Like most popular adventure franchises,Indiana Joneshasn’t been afraid to dip a toe into outlandish waters every now and then. After all, the very first installment in the franchise ends with an army of ghosts escaping thebiblical Ark of the Covenantand melting some Nazi faces. But an important thing to note is thatIndiana Jones' somewhat absurd moments are often grounded via in-universe logic, making sense of the moment in the context of the story and the world being portrayed.Indiana Jones and the Great Circleadopts a similar approach.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle’s story fully embraces the more bizarre elements of theIndiana Jonesfranchise. The main plot ofThe Great Circlesees Indy uncovering the secrets behind the eponymous mystery – a circle around the world that connects major sites of historical significance– and avoiding a group of giants who are seemingly protecting it. But much like the original source material,Indiana Jones and the Great Circledoes a great job of grounding that narrative, and grounding other larger-than-life moments, such as the game’s bevy of tombs and dungeons.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle’s Dungeons Strike a Good Balance Between Grounded and Fun
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle’s Dungeons Contain Some Outlandish Traps and Puzzles
In classicIndiana Jonesfashion,Indiana Jones and the Great Circle’s dungeons and tombscontain some fairly outlandish traps and puzzles. One of the game’s first major dungeons sees players exploring a secret ritual chamber underneath the Vatican. One of the first traps inside this dungeon is a platforming trial that has Indy dodging oversized swinging axes, and a trap moments later sees a room slowly filling with lava.
To unlock the gigantic stone door in this ritual chamber, Indy needs to complete two trials that send molten metal down a chute and into a mold of a key. These keys are then placed on the giant door at the end of the room. Thetombs in Gizehalso feature a set of elaborate puzzles, with many revolving around the rearrangement of mirrors to reflect light onto locking mechanisms.
On paper, these puzzles and traps seem pretty illogical, with it being highly unlikely ancient civilizations created such elaborate ways to hide their prized possessions. ButanIndiana Jonesgamewouldn’t feel complete without them, and thankfully,The Great Circlehas a few ways to make them feel a little more grounded and immersive.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle’s Dungeons Are Explained Well
Almostevery dungeon inIndiana Jones and the Great Circle, and the traps and puzzles within them, are explained by a piece of in-game lore. This exposition can come in the form of environmental context clues, like wall inscriptions or the placement of certain objects, or through more direct means, such as dialogue from Indy himself or companion Gina Lombardi.
For example, just before hopping across the Vatican ritual chamber’s deadly platforming puzzle, Indy remarks to Gina that it must have been used as a coming-of-age trial for whatever secret society resided there centuries ago. The mirror puzzles in Gizeh are also given a very brief explanation, with them being connected to the Idol of Ra,the Egyptian sun god. Little pieces of exposition like these go a long way in keeping players immersed inIndiana Jones and the Great Circle’s world and narrative.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
WHERE TO PLAY
Uncover one of history’s greatest mysteries in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, a first-person, single-player adventure set between the events of Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Last Crusade. 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™. You’ll become the legendary archaeologist in this cinematic action-adventure game from MachineGames, the award-winning studio behind the recent Wolfenstein series, and executive produced by Hall of Fame game designer Todd Howard.YOU ARE INDIANA JONESLive the adventure as Indy in a thrilling story full of exploration, immersive action, and intriguing puzzles. As the brilliant archaeologist – famed for his keen intellect, cunning resourcefulness, and trademark humor – you will travel the world in a race against enemy forces to discover the secrets to one of the greatest mysteries of all time.A WORLD OF MYSTERY AWAITSTravel from the halls of Marshall College to the heart of the Vatican, the pyramids of Egypt, the sunken temples of Sukhothai, and beyond. When a break-in in the dead of night ends in a confrontation with a mysterious colossal man, you must set out to discover the world-shattering secret behind the theft of a seemingly unimportant artifact. Forging new alliances and facing familiar enemies, you’ll engage with intriguing characters, use guile and wits to solve ancient riddles, and survive intense set-pieces.WHIP-CRACKING ACTIONIndiana’s trademark whip remains at the heart of his gear and can be used to distract, disarm, and attack enemies. But the whip isn’t just a weapon, it’s Indy’s most valuable tool for navigating the environment. Swing over unsuspecting patrols and scale walls as you make your way through a striking world. Combine stealth infiltration, melee combat, and gunplay to combat the enemy threat and unravel the mystery.THE SPIRIT OF DISCOVERYVenture through a dynamic mix of linear, narrative-driven gameplay and open-area maps. Indulge your inner explorer and unearth a world of fascinating secrets, deadly traps ,and fiendish puzzles, where anything could potentially hide the next piece of the mystery – or snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?
