection.
• Enemy AI is so simplistic that I could use the same repetitive techniques throughout the game.

A Boring Boss Fight

One boss encounter involved sneaking around an enemy that couldn’t see, which initially sounded exciting. However, remnants of unused mechanics (like piles of coins and leaves that might have made noise) suggest this fight was meant to be more dynamic. In its current form, it’s a dull cycle of hitting and baiting until the boss dies.

The Trade-Offs of High-Budget Development

I suppose that’s the reality of these high-budget games though. There’s a lot of moving parts that these developers are supposed to create independently while another group stitches it all together. As it stands, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle does a great job at delivering the experience that I’ve been waiting most of my life for. The adventure was thrilling and downright addicting after the opening stages. It really feels like the Indiana Jones game that I’ve always wanted. However, this is meant to be immersive, and in that area it fails too often with dull AI and strange item management. So, I’ll leave it up to you whether or not that’s the kind of experience you want.

Final Verdict: A Nostalgic Adventure Worth Taking

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle was an absolute joy to play, despite its flaws. This game is made for those of us who grew up chasing adventure—whether in the backyard or through the glow of a TV screen, dreaming of forgotten tombs and ancient relics. It captures the magic of those moments and, dare I say, made me consider buying a fedora.

Yes, it stumbles in areas like enemy AI and item management, but its puzzles and richly detailed environments more than make up for those shortcomings.

A Game That Embodies the Spirit of Adventure

For all its imperfections, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle captures the spirit of Indiana Jones in a way that few games or movies manage. It reminds us that adventure isn’t about perfection—it’s about the journey, the memories, and the thrill of discovery.

As Indy himself says, “It’s not the years, honey. It’s the mileage.” And this game has more than enough mileage to make it worth your time, especially if you’re seeking something fun to enjoy this holiday season.