I’ve savored every moment of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: The Order of Giants (and it reminds me why I want Wolfenstein 3)

2021 saw MachineGames, a seasoned group of Swedish developers, unveiling their upcoming project: an Indiana Jones game, overseen by Todd Howard in his role as executive producer for the thrilling escapade.

It seemed a match made in heaven, and indeed, it was.

I truly enjoyed playing Indiana Jones and the Great Circle last year, and it became my top pick among all games. The game skillfully blended MachineGames’ expertise in first-person combat and eradicating Nazis with intricately designed puzzles and an immersive sense of cinematic adventure that rivaled Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle was my favorite game of last year, offering a thrilling blend of MachineGames’ unique first-person combat style and Nazi elimination with cleverly crafted puzzles and an adventurous cinematic feel reminiscent of Raiders of the Lost Ark. I absolutely loved playing it!

Of course, my curiosity piqued about the upcoming DLC, this year the team unveiled ‘The Order of Giants’, where our hero Indiana Jones delves into the mysteries hidden within ancient Rome in pursuit of secrets connected to the legendary tales they bear.

After finishing The Order of Giants, I can confidently recommend it as a must-see, as it truly aligns with MachineGames’ high standards in the primary series – for the large part.

For writing a review on the Premium Edition of Indiana Jones and The Great Circle, we used the same copy that was given to us for our basic game review, which came from Bethesda. However, they had no role in the creation or editing of this specific review’s content.

What is Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: The Order of Giants?

The Order of Giants is an additional content pack for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, offering players new regions to discover, a fresh narrative to unravel, and additional content.

Category Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: The Order of Giants
Release date Sept. 4, 2025
Developer MachineGames
Publisher Bethesda Softworks
Genre First-person action-adventure
Players Single-player
Install size 13GB
Playtime 3.5 hours
Platforms Xbox Series X|S, PC, PS5
Xbox Game Pass No
Reviewed on Xbox Series X

Just like the primary version, this one has been created by MachineGames and released under Bethesda Softworks’ banner. It can be purchased on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and PlayStation 5 for $20. However, unlike the main game, it does not come as part of an Xbox Game Pass subscription package.

In the Premium Edition of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, the Order of Giants is additionally featured. So, those who purchased the pricier version of the game are already privy to this fresh tale.

In the remake of the initial game, The Order of Giants unfolds within the cityscape of Venice. Indiana Jones finds himself deviating from his primary mission to assist a talkative parrot-accompanied priest named Father Orlando Ricci on a separate task.

Afterward, events take a turn, and our fearless protagonist finds themselves delving into the abandoned structures beneath Rome, on a mission to uncover a mysterious cult believed to safeguard the enigmatic legacy of an old, Unnamed Crusader.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: The Order of Giants review — What I liked

Considering writing a brief review for this DLC, but it’s important to note that The Order of Giants largely resembles Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.

Initially thinking about penning a concise evaluation for this expansion pack, however, one must acknowledge that The Order of Giants carries a strong resemblance to Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.

This isn’t at all a negative aspect. In fact, I’m thrilled about the abundance of new challenges that await me! One specific puzzle in particular will undoubtedly linger in my memory even after completing this DLC. The content is rich with puzzles, and without giving away any spoilers, I must say that I admire how they intertwine with the themes of Roman and Crusader history.

The game remains visually captivating, and it’s delightful to catch glimpses of ancient Rome, offering an immersive experience filled with tangible layers of history to explore.

The Indiana Jones series explores ancient civilizations and mysterious realms in an engaging manner, delving into various archaeological sites or legends and adding realistic details along with formidable obstacles. It adds a unique twist by incorporating elements that challenge our perception of reality.

Indiana Jones portrays the adventures of exploring long-lost cultures and hidden worlds in an entertaining fashion, uncovering various archaeological ruins or myths while presenting them with believable facts and challenging perils. It also includes elements that push the boundaries of our understanding of reality.

Within The Order of Giants, I find myself immersed in a world where every detail seems meticulously crafted. Here, Troy Baker delivers another outstanding portrayal as the main character, leaving me in awe with his captivating performance.

MachineGames consistently displays an impressive grasp of cinematic approaches, as evidenced by some specific shots in certain scenes that appear as if they were taken straight from a fictional movie set during the time of the original trilogy.

The team’s knack for creative writing persists, and I often took the time to thoroughly search through every written piece I came across for hidden treasures. One standout find illuminated the practical aspects of managing a cult, offering a humorous insight into the food quantities required to cater themed banquets.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: The Order of Giants review — What I disliked

Although I’ve enjoyed my journey with The Order of Giants, there’s one significant aspect where it falls short. The villains in this tale don’t compare to the formidable opponents you encounter throughout the Great Circle.

The decision to battle cultists rather than fascists feels more playful, yet since you don’t have much time to develop their characters, they are not deeply explored in a manner that makes them seem menacing. Emmerich Voss and Locus have an immense presence that no other characters seem able to match.

Incidentally, I discovered that this DLC was slightly shorter than ideal for me, clocking in at roughly four hours to complete, though I expect to add an extra hour as I hunt down every last collectible. It’s preferable to avoiding being too lengthy, but nevertheless, a bit more content in Rome would have been enjoyable.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: The Order of Giants review — My final thoughts

✅You should buy this if …

  • You want even more of Indiana Jones.

As an analyst, I can’t help but seize the opportunity presented by The Order of Giants to delve back into the thrilling world of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. This fresh installment offers intriguing puzzles to unravel, captivating images to capture, and a friendly feline companion to keep me company along the way.

  • You played the base game through Xbox Game Pass

In other words, although Indiana Jones: The Great Circle is accessible via Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscriptions, you’ll still have to buy the additional DLC to experience the Roman adventure as it isn’t included in your subscription.

❌You should not buy this if …

  • You didn’t like Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

If you found Indiana Jones and The Great Circle unappealing for some reason, rest assured that this DLC won’t alter your feelings towards it. It essentially continues the same theme, offering additional puzzles, exploring ancient ruins stealthily, and engaging in combat using whatever items are at hand.

Essentially, if you enjoyed the blend of mystery and adventure found in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, then this new offering delivers a similar experience, albeit with a change of scenery and villains. While Indiana Jones tackles fascism at various global historical sites, this alternative presents you with cultists to combat within the backdrop of ancient Rome, along with more intricate puzzles to solve.

As I delved back into the thrilling world of MachineGames’ exceptional take on the globetrotting archaeologist extraordinaire in The Order of Giants, my passion for their craft was rekindled. It left me pondering about the exciting directions I hope they will explore next.

MachineGames studio head Jerk Gustafsson has hinted that they are still keen on developing Wolfenstein 3, and it seems noteworthy that a Wolfenstein TV series is rumored as well. I find myself in a dilemma between my affection for Indiana Jones adventures and an eagerness to witness BJ Blaskowicz’s conclusion in his trilogy.

It’s extremely improbable that Indiana Jones will have any significant impact on media beyond potential future projects by MachineGames. On the other hand, the raw violence and deep reflection presented in Wolfenstein: The New Order and The New Colossus are compelling enough for a re-examination, particularly during times such as these.

I’m torn, and I’m truly unsure what I’d prefer to see this talented studio do next.

Still, whatever it is, I’ll be there, and I’m sure there’ll be plenty of Nazis to kill.

You can find Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: The Order of Giants on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC via Steam and Xbox PC, as well as PlayStation 5. It will be available on Nintendo Switch 2 in 2026.

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2025-09-11 00:43