When Indiana Jones and The Great Circle launched in 2024, it became one of the year’s biggest surprises. MachineGames delivered a game that felt more like authentic Indiana Jones than recent films, with cinematic combat, whip-swinging traversal, and some of the best puzzles in modern adventure gaming. On top of that, Troy Baker delivered a fresh but faithful performance as Indy. The Great Circle was actually the first game I ever reviewed, so returning to this world with The Order of Giants carries a special sense of excitement.

Now comes The Order of Giants, the game’s first story-driven DLC. Set beneath the streets of Vatican City, it promises a new Roman mystery with underground exploration, puzzles, and more time to step into Indy’s iconic fedora. But with a £17.99 price tag, the question is: does this expansion deliver enough content and quality to justify the cost, or is it just a bite-sized detour that feels more like leftover content?

A Compact Roman Detour

The Order of Giants starts in Vatican City, sending Indy into the hidden tunnels, catacombs, and ancient ruins beneath Rome. Across roughly four to five hours, you’ll encounter a series of atmospheric locations that feel steeped in history and fully aligned with the classic Indiana Jones vibe. The adventure is focused and self-contained, providing a satisfying return to Indy’s world while exploring a new mystery.

Figure 1: The Starting Location/Quest Giver of “The Order of Giants” DLC
Image Source: The Order of Giants DLC Walkthrough

That said, if you were expecting to roam the bustling streets of Rome, you’ll be disappointed. The DLC is almost entirely underground, in sewers, crypts, and tombs. While these areas are well-crafted and atmospheric, the lack of open-air Roman exploration makes it feel more confined and claustrophobic compared to the sprawling, globe-trotting locations of the base game. For players craving wide streets and city vistas, this is a key limitation.

Story: Enjoyable but Lightweight

The storytelling is fun and unmistakably Indy. Snappy dialogue, pulp-style intrigue, and Troy Baker’s charismatic performance carry the adventure well. New supporting characters add charm and depth, and the premise of uncovering hidden secrets beneath Rome keeps the narrative engaging. For fans of classic Indy tales, it’s a satisfying little journey.

However, it’s clearly a side story, not a main narrative expansion. The stakes are lower, the mysteries don’t affect the main game, and the revelations feel minor compared to the grand arcs of The Great Circle. While entertaining, this DLC is best thought of as a bonus adventure rather than an essential continuation of the story.

Gameplay: Familiar, But Too Safe

Mechanically, the DLC sticks to what already worked in the base game. Whip-swinging, platforming, and classic Indy combat all return. Simply being back in Indy’s boots is inherently fun, and the game’s core systems remain satisfying.

There are two new skill books included in the DLC, which initially seem like a chance to expand Indy’s abilities. In practice, however, they don’t meaningfully change gameplay, and the core combat and traversal feel almost identical to the base game. Additionally, there are no new costumes, and the single new weapon only appears briefly during the finale.

Combat encounters are sparse and often too easy thanks to your existing upgrades. While still fun, the gameplay remains safe, predictable, and less dynamic, relying heavily on the mechanics you’ve already mastered.

Puzzles: The Real Treasure

Where the DLC truly shines is in its puzzle design. Clever, varied, and rewarding, these puzzles provide a challenge without becoming frustrating. From timed sequences to logic-based multi-step challenges, the puzzles feel fresh and inventive. A standout example is the statue puzzle, which tests your ability to think quickly and strategically under pressure.

Figure 2: A glimpse at the underground statue puzzle
Image Source: https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2025/08/21/indiana-jones-great-circle-order-of-giants-dlc-first-hands-on-preview-gamescom/

Unlike other expansions that recycle content, The Order of Giants offers completely new puzzles, giving the DLC its own identity. Fans of the base game’s problem-solving sections will feel right at home, and the puzzles alone make the journey worthwhile. For those less interested in puzzles, the focus here may feel heavier than expected, but they remain the DLC’s biggest highlight.

Conclusion: Worth It for Puzzle Fans, But Not Essential

At £17.99, The Order of Giants is a solid, self-contained expansion. It offers around five hours of gameplay, excellent puzzles, and another chance to step back into Indy’s iconic world. For fans who enjoyed the base game and its exploration and mystery elements, it’s an easy recommendation.

However, it’s a side chapter, not a main story expansion. Its lightweight narrative, confined underground setting, and lack of new gameplay mechanics make it feel smaller in scale than The Great Circle. While returning to the world of Indy is always fun, especially after reviewing the base game for the first time, this DLC is worth it mostly for fans and puzzle lovers, rather than a must-buy for everyone.

Rating: 2.5/5
Playtime: 5 Hours
Achievements: 10/10