Having enjoyed many video games in my youth, the one type of title with the most significant variability of quality—arguably to this day —is the movie tie-in release. While there are a few gems out there, simply having a title associated with a movie franchise with a set release date meant very short turnaround times or low budgets (after all, parents would likely buy the game for their children regardless… right?). But one of the more recent titles that has undoubtedly caught my attention is that based on the iconic Indiana Jones franchise, with Bethesda Softworks / ZeniMax Media’s subsidiary MachineGames taking on not only adapting the franchise into an action-adventure game but crafting a brand new entry in the series set between 1981’s Raiders of the Lost Ark and 1989’s Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. While Microsoft’s acquisition of its parent company meant that Indiana Jones and the Great Circle was first released on PC and Xbox Series X|S in December, now in April, audiences on the PlayStation 5 finally have the opportunity to dive into this unique action-adventure experience. But was it worth the wait? Read on to find out!
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle delivers an original storyline that feels authentic to the series’ charm. The tale sees the titular protagonist pulled into an international hunt, after a mysterious artefact is stolen from the Vatican’s archives. In true Indiana Jones fashion, this simple premise branches out into something more complex. Players are, therefore, sent on a globe-trotting adventure from the jungles of South America to the markets of Cairo to the aforementioned Vatican City while embracing the archaeological intrigue and historical mystique that defined the character. While similar games may see players isolated to jungle biomes, there is a substantial variety of landmarks, vistas and locales to enjoy. Plus, although sometimes to a fault, there is a lot of nostalgia intertwined across all aspects of the game – with easter eggs, references, and charm to be found for long-term fans of the franchise, albeit not overwhelming enough for someone who may not have seen the earliest works.
Although the storyline in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is compelling, finer details sometimes feel a little paint-by-numbers, and would be deserving of a little more oomph. A few supporting characters, particularly Indy’s travelling companions, fall into familiar archetypes, leading to interactions that, while charming, can appear predictable. That said, as Indy is the focus point of the game, the script benefits from clever writing, and Harrison Ford’s likeness and spirit are so well captured that even when the plot falters slightly, Indy’s iconic personality and razor-sharp wit keep the adventure moving forward at a brisk, enjoyable pace.
Ultimately, concerning its narrative, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle succeeds not because it reinvents the Indiana Jones formula in game format but because it respects and celebrates it while incorporating a few innovations given the interactive storytelling medium. There is an earnestness to the storytelling that feels rare in modern blockbuster games. It provides more depth than its other modern luminaries, avoiding the grim self-seriousness that often shows in other comparable titles. Instead, players are treated to an experience with intense moments but brimming with heart, humour, and high-stakes excitement.
From the moment you step into the world of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, it is clear that MachineGames has poured care into its visual design, treating the IP with respect. Regardless of where you are in the game, environments are intricately detailed, with each setting feeling authentic and richly textured, with lighting effects, particle details, and weather patterns enhancing the atmosphere at every turn. The experience has a very cinematographic style, with the PlayStation 5 Pro enhancement striking a good balance between visual fidelity and frame rate. Visual fidelity remains consistent across the main campaign, with even the smallest objects and environmental storytelling elements crafted to a remarkably high standard.
Character models are similarly impressive, particularly Indiana Jones, who looks astonishingly close to his silver screen counterpart – even if the game being in a first-person perspective means you only see him in cutscenes. The recreation of Harrison Ford’s younger appearance is paired beautifully with animation work that captures the physicality and expressiveness of the character. Lip-syncing during cutscenes is also solid, if occasionally imperfect, but never enough to break immersion. Combined with excellent use of colour that varies between the sun-bleached ruins of Egypt and the humid greens of Southeast Asia and beyond, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle offers a consistently striking visual experience that draws players deep into its adventurous world.
Music is, for the most part, incredible. The music team has offered players a harmonious score which pays homage to John Williams’ original compositions. However, they don’t exclusively rest on selectively picking at another’s laurels. Composer Gordy Haab’s work is rich with orchestral moments that underscores the story’s action and exploration. But for those who are worried there is too little content on offer, classic melodies from the Indiana Jones films are sprinkled throughout, offering a pinch of nostalgia while not heavily leaning on standard le motifs.
