From the very first crack of the whip to the final unraveling of a world-shaking mystery, “Indiana Jones and the Great Circle” swept me off my feet and straight into the fedora of the world’s most iconic archaeologist. I went into this one with high hopes and more than a little curiosity, after all, MachineGames knows how to tell a gripping story (especially ones including Nazi’s like the “Wolfenstein” series). Originally released last December on PC and Xbox, the initial reviews had me elated that this licensed game has some real accolades to it. With its recent release on PS5 and a hefty 125GB+ install size, I was finally ready to jump in. And boy, I wasn’t expecting to feel like I had just played through a lost Indy film that I somehow never saw growing up.
Set in 1937, nestled snugly between the events of “Raiders of the Lost Ark” and “The Last Crusade,” this game wastes no time in throwing you headfirst into danger, mystery, and globe-trotting adventure. What starts with a seemingly minor break-in at Marshall College snowballs into a high-stakes chase across continents, from the hallowed halls of the Vatican to the wind-swept sands of Egypt, and even into the hauntingly beautiful sunken temples of Sukhothai. The sense of scale is absolutely massive, and every location is dripping with atmosphere, lore, and that pulpy cinematic flair that made the films so legendary. Controlling Indy in first-person seemed like a strange choice at first (since I would like to see Indy on screen) but it felt surprisingly natural. It’s an interesting creative choice, especially considering how well-known the character’s visual identity is, but MachineGames nailed the execution. The perspective shift pulls you right into the moment, making each fistfight and narrow escape all the more immersive. When the camera does pan out for certain sequences, like interacting with the environment or solving puzzles, it’s done smoothly and with purpose, never pulling you out of the adventure.
The whip, of course, steals the spotlight. It’s not just for cracking bad guys across the face (though, yes, that is immensely satisfying). It’s a traversal tool, a distraction device, and occasionally the only thing standing between you and a pit of deadly spikes. I was genuinely impressed with how fluidly it integrated into both combat and exploration. Swinging across a ravine to land silently behind a patrolling guard before using the whip to pull an ancient lever? Pure Indy magic. There are enough cut scenes and moments where Indy interacts with the areas that my worries of never seeing the star on screen quickly faded away.
The game walks a fine line between linear storytelling and open-area exploration, and it handles that balance with finesse. One minute, I was sneaking through a Nazi-occupied monastery, praying the AI wouldn’t turn around at the wrong moment, and the next I was scouring a ruined temple for clues, scrawled notes, and hidden passages. While the enemy AI doesn’t always pose much of a challenge, the level design kept me invested. There’s an undeniable thrill in combing through every nook and cranny, not just for collectibles, but for that feeling of slowly uncovering something ancient and powerful. Puzzles are plentiful, and while they rarely veer into brain-breaking territory, they’re thematically on point and serve as solid pacing breaks between action beats. The mix of deciphering ancient scripts, manipulating environmental contraptions, and aligning celestial markers scratched just the right itch for me. There’s something so satisfying about solving a riddle and hearing that distant rumble of stone mechanisms shifting into place.
Voice acting across the board is top-tier. While Troy Baker had some big boots to fill stepping into the role of Indy, I genuinely think he nailed it. He channels just enough of Harrison Ford’s charm, wit, and gruffness without ever veering into imitation territory. Tony Todd, as the menacing villain Lucas, delivers one of his final performances with gravitas and an ominous presence that lingers long after you’ve left his scenes behind. It’s a tragic loss, but what a legacy to leave behind. I also have to shout out the cinematic mode, it’s a simple addition, but switching to a widescreen aspect ratio makes the game feel even more like a movie. It’s a clever touch that really deepened the immersion and reminded me, constantly, that I wasn’t just playing a game, I was living out an adventure.
There are a few missteps here and there. Inventory management could be snappier, and I found myself occasionally wrestling with item selection in the heat of combat. The AI, while serviceable, sometimes lacks the awareness you’d expect from soldiers trying to stop Indiana Jones himself. But those are relatively minor issues when the rest of the experience feels so robust, so lovingly crafted, and so authentically Indy. At its heart, “Indiana Jones and the Great Circle” is a love letter to fans of the franchise. It’s cinematic, pulpy, clever, and full of the kinds of moments that make you want to grab a notebook and scribble down clues just in case. From puzzle-solving in ancient ruins to sneaking through candlelit catacombs, the game captures everything I adore about Indiana Jones, and gives it the modern gameplay polish it deserves. If you’ve ever dreamed of stepping into Indy’s worn leather boots, this is your call to adventure. And trust me: you won’t want to miss it.
9/10
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Related: Reviews by Nick Navarro
Gaming since I was given an original Nintendo as a kid. I love great storytelling and unique ingenuity. When both collide in a single game, I'm a happy gamer. Twitter/IG @NickNavarro87
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