Animals have been represented in the medium of gaming in one way or another since its very inception. From mounts that players use to traverse large open-worlds, to anthropomorphized companions in fantasy RPGs, to adorable creatures that can be captured and collected, animals are a constant part of the gaming world, and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle has its own menagerie of beasts.
The Indiana Jones franchise has given the spotlight to a few different animals over the years, often being used to transport the movie's cast from one location to the next, and occasionally being used to deliver a few moments of levity. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle has plenty of memorable moments relating to animals, but some of its most important revolve around the game's dogs, which could set a new precedent for stealth games in general.
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Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Is a Breath of Fresh Air for Animal Lovers
Stealth Games Frequently Ask The Impossible From Animal Lovers
For a few decades now, dogs have been frequently used as an enemy type in video games. This is especially prevalent in the stealth genre, with dogs often being used to increase the challenge of certain sequences, as their heightened senses can detect the player more efficiently and their animalistic method of attack can intimidate players into making mistakes.
In stealth games, there are usually only two ways to deal with a canine threat. One is to completely avoid their AI pathing, which is much easier said than done in some games, especially when on higher difficulties. The other option is to eliminate the threat altogether, which is always pretty devastating for animal lovers. That pain is exacerbated when games use authentic sound effects, such as the dog whimpering noises in the recently released STALKER 2.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Doesn't Let You Kill The Dogs
But Indiana Jones and the Great Circle offers a refreshing compromise. Guard dogs are introduced very early on in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle's campaign, and much like in other stealth games, their heightened senses are used to increase the challenge of some sneaking sequences.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle still gives its players two choices when it comes to dogs, but one is quite different from the norm. If players can't avoid a dog's detection in Indy, they need to eliminate the threat. But rather than harm the dog, players simply need to crack Indy's whip or fire his gun into the air, scaring the dog into fleeing. This is a great compromise that offers an increased challenge while letting animal lovers breathe a bit easier, and it feels like an authentic part of the game's universe as Indy's weapons of choice are integrated well.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle's choice to not let players harm animals is actually grounded in series lore, as Indy is shown to be a fan of dogs in the movies. After all, he named himself after his childhood dog.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Has Some Fun Cat Representation
Dogs aren't the only ones who get love in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, however. Cats also make a few appearances throughout the game's runtime, often lounging in absurd hard-to-reach spots like the very top of a building or on top of some scaffolding. When trying to take a picture of Indy's cats with the in-game camera, the adorable little guys even strike a few subtle poses.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 87 /100 Critics Rec: 94%
- Released
- December 9, 2024
- ESRB
- T For Teen // Blood and Gore, Drug Reference, Mild Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- MachineGames
- Publisher(s)
- Bethesda
- Engine
- id Tech 7
- Franchise
- Indiana Jones
- Number of Players
- 1
WHERE TO PLAY
Uncover one of history’s greatest mysteries in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, a first-person, single-player adventure set between the events of Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Last Crusade. The year is 1937, sinister forces are scouring the globe for the secret to an ancient power connected to the Great Circle, and only one person can stop them - Indiana Jones™. You’ll become the legendary archaeologist in this cinematic action-adventure game from MachineGames, the award-winning studio behind the recent Wolfenstein series, and executive produced by Hall of Fame game designer Todd Howard.
YOU ARE INDIANA JONES
Live the adventure as Indy in a thrilling story full of exploration, immersive action, and intriguing puzzles. As the brilliant archaeologist – famed for his keen intellect, cunning resourcefulness, and trademark humor – you will travel the world in a race against enemy forces to discover the secrets to one of the greatest mysteries of all time.
A WORLD OF MYSTERY AWAITS
Travel from the halls of Marshall College to the heart of the Vatican, the pyramids of Egypt, the sunken temples of Sukhothai, and beyond. When a break-in in the dead of night ends in a confrontation with a mysterious colossal man, you must set out to discover the world-shattering secret behind the theft of a seemingly unimportant artifact. Forging new alliances and facing familiar enemies, you’ll engage with intriguing characters, use guile and wits to solve ancient riddles, and survive intense set-pieces.
WHIP-CRACKING ACTION
Indiana’s trademark whip remains at the heart of his gear and can be used to distract, disarm, and attack enemies. But the whip isn’t just a weapon, it’s Indy’s most valuable tool for navigating the environment. Swing over unsuspecting patrols and scale walls as you make your way through a striking world. Combine stealth infiltration, melee combat, and gunplay to combat the enemy threat and unravel the mystery.
THE SPIRIT OF DISCOVERY
Venture through a dynamic mix of linear, narrative-driven gameplay and open-area maps. Indulge your inner explorer and unearth a world of fascinating secrets, deadly traps,and fiendish puzzles, where anything could potentially hide the next piece of the mystery – or snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Unknown
- PC Release Date
- December 9, 2024
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
- December 9, 2024
- PS5 Release Date
- April 17, 2025
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- X|S Optimized
- Yes
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
