As a long-time fan of the Indiana Jones franchise, I must say that my expectations for the latest installment, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, were through the roof. And boy, did MachineGames deliver! This game is not just a great action-adventure title; it’s an emotional rollercoaster that takes you on a thrilling journey across exotic locales, filled with intricate puzzles, intense brawls, and stylish platforming sequences.
Stepping into MachineGames’ latest project took me by surprise, as I hadn’t realized how skillfully they could shift from their usual focus on intense violence to capturing the Disney-esque atmosphere. Contrary to popular belief, Indiana Jones isn’t a first-person shooter, but rather a game with elements of combat and puzzle-solving. Some might categorize it as a brawler or a puzzle-platformer, but at its core, it’s an authentic embodiment of the films’ essence. It’s intelligent, endearing, visually stunning, and full of action, making it feel like a top-notch interactive Indiana Jones film.
Those nasty Nazis are at it again
The story revolves around Indiana Jones, our renowned archaeologist and professor, who finds himself enmeshed in a fresh worldwide riddle in “Indiana Jones and the Great Circle”. A colossal figure breaches into the museum of artifacts at Marshall University where Indiana Jones lectures. In an unequal fight, Jones is defeated, and both he and the museum are left in ruins, with the thief making off with a priceless artifact. However, he carelessly leaves a medallion behind amidst the chaos – a token of a covert Vatican order.
Intrigued by something enigmatic and awe-inspiring, Indiana Jones prepares for a trip, grabbing his iconic bullwhip, hat, and luggage, destined for Vatican City in Italy during 1937. It’s no wonder that Benito Mussolini and his Black Shirts exert a powerful control over the Church and its hidden knowledge, aligning with the Nazi regime’s goals. As usual, Indiana Jones finds himself at odds with the sinister machinations of the Nazis, led by their unsettling yet captivating occult research head, Emmerich Voss. Little does Indy know that Voss is deeply invested in a legendary artifact called The Great Circle, rumored to bestow immense power upon its possessor.
As I embark on this thrilling journey, I find myself chasing clues worldwide to keep one step ahead of Voss, as Indiana Jones seeks out relics that hold the mysteries of The Great Circle. It’s an incredible trip! This game takes me through stunning locations and diverse environments – from sneaking among the clergy and unearthing secrets within the hallowed halls of the Vatican, to pillaging tombs near the magnificent pyramids in Giza, Egypt. As I delve deeper into the riddle of The Great Circle, I traverse breathtaking landscapes and venture into treacherous crypts that reveal their secrets bit by bit.
The team responsible for breathing life into this adventure is truly remarkable. MachineGames did an exceptional job emulating Indiana Jones and his characteristic behaviors based on Harrison Ford’s portrayal of the character, but it’s Troy Baker who truly knocks it out of the park, offering a highly convincing portrayal of Indy’s rough-and-tumble yet courageous persona. Other impressive performances include Alessandra Mastronardi as investigative journalist Gina Lombardi and Marios Gavrilis as the villainous Emmerich Voss. Each actor delivers their role exceptionally, but it’s Tony Todd who is arguably deserving of praise for his portrayal of the formidable Locus, one of Todd’s final roles before his tragic passing in November. If this was indeed Todd’s last role, he certainly left us with an unforgettable performance, a testament to his unique talent.
The overall composition is brilliantly structured by Gordy Haab, skillfully blending fragments of the renowned melodies by John Williams and other musical masterminds of this series into a powerful and epic orchestral soundtrack that beautifully accentuates the action. It’s worth noting that certain parts of this score incorporate licensed music, but for streamers, there’s a Streamer Mode available, which offers non-licensed music to ensure you remain compliant if you choose to broadcast the game live.
Whip it good
Despite MachineGames being the developer, remember that this isn’t Wolfenstein – it’s Indiana Jones. Instead of battling Nazis with guns or hatchets, you’ll be immersed in a world of ancient history, relics, and artifacts. The core of your adventure lies in investigation and exploration. Just because Indy may excel at other things besides archaeology, such as punching Nazis, doesn’t change the focus of this game.
