There have been quite a fewIndiana Jonesgames over the years. Most of these games can be sorted into a sliding scale that ranges between puzzle games and action-adventure games. For instance, classic point-and-click LucasArts titles likeIndiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantisbelong to the puzzle side of the spectrum, whileIndiana Jones and the Emperor’s Tombis more action-focused, andthe LEGOIndiana Jonesgamesland right in the middle.Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, however, offers a completely new type ofIndyexperience.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circleis home to a ton of puzzles and intense action set pieces, but the vast majority of its runtime is spent slowly exploring large open areas, sneaking around enemy patrols. In this regard,Indiana Jones and the Great Circlefeels more inspired byThiefandDishonoredthanUnchartedandTomb Raider.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Takes Inspiration from Thief and Dishonored’s Immersive Sim Qualities
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Is Influenced by Thief and Dishonored’s Immersive Worlds
A major highlight of the classic1998-2004Thiefseriesand its sort of spiritual successor series,Dishonored,is their immersive sim qualities. An immersive sim can be defined in many different ways, but a common feature is a highly-detailed world that feels extremely atmospheric.
Thief’s medieval towns, for instance, feature realistic lighting and shadows cast by historical-inspired streetlamps, cobbled streets, and tall stained-glass windows.Dishonored’s steampunk-inspired city of Dunwallis a little more fantastical, but it feels just as grounded thanks to the series' strong art direction and logical architecture.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circlefeatures a similarly grounded world, with similar immersive sim qualities. Players are dropped into several real-world locations, all of which have been carefully crafted to look as life-like as possible.Indiana Jones and the Great Circle’s lighting effects, sound design, and visuals all reinforce the realism of these locations, which in turn reinforces the player’s immersion in the moment-to-moment gameplay.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Builds On Thief and Dishonored’s Enemy AI and Physics Systems
Another common feature of an immersive sim is realistic enemy and NPC behavior. BothThiefandDishonoredsee enemy guard patrols follow designated routes, and both see those guards react logically when one of their patrol suddenly goes missing. These games also tend to have strong physics systems, meaning that enemy bodies will react in a realistic way when struck.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circleputs its physics system at the forefront of its combat and platforming. Players can useIndy’s iconic whipto yank guards towards them, causing their character models to stumble realistically into any furniture or scenery objects in their path. Enemies will also fall to the ground realistically when knocked unconscious, adding some tangible weight to the game’s combat.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Borrows Thief and Dishonored’s Layered Approach to Stealth
Immersive sims likeThiefandDishonoredare all about presenting the player with choices and allowing them to decide their own route to an objective. This is especially prevalent with these games' stealth systems, which will often allow the player to enter locations and approach targets in a variety of different ways.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circlefollows suit here as well. Players are frequently dropped into a large open environment and tasked with reaching an objective on the other side. To get there, players can sneak through air vents, climb ledges, hop through open windows, and swing over enemies using their whip.
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?
