Summary
MachineGames was aiming for a truly authenticIndiana Jonesexperience withIndiana Jones and the Great Circle, and it turns out that players got that very thing. While much of this authenticity is summed up in the developer’s efforts to makeIndiana Jones and the Great Circle’s version of Indyas true to the original as possible, the game’s authenticity still flows all the way down to its effective reflection of the combat often seen in anIndiana Jonesfilm. Indiana Jones doesn’t always engage in combat with his foes, nor does he prefer to, but there are plenty of times when combat is not only warranted, it’s necessary for Indy to move on to the next step of his adventure.
InIndiana Jones and the Great Circle, players can spend as much or as little time in direct combat as they wish — it all boils down to whether they prioritize exploration, attempt a stealthy approach to subduing enemies, or simply run in guns blazing. Nevertheless, any time players do spend in direct combat inIndiana Jones and the Great Circleis enhanced by its ability to reflect the cinematic feel that only anIndiana Jonesmovie might have otherwise accomplished. Whether it’s the sound of every punch landing on an enemy’s face or Indiana Jones' quick-thinking in the midst of chaos,Indiana Jones and the Great Circlenails its cinematic combat in one way or another.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle’s Combat Nails That Cinematic Feel
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle’s Combat Is Driven by Sound
One of the most recognizable elements ofIndiana Jones and the Great Circle’s combat is its sound — particularly, the sound of a punch. Sound effects for punches have varied across films for countless decades, but they have arguably become more realistic in the modern age.Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, however, chose to exchange modern sound effects for nostalgia when it comes to the sound of Indy’s punches in the game. Rather than going for a more realistic sounding punch,Indiana Jones and the Great Circle’s punch sound effectis almost a perfect replica of the same sound effect used for Indy’s punches in the movies.
Any time players do spend in direct combat inIndiana Jones and the Great Circleis enhanced by its ability to reflect the cinematic feel that only anIndiana Jonesmovie might have otherwise accomplished.
The crack of Indy’s whip is another element ofIndiana Jones and the Great Circlethat gives its combat that cinematic feel. In fact, it’s clear that MachineGames spent just about as much time developingIndiana Jones and the Great Circle’s whipas it did anything else in the game, as it looks, feels, and sounds exactly how it does in the movies. While the whip can be used outside of combat inIndiana Jones and the Great Circle, hearing the loud pop at the end of a whip-swing in combat makes it feel all the more true-to-film.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Makes It Easy to Get Overwhelmed
Another element ofIndiana Jones' combat thatIndiana Jones and the Great Circleneeded to get right for authenticity’s sake is the fact that Indiana Jones is not a superhero and therefore often finds himself facing overwhelming odds. There are moments throughout theIndiana Jonesmovieswhere something will go wrong or Indy will make a mistake, only for him to quickly find himself outnumbered and outmatched. These moments also happen inIndiana Jones and the Great Circle, where the behavior and responses of enemies are often unpredictable, sometimes forcing players to improvise their way out of danger or to simply run away as fast as they possibly can.
By balancing the chaotic unpredictability of a brawl with Indy’s resourcefulness,Indiana Jones and the Great Circleensures that every fight in the game is a cinematic moment that feels pulled straight from the films. MachineGames' dedication toauthenticity inIndiana Jones and the Great Circle, from the nostalgic punch sound effects to the whip’s signature crack, shines through in every encounter, immersing players in the kind of action that has always definedIndiana Jones. With its attention to detail and commitment to honoring the franchise’s legacy,Indiana Jones and the Great Circleshows what it truly means to step into the boots of one of cinema’s most iconic adventurers.