In that scenario, we’re primarily dealing with a game that leans heavily towards stealth-based platform play. The protagonist, Indy, predominantly relies on his agility and trusty bullwhip to navigate exotic settings and bypass or disarm the obstacles guarding valuable artifacts. There’s an element of similarity in movement mechanics to games such as Dishonored. Indy can leap and scale most items within arm’s reach, while his bullwhip steps in when something is out of reach. He can attach the whip to fixtures and either pull them down or swing to a new location. Moreover, Indy can halt his swinging momentum on the whip and climb directly up or down it like a temporary rope ladder, whether he’s on a wall or rafter.
As you progress, you’ll encounter various adversaries, and knowing when to move quietly or engage head-on becomes crucial. There are numerous melee weapons for Indy to acquire for combat, each with distinct reach and durability. If you manage to sneak up on an enemy unseen, you can perform a stealth takedown, dealing damage without much struggle. Additionally, you might stumble upon disguises that allow you to bypass specific areas undetected by enemy guards. I must admit, one of the most enjoyable parts about starting any session is donning a disguise, landing a punch on a Nazi, and escaping before his companions arrive. The Great Circle offers a therapeutic escape in this sense.
Man oh man, Indiana truly gives it his everything when he’s cornered in a fight! One button is for right hooks, another for left hooks, and you can hold them back for powerful punches. He also knows how to defend and parry his opponents like a pro. Whether he’s using a rock hammer or fighting bare-knuckled, Indy hits fascists as if they were the focus of that famous “I took that personally” Michael Jordan meme! He can even use a whip to take them down, either disarming them or catching them off guard and tossing them to the ground. If you’re looking to improve your skills, there are hidden skill books scattered throughout the game that can enhance various aspects of your combat and survival abilities.
I wish I could say the gunplay was as good, but that feels like a weak point here among all the other goodwill. Firearms kick like mules, but their impact left me wanting. I fired Indy’s revolver and let rip with a bullet right into an enemy head. Not only was there little in the way of satisfying gore or feedback, but they survived the first shot without a helmet, leaving me a little flabbergasted. Other guns didn’t feel much better. Similarly, big fights don’t always feel like they end with the impact they should. I remember in what could be considered a boss battle, the boss just kind of slumped when I hit him enough. I kind of wish I could have had a finishing melee strike for a more satisfying conclusion in cases like that.
Beyond combat and exploration, this game shines in its mystery-unraveling and problem-solving aspects. You’ll find yourself slipping into enemy hideouts, ancient burial sites, temples, and crypts, all while gathering hints and mechanisms that could lead to a significant revelation. Occasionally, you’ll encounter intricate traps like carefully timing floor plates to dodge a barrage of blow darts. Other times, it’s more about mental agility, requiring you to decipher codes from various pieces of information to unlock hidden treasures. Generally speaking, the puzzles in The Great Circle were intricately designed and thought-provoking, often challenging me to think outside the box.
If you find the concept overwhelming, this game offers an option to make the combat easier and simplify the puzzles for your convenience. Moreover, it boasts a variety of accessibility features, including difficulty adjustments, colorblind mode, subtitles, multiple languages, and highlighted objects in the game world, among others.
It belongs in a museum
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle surpassed almost every assumption I had about MachineGames, with one exception – I anticipated an outstanding game. It certainly delivers on that promise, but the reasons for its greatness are multifaceted. The game offers intense combat, slick action-platforming, and brain-teasing puzzles. It also boasts a strong ensemble to deliver compelling acting performances, immersive environments to traverse, and an impressive soundtrack to heighten the atmosphere. MachineGames truly outdoes itself by creating an exhilarating cinematic experience, and they almost hit the mark in every aspect. However, it’s best not to call it a sequel or junior version of anything.
This review is based on an early PC copy provided by the publisher. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle comes out on PC and Xbox Series X/S on December 9, 2024, and on PS5 sometime in 2025.
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2024-12-06 03:29