Review: Indiana Jones and the Great Circle | Xbox

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle isn’t just another licensed game – it’s a wonderful archaeological expedition that manages to unearth what made the original films so special, even if it occasionally stumbles over its own ambition.

A Fresh Perspective

MachineGames’ bold decision to place players behind Indy’s eyes in first-person initially raised eyebrows, but it largely pays off. While the perspective shift takes some getting used to, especially during platforming sequences, it creates an unprecedented level of immersion when examining ancient artefacts or throwing impromptu punches at fascists.

Adventure Done Right

The game’s three main hub areas – the Vatican, Gizeh, and Sukhothai – are masterfully crafted spaces that encourage genuine exploration. Unlike typical open-world bloat, each location feels purposeful, packed with clever environmental puzzles that respect player intelligence. The game trusts you to piece together solutions without excessive hand-holding, making every “eureka” moment genuinely satisfying.

More Than Just Another Pretty Face

Troy Baker’s performance as Dr. Jones is remarkably convincing, capturing Harrison Ford’s wit and charm without falling into mere imitation. The supporting cast shines too, particularly Alessandra Mastronardi as Gina, whose chemistry with Indy elevates the story beyond simple treasure hunting.

Combat: Hit and Miss

The fighting system is a mixed bag. While the improvisational melee combat is brilliant – letting you grab everything from dustpans to violins as weapons – the gunplay feels deliberately undermined. Enemies are bullet sponges, and alerting a base full of soldiers usually ends poorly. However, this design choice does encourage the kind of resourceful problem-solving Indy is famous for.

Room for Improvement

Not everything hits the mark. The first-person perspective occasionally struggles during platforming sections, and the stealth mechanics are rather basic – guards have surprisingly short memories and questionable awareness of their surroundings. The collection of random trinkets also feels unnecessary, though thankfully they’re entirely optional.

Despite these niggles, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is a return to form for both the franchise and single-player adventure games. It’s clever, engaging, and captures the spirit of the films while carving out its own identity. While not quite perfect, it’s exactly the kind of game that reminds us why we fell in love with the fedora-wearing archaeologist in the first place.