Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
Review
Indy at his finest
by William Thompson
reviewed on PC
The Globetrotting Archeologist
From a movie standpoint, most people would agree that The Last Crusade was the peak of the series, with the two most recent editions into the franchise being lesser-likes to the three movies that came before. So, prior to the release of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, I had some trepidation about which of the two camps the game would fall into. However, after spending a massive chunk of time traipsing across the globe as Indy, I'm glad to say that Indiana Jones and the Great Circle feels more like an Indy movie than either of the two most recent editions to the series.
I'm not sure if it is because Indy himself is back to his physical prime or if it is due to the more relatable storyline - one that doesn't involve time travel or aliens. The Great Circle will have players globetrotting to different locations across the world, spending time at each historically significant destination to uncover further clues to the titular secret. Playing as the famous archeologist and armed with his trusty revolver, players will don the Fedora and crack his iconic whip as he takes on the Nazis to solve the puzzle of the Great Circle.
Whip it, whip it good
Indy's whip and a camera he collects early on, are the two main items in your inventory that players will use throughout the game. As mentioned, Indy does have his trusty revolver, but it will rarely be used, as the noise often attracts too much unwanted attention. I used it early on in one area and immediately regretted it, with guards seemingly coming out of the woodwork upon hearing it discharged. I put it away for the rest of the game and had less issues.
Having said that, I did pick up a machine gun at a later stage which came in handy. But even then I found that weapons are underpowered, taking several headshots to take down a foe when a couple of punches has the same effect. It is almost as if the developers are trying to make you head down a melee path. Considering you're playing as Indy...this is something that seems perfectly acceptable despite a stamina meter that quickly drains if you're taking on several guards at once.
However, The Great Circle is more about puzzle solving and exploration than it is about fighting Nazis. Sneaking around guards dressed in local guise is often the safer route through a location, and as you quietly explore your surroundings, you will come across notes and artifacts of significance. As well as those items, the photos that Indy takes with the camera will make their way into your journal. This journal is almost as important as Indy's whip, as it stores all the important information that will aid in your journey.
Authentic 1930s
Although Indy is the main protagonist, it could be said that the locations themselves are the main characters, each with historical significance of their own. The developers have done a wonderful job with the details, ensuring that the locations feel like they would have in the late 1930s. It is a joy to wander the local streets and interact with the locals, explore hidden chambers and hike through dense jungles. Each location feels alive with the local population that go about their daily business, thankful if you lend them a hand.
And it is not just the main story that will keep players entertained. It is very easy to get distracted with the side quests from the local inhabitants, particularly as doing so grants bonus Adventure points and hidden secrets. Each of the side quests (or Fieldwork as they're called in The Great Circle) are fully fleshed out in their own right, and I found that completing many of these smaller quests helped me in becoming more familiar with the historical settings. And if you're ever stuck on a puzzle, the game’s hint system of taking a photo of the current mystery is inventive in its own way, allowing the story to unfold in a more natural way.
Da-da-da-daaaa, da-da-daa
Indy can use various objects lying around to help with distracting or knocking out unsuspecting enemies, with each improvised weapon providing a satisfying clunk when whacked over the head of a guard. Each object has its own sound effects, so a shovel cracking a Nazi skull sounds different to that of a wooden club. Attackers can be disarmed or staggered with the use of Indy’s whip which has an authentic crack, often leaving them open for a counter-attacking wallop of your own, with punches and groans from both Indy and the foes adding to the realism. Indeed, the audio as a whole does a tremendous job of setting the tone in typical Indiana Jones style with the classic John Williams theme prominently playing in the background at various stages. The voice acting too, is spot on with Troy Baker superbly voicing Indiana Jones and Alessandra Mastronardi doing a wonderful job portraying Indy’s partner Gina Lombardi in her effort to find her sister, an expert in historical languages. Speaking of languages, the game often has characters speaking in their native tongue, further adding to the authenticity.
The sequel we all wanted
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is a love letter to the original trilogy. The game portrays the famed archeologist in the same way that the earlier three movies did - as an inquisitive treasure hunter who is often butting heads (both figuratively and literally) with the Nazis. The trademark Indiana Jones ingenuity is prevalent, whether it is using his trusty whip to get from one ledge to another, or using scattered objects to distract or incapacitate those that stand in his way. Most of the puzzles provide a challenge and the upgrade system requiring Adventure Points to open up the skill books encourages players to explore further. The homage to the movies goes even further with the iconic red line moving across the sepia world map indicating the flight pattern as he travels from one location to the next along with the signature score from John Williams. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is the sequel to the movies that fans of the original trilogy wanted.
As always, follow Hooked Gamers on Instagram for news updates, reviews, competitions and more.
9.2
fun score
Pros
Classic Indiana Jones storyline
Cons
Underpowered weapons
