A Cinematic Opening Straight Out of Raiders

If you’ve ever wanted to feel like Indiana Jones without risking your life in a booby-trapped temple, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is the game for you. Right from the start, the game throws you into a dream sequence that mirrors Raiders of the Lost Ark almost scene for scene. That moment when you see Indy in that iconic boulder chase had me grinning like I’d just discovered a hidden treasure.

A Comparison of the Golden Idol Swapping Scene in Raiders of the Lost Ark (Film) and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle (Game)

A True Indiana Jones Experience

What makes this game so special is that it genuinely captures the essence of an Indiana Jones movie. You’re solving puzzles, exploring mysterious ruins, and (of course) punching Nazis. Whether you’re navigating ancient tombs or chasing clues across exotic locations, the sense of discovery is ever-present.

Gameplay Shot of the Melee Combat

The pacing is a perfect blend of slow, methodical moments that make you feel like an archaeologist uncovering history, before being plunged into heart-stopping action. Whether it’s narrowly escaping booby traps or sprinting through collapsing ruins that seem more perilous than a temple’s secret chamber, there’s always something to keep you on your toes. The side quests also add another layer of excitement, offering extra challenges and rewarding exploration. And the set pieces? They’re as over-the-top as you’d expect from an Indy adventure, with explosions, daring escapes, and a level of action that’ll have you wondering if you’ve somehow stumbled into one of his films.

Customisable Challenges and Intuitive Tools

One of the game’s standout features lies in its finely tuned mechanics, which strike a balance between accessibility and challenge. The adjustable puzzle difficulty settings are a masterstroke, ensuring that players can tailor the experience to suit their tastes. Whether you’re a casual explorer looking for light riddles or a seasoned adventurer eager to decipher ancient texts and solve multi-layered puzzles, the game delivers. It’s a level of customisation that feels as thoughtful as the puzzles themselves.

Difficulty Options: Light and Moderate as Adventure Experience

Then there’s the whip, an iconic tool that feels like an extension of Indy’s personality. The intuitive gameplay design makes it a joy to use, whether you’re swinging across chasms, disarming foes, or triggering hidden mechanisms. It’s incredibly useful for navigating the world, helping you scale walls, swing over gaps, and even reach otherwise inaccessible areas. The whip’s versatility in both combat and exploration adds an extra layer of depth to the gameplay, making it as satisfying to master as it is to use.

Meaningful Exploration and Rewarding Upgrades

The game also encourages curiosity and exploration through its engaging upgrade system, which is tied to collectible books scattered throughout the world. As you discover these rare tomes, they unlock various abilities and enhancements, from boosting your combat skills to improving your durability in tough situations. This system adds an extra layer of depth to exploration, ensuring that every hidden find feels rewarding and meaningful.

An Adventure Book That Enhances Your Skills

Where Adventure Meets Frustration

As thrilling as Indiana Jones’ adventures are, the game isn’t without its pitfalls, some of which feel more like stepping on a rake than a pressure plate. Chief among them is the occasionally unpolished HUD and inventory system. Picture this: you’re in the middle of a frantic escape, low on health, desperately thumbing the d-pad to pull out a bandage, and… you end up holding a baguette instead. While amusing the first time, this quirk quickly loses its charm when Indy’s animations can’t keep up with player inputs, causing mismatched inventory selections. It’s a frustrating bug that’s left many players, quite literally, dead on their feet.

Combine that with the occasional journal entries that disappear into the void whilst showing on your map, and you’ve got a recipe for some hair-pulling moments. For completionists, these issues, particularly those affecting collectibles and achievements, can feel like being thrown into a pit of snakes with no torch in sight. With a little polish, these rough edges could be smoothed into a truly golden idol of a gaming experience.

Final Thoughts: A Treasure Worth Uncovering

For fans of the franchise and newcomers alike, this is a game worth exploring. With a little polish, it has the potential to be an enduring classic, a true artifact of gaming history. Until then, grab your whip, put on your fedora, and prepare to lose yourself in an adventure that feels like it belongs in a museum.

After 46.5 hours of playtime and unlocking 45/45 achievements on Xbox Series X, I’ve reached 100% completion (ignoring some pesky bugs). I can confidently say this game is a must-play and deserves a flawless 4.5/5 golden idols. I’m eagerly awaiting the DLC expected in Spring 2025, and I’ll definitely be back for more.