The voice acting throughout Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is top-notch, delivering a performance suite that feels authentic to the world the game is based in. While I can imagine it is challenging to tackle such an iconic role held by the same actor for decades, Troy Baker’s portrayal of the titular character is a notable highlight. Supporting performances from Alessandra Mastronardi as Gina Lombardi and Marios Gavrilis as Emmerich Voss help flesh out the world, bringing each character to life vividly. Even minor roles are treated with care, bolstered by excellent localisation work that ensures regional dialects and languages are represented accurately and respectfully.
Like the film series, exploration and adventure are at the heart of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. As players progress through the narrative, they will find themselves exploring a series of semi-open world environments, each packed with secrets, side quests, and other puzzles that reward going beyond the beaten path and approaching each area with curiosity. Movement feels appropriately weighted, and the addition of Indy’s iconic whip is appropriately considered. The whip adds to the experience rather than feeling smushed into the game just because it is iconic of the character. It allows players to swing across gaps, scale walls, and interact with numerous hazards, puzzles, and ancient mechanisms scattered throughout the world.
Combat in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle initially appears to be your standard affair, which you might find in your Uncharted‘s and the like. However, there is more than enough to keep things familiar yet fresh. While firearms are present, they are often discouraged through scarcity of ammunition and the noise they attract. Instead, hand-to-hand combat and split-second improvisation are emphasised. With a satisfying melee system, Indy can pick up everyday objects to clobber foes. Brawls feel authentically chaotic, relying on blocking, dodging, and stamina management, giving encounters a sense of gritty, old-fashioned adventure.
Puzzles form another cornerstone of the gaming experience, with challenges and tasks thoughtfully woven throughout the narrative’s progression. There is nothing overly complex but also little that is boorishly easy, hitting that sweet spot. From deciphering ancient scripts to manipulating mechanical contraptions, the puzzles range from simple riddles to multi-layered challenges demanding observation and logic. Puzzle-solving is rarely intrusive, acting as a natural extension of the archaeological adventure underway.
Hand-in-hand with puzzle mechanics is often one of the greatest puzzles in games of this genre – stealth. Disguises play a vital role, allowing Indy to sneak past enemies by blending in, though officers and high-ranking soldiers can still see through the ruse if players aren’t careful. The emphasis on mindful movement and silent takedowns lends Indiana Jones and the Great Circle a Hitman-esque flair (although maybe not to the same extent), with multiple paths and methods available to complete objectives.
Beyond the main storyline, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle offers a wealth of side content. Fieldwork missions and other optional time spenders enrich the lore, leading to valuable rewards like Adventure Points and ability-enhancing Adventure Books. The game smartly avoids overwhelming players with endless checklists and collect-a-thons, instead embedding side activities organically into the environment. Coupled with a physical map system and a journal that tracks discoveries without overwhelming the player, the extra content and gameplay content are easy to bypass if you are in the game for the story but offer quite a few extra hours should you wish to 100% everything without too much tedium.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is a shining example of how to handle a movie franchise adaptation in the gaming space properly. It is not content to coast on nostalgia, nor is it a simple, mindless cash-grab of a recognisable IP. Instead, players are offered a robust, heartfelt, and entertaining adventure worthy of the Indiana Jones name. While a few rough edges exist, they are far outweighed by the sheer craftsmanship and passion evident in every aspect of the game. For those who grew up wary of movie tie-ins or who, like me, saw the genre as a mixed bag at best, this release is a welcome reminder that magic can happen when the proper studio is behind the whip. Furthermore, for PlayStation 5 players who have waited patiently, the wait has been more than worth it.
Final Score for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
This review of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle was conducted on a PlayStation 5 Pro retail unit, with a digital copy of the game provided by the game’s Australian PR team to facilitate this review.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is available now on the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC.
