Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: A great game with one flaw

4.0 out of 5 star rating

As a seasoned gamer and ardent follower of all things Indiana Jones, I must say that this game has truly transported me to the world of adventure I’ve always admired from afar. The first-person perspective immerses you so deeply into the action that it feels like I’m not just playing a game, but living the life of the legendary archaeologist himself.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle? More like Indiana Jones and the great game!

Nearly every aspect of this fresh Xbox and PC game seamlessly draws you into the universe and way of life depicted by the legendary Harrison Ford film character, making for a truly captivating experience.

To start off, I must clarify that Harrison Ford himself did not contribute to the development of this game, yet remarkably, it still feels as if it’s a fresh addition to the Indiana Jones saga.

Renowned video game actor Troy Baker, famous for his portrayal of Joel in The Last of Us series, gives an exceptional performance as Ford, perfectly mimicking Ford’s voice and demeanor. His portrayal is so convincing that it’s hard not to be fully immersed in the role.

As a movie enthusiast, I can’t help but marvel at the exceptional graphics in this production. The creators at MachineGames have truly gone above and beyond to ensure that Indy’s digital visage is spot on. Remarkably, there’s even a hint of a twinkle in his virtual eye, making him feel more lifelike than ever.

The game falls within the Indiana Jones movie chronology, situated between Raiders of the Lost Ark and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (not Last Crusade, I believe there’s a mix-up there). It takes place in 1937, which was relatively early during Adolf Hitler’s leadership as the German Führer.

The storyline is beautifully straightforward: When Indiana Jones uncovers a worldwide archaeological secret that could reveal an old power source, he hastens to gather essential artifacts before the wicked archaeologist Emmerich Voss can grab them for nefarious purposes.

This journey takes you on an iconic world tour, starting at the Vatican before moving on to the Pyramids of Giza, with several more stunning destinations yet to be discovered as the game progresses.

In every location, there are mysteries waiting to be solved, ranging from the primary narrative about unearthing artifacts to smaller tales involving distressed locals. It’s a clear indication that despite knowing I needed to hurry through this game to meet the deadline for my review, I found myself eager to complete all the side missions in each region too.

As I delve into this cinematic masterpiece, I’m consistently struck by the exceptional writing that imbues every scene with a deeply human touch. Whether it’s the grandiose global-threat narrative or seemingly trivial moments, this film’s script never fails to resonate on an emotional level. Moreover, when appropriate, the screenplay deftly injects humor to alleviate tension, lending authenticity to the overall tone of these films.

Accompanying Indy on his journey is Gina Lombardi, a reporter on the hunt for her lost sibling. Initially appearing to be a sultry woman masquerading as a nun, she evolves into a complex character with a substantial personal emotional journey.

Additionally, during the time between movies, the game delves deeper into Indy’s personal life, exploring his thoughts and emotions, as well as any remorse he might be holding onto at this stage.

Discussing Indy’s personal world, it’s significant to mention that you play the game primarily from his viewpoint (often referred to as the first-person perspective). At first glance, this design decision struck me as unconventional, considering Indy’s iconic outline is easily identifiable.

Within the game itself, it functions exceptionally well, much like the renowned GoldenEye N64 game. This particular title emphasizes the fact that you embody Indiana Jones. You’re not just playing him; you’re experiencing his thoughts, living his life, and performing actions that are typical of him.

At a certain point, this could involve discovering a fresh destination. The game employs an outstanding map system to provide you with a rough idea of the correct path, without explicitly detailing everything. The yellow target marker becomes visible only when you activate the map, and what’s more, you can traverse the location while keeping the map open. Alternatively, if you prefer to wander independently, feel free to do so without any restrictions.

At certain instances, Indiana Jones encounters a riddle. Initially, these are simple but eventually become more challenging. Should you require a hint, Indiana might provide some thoughtful remarks if you begin snapping pictures of the room’s objects. If, however, you prefer to figure it out independently, feel free to do so without any constraints.

At times, Indy may encounter situations where combat is imminent. The route to the artifact is protected by Nazis, and you’re given leeway to tackle this in your preferred manner. You might opt for a covert approach, but it could backfire unless extreme caution is exercised. If that happens, then it’s time for a fight.

