Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: The Order of the Giants DLC Review – More Indy, Less Innovation

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Evaluating an expansion pack independently from the original game can be challenging, especially when they share numerous similarities. Yet, when this is just one of a few minor issues I encounter during my playthrough, it suggests that the overall experience is mostly positive.

The Giants’ Order Revives Indiana Jones for More Thrilling Adventures and Treasure Hunts, Complete with His Iconic Whip and Hat. This resurrection effectively reintroduces all the appealing elements from the original game, yet may not offer enough unique aspects to distinguish itself.

In essence, it remains an outstanding journey, and there’s a high likelihood that many new gamers will give it a try. It could also serve as an attractive choice for veterans seeking some weekend entertainment.

Troy Baker’s portrayal of Indiana Jones remains captivating throughout this compact adventure. A new character added to the storyline keeps things engaging. Primarily, you’ll be playing as Indy on a quest to find three parts of a cylinder, rumored to unlock doors leading to an ancient society. The plot has familiar twists that act as catalysts for Indy’s journey to Rome, where he uncovers secrets related to the mysterious order.

As a dedicated gamer, diving into The Order of the Giants feels just like stepping into a thrilling Indiana Jones adventure – immersive, thoughtfully designed, and brimming with excitement! Traversing through ancient tombs or MachineGames’ breathtaking recreation of Rome is an absolute delight. And let me tell you, the buttery-smooth frame rate on my PlayStation 5 was a game-changer – no dropped frames, stutter, or pop-in marred my adventure whatsoever. To top it all off, the visuals are nothing short of stunning!

Discovering the ancient tombs or MachineGames’ stunning interpretation of Rome was a breathtaking experience, and playing it on my PS5 offered an exceptionally smooth gameplay.

In simpler terms, the additional content (DLC) provides a fresh mission for you if you’ve already finished the main game. Indiana Jones is assigned to explore an ancient group mentioned earlier. Although it was engaging overall, I think the experience could have been extended to offer a longer adventure. It took me approximately 6-7 hours to finish, not including the challenging puzzles that are part of Indy’s latest assignment!

To unlock every third section of the cylinder, Indy must unearth the Secret of the Giants and crack a series of intricately crafted riddles. The initial one I met gave me quite a challenge; I invested almost two hours before recognizing that an obvious, straightforward answer was right there, gazing back at me all the while. It was a mix of irritation and amusement for me then, but it does highlight how the creators have elevated their earlier work in this aspect.

This particular puzzle stands out as particularly noteworthy due to its ability to encapsulate all the game’s best elements into a single conundrum that demands both strategic thinking and nimble reflexes. While I won’t delve too deeply into spoilers, let me say this: It was incredibly straightforward to decipher, but carrying out the solution proved immensely challenging. There were numerous attempts required before finally cracking it after almost three hours of relentless effort!


 

As a seasoned gamer, I’ve got to say, diving into “The Order of the Giants” feels like stepping right into an epic Indiana Jones adventure. It’s a thrilling journey, meticulously crafted to immerse you completely!

Subsequently, a few more puzzles were relatively simple yet thoughtfully constructed and presented. It seems as though these puzzles were intentionally integrated into the experience, guiding you from one to another with intermittent dialogue. This rhythm maintains your engagement in the adventure while offering you various obstacles to overcome.

If I could make a suggestion for the developers, it would be to incorporate more complex combat scenarios into the game, as the current combat system remains identical to the one in the original version. The missions involve confronting Nazis who are defending strategic locations or examining events triggered by Indiana Jones, alongside some members of the secret cult he’s investigating.

Regardless of the highest level, fighting primarily involves blocking enemy attacks and counterattacking using Indiana Jones’ fists or weapons grabbed from the surroundings. The whip is particularly effective against groups of adversaries, and I seldom needed to use my handgun.

In those infrequent moments when I found myself knocked down, a nifty advantage from the original game enabled me to grab my fedora, restoring Indiana Jones’ vigor with a dashing smirk that seemed somewhat odd given the brutal beating he had received mere seconds ago. It was slightly disconcerting, yet considering it spared me any repercussions for some ill-timed blocks, I can’t really argue with it.


 

In even the toughest settings, combat essentially involves dodging enemy assaults and counterattacking using Indiana’s fists or any weapons you find lying around.

In simpler terms, while I believe the DLC is mostly impressive, it seems unfortunate that there are no further enhancements made to the combat loop – a notable absence. Though fresh side quests do appear throughout, they don’t compare to the intrigue of seeking the Order of the Giants. Nonetheless, the climactic boss fight at the end is truly epic and memorable.

If you’ve previously enjoyed “Indiana Jones and the Great Circle“, prepare for more captivating cinematic quality and an immersive setting in its DLC. Newcomers to Bethesda and MachineGames’ rendition of the iconic character can anticipate a delightful experience.

Is The Order of the Giants a good investment of your time and resources? I believe so, and that’s particularly true if you haven’t played the base game yet. Acquiring both games offers a unique take on Indiana Jones that you won’t find anywhere else, making it a worthwhile experience.

The DLC is designed in a way that you don’t need to have finished the main game to access it. The initial chapters leading up to the DLC are effective at introducing and explaining its mechanics for newcomers. It’s very probable that you’ll finish the entire experience once you complete the DLC, given its length.

The Order of the Giants” is an admirable complement to “The Great Circle,” even though it offers more of the same high-quality content. Such consistency in a game of this caliber is indeed favorable.

This game was reviewed on the PlayStation 5.

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2025-09-11 19:44