Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

Presentation

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is a single-player first-person adventure set in 1937, between the events of Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Last Crusade. Indiana Jones leaves Marshall College after the theft of an artifact and begins an investigation that takes him across several regions of the world.

The adventure alternates between more linear narrative sequences and large open areas to explore. The Vatican, Giza and Sukhothai can be explored in search of main objectives, optional mysteries, documents and hidden passages.

Puzzles play an important role. Ancient mechanisms, inscriptions, codes and environmental clues regularly require careful observation and consultation of Indy's journal rather than relying solely on combat to progress.

The camera supports this exploration. Photographing certain elements helps document discoveries, uncover new information and, when needed, provide hints for solving particular puzzles.

Indiana Jones's famous whip serves as both a traversal tool and a weapon. It can be used to cross obstacles, swing over gaps, climb certain surfaces and disarm or distract enemies.

Combat largely emphasizes hand-to-hand fighting. Indy can use his fists, block attacks and pick up different objects from the environment as improvised weapons. His revolver remains available, but firearms are not the only way to handle a situation.

Stealth provides another option. Players can avoid certain encounters, distract guards, perform quiet takedowns or use disguises to access areas that would otherwise be restricted.

Progression is built in part around Adventure Books found throughout the world. They unlock new abilities that can then be activated using points earned through main missions, side activities and discoveries.

The journal gathers maps, photographs, documents and clues connected to the different mysteries. Some regions can also be revisited in order to complete activities left unfinished during a previous visit.

Key points

• A single-player adventure primarily played in first person.
• A story set in 1937 between Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Last Crusade.
• An investigation centered on ancient sites forming the mysterious Great Circle.
• A mix of narrative sequences and large open areas.
• Puzzles playing a central role in exploration.
• A camera used to document discoveries and obtain hints.
• The whip used for combat, disarming and traversal.
• Combat focused largely on hand-to-hand fighting and improvisation.
• Multiple stealth and disguise options.
• Adventure Books used to unlock new abilities.
• Optional activities and mysteries spread across the different regions.

Conclusion

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle builds its adventure around exploration, observation and mystery solving rather than turning the experience into a pure action game.

The whip directly connects traversal and combat, while stealth, disguises and environmental objects provide several ways to move through areas occupied by enemies.

The alternation between open regions, more directed sequences and puzzles therefore reflects the different sides of Indiana Jones: archaeologist, explorer and adventurer, relying on both intelligence and physical ability.

Good to know

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle was developed by MachineGames in collaboration with Lucasfilm Games and published by Bethesda Softworks.

The game was released on December 9, 2024 for Xbox Series X|S and PC.

A PlayStation 5 version followed on April 17, 2025.

The Nintendo Switch 2 version was released on May 12, 2026. It notably supports mouse controls and motion-based input specific to the platform.

In French, the game is officially marketed under the title Indiana Jones et le Cercle Ancien.

The narrative expansion The Order of Giants was released on September 4, 2025. Set during the events of the main campaign, it sends Indy on a new investigation in Rome connected to the Order of Giants.

This expansion remains separate from the base game. Later updates also added additional content, including a New Game+ mode.

The game is a single-player experience.

This entry focuses on the main campaign, exploration, puzzles, stealth and the core systems of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, without integrating the content of The Order of Giants into the base game.