In simpler terms, I found the fighting aspects of the game to be the only aspect that didn’t resonate with me. To put it another way, these action-oriented sequences were not something I was particularly fond of in this specific game. It appears that the creators intentionally opted against transforming this into a shooter-style game. Indiana Jones is more about adventure and puzzle-solving, unlike characters such as John Wick or Nathan Drake from Uncharted, who are often involved in intense combat sequences to reach their goals.

In this game, making this selection implies a restricted ammunition supply for your revolver. If you decide to fire these rounds, expect an imminent onslaught of adversaries that could quickly overpower you and reduce you to fragments with their gunfire.

The game doesn’t provide you with a long-lasting melee weapon; instead, it keeps you on the hunt for assorted objects to use as weapons – ranging from lead pipes, guitars, and even toilet brushes. Use these items sparingly to fend off some opponents, as each one can only be used for a limited number of attacks. Therefore, you’ll need to employ smart strategies when using them.

If you’re completely disarmed, you might find yourself resorting to hand-to-hand combat, a traditional form of fighting that I’ve always struggled with in first-person perspective. In this case, there’s blocking, dodging, pushing, and a stamina meter to consider, which can sometimes feel somewhat awkward and clumsy.

Considering Indiana Jones’ on-screen persona – a bit rough around the edges, grumpy, yet relatable rather than your typical muscular action hero, it’s clear what inspired the developers in their design. I appreciate their choices and understand their reasoning, but in terms of gameplay, the combat felt somewhat disjointed for me.

Certainly, you possess Indy’s famous whip, boasting a variety of advantages. In confrontations, it serves as a stun weapon against enemies. Moreover, it can aid in solving puzzles by pulling levers and similar objects. However, its true brilliance is showcased in platforming/traversal scenarios, where it’s employed for swinging and climbing. If you enjoyed the rope system in The Last of Us Part II, you’ll find this just as engaging!

It’s quite unusual that during climbing and swinging sequences in the game, the first-person perspective is interrupted. After all, who would enjoy colliding with a brick wall up close, and wouldn’t the sensation of first-person swinging across caverns be unsettling to one’s stomach?

As a cinephile immersed in this game, I must admit that during cut-scenes, the first-person perspective takes a backseat, allowing the game to fully showcase its narrative prowess. It’s as if I’ve stumbled upon an unseen Indy film reel, brimming with exceptional direction and high-stakes drama. There are moments of wit scattered throughout, but it never veers into the realm of slapstick absurdity.

In the cut-scenes, the actors’ performances really stand out and deliver impactful moments. Troy Baker does an outstanding job, eliciting sympathy and emotion for his character. Alessandra Mastronardi plays Gina wonderfully, offering a compelling contrast. Marios Gavrilis skillfully creates an unsettling atmosphere as Voss, while the late Tony Todd adds a chilling element to his mysterious role.

The game transports you into an authentic atmosphere of exploration, brimming with intriguing puzzles and genuine excitement that makes it hard to resist, much like how Indiana Jones might prefer it over his daily professorship duties.

The music is also great, carefully deploying those iconic themes at just the right moments, rather than overusing them throughout. It’s like you’re living a movie.

As a dedicated cinephile immersed in the world of gaming, let me tell you, this game boasts some breathtaking visuals that never fail to leave an impression. Each time I launch the game from its main menu, I find myself captivated by the stunning landscape where our hero, Indy, stands. There are moments when I feel a pang of regret for disturbing such a visually appealing setting.

During my playthrough, I experienced minor technical hiccups such as brief synchronization issues with dialogue and one instance where the villain’s voice was absent. Additionally, there were instances of frustration due to a somewhat complex system for selecting items and a momentary confusion on how to let go of an item during a fist fight.

This game is excellent, as the small issues didn’t really bother me too much. Even the combat, after I understood it, felt more like a matter of preference rather than a significant flaw.

Regardless if you’re deeply invested as an avid Indiana Jones fan or casually enjoy the character, I recommend trying out this game for an exciting journey. Trust me, it will not disappoint!

2024-12-06 04:05

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