Intro and Gameplay
I absolutely love everything Indiana Jones pre-2008 when Kingdom of the Crystal Skull made me question everything I knew about cinema. The film trilogy, the Disney ride, and games like Fate of Atlantis, just all the fond memories I have of and adore greatly were quickly thrust into question. A lot has happened since then but to say I was hesitant going into Indiana Jones and the Great Circle would be quite the understatement.
All that melted away in the opening scenes of this incredible adventure and as the hours went on, though not perfect, I was sold more and more about how wonderful this game and production is as a whole. The care and passion on display are second to none. The presentation is stellar from top to bottom and even though some climbing elements are a bit janky, as a whole, melee, whip, and other combat are stellar. Exploration and puzzles are satisfying and most of all, this feels like classic Indy which is the best compliment I could give.
The story is also fantastic and a wonderful mix of religious themes that hearken back to the Last Crusade but also huge nods to Raiders as well. This is how you create a perfect mix of both classic and new Indy!
Graphics and Sound
Immediately I was stunned by the graphics, animations, textures, and just sheer quality in the presentation of this game. As you can see from the raw screenshots and video in this review, this is one of the most gorgeous games of the year. I am not exaggerating when I took hundreds of screenshots in just the first few hours of the game. From dark crypts to brightly lit churches to steamy jungles, be ready for constant eye candy with a ton of graphical options and upscaling, especially on PC.
Along with the visuals, the audio is equally stunning with voice acting, sound effects, and a musical score that should win awards right and left. I am floored at just how good Troy Baker is as Indiana and the rest of the cast is equally impressive. Overall, Indy is an audiovisual tour de force.
Feedback and Verdict
As I mentioned a bit of jank before, it’s odd that some of the climbing animations and interactions feel and look so clunky in an otherwise stunning game. Everything looks and sounds so good overall, it was even more jarring to see a climbing animation straight out of Infernal Machine era but that is a small nitpick in an otherwise impressive package. Some of the mapping and exploration of restricted areas could use a bit of work as well as I wasn’t sure whether to stick to the main path or explore more in certain areas.
Going back to the beginning, I expected very little from The Great Circle but came away playing one of the biggest surprises of 2024. If you like anything Indiana Jones, you are gonna love this game. If you love anything Indiana Jones, this is your Indy gaming dream come true.
