The Indiana Jones franchise may have fallen from grace somewhat over the last two decades or so, but it still holds a very special place in the hearts of fans around the world. Those who have grown up watching Indiana Jones probably know the first three movies back to front, and can likely quote all of the most iconic lines. Naturally, those fans would also be able to spot a ton of references in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.
From the moment players boot up Indiana Jones and the Great Circle for the first time and see its Raiders of the Lost Ark-referencing title screen, it becomes immediately clear that this was a passion project for developer MachineGames. From perfectly-implemented musical themes to witty one-liners, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle feels incredibly authentic. The game's bevy of references also help to cement its authenticity to the source material, such as an early Easter egg that directly ties to Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.
How Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Encourages Exploration
A good portion of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle's gameplay has fans exploring various open environments, and it encourages that exploration well.
How Indiana Jones and the Great Circle References The Last Crusade
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle's Father and Son Quest Explained
Towards the end of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle's Vatican level, players will unlock a Fieldwork side quest called "Nun in Trouble." This quest sees them team up with Gina Lombardi to help find her nun friend who's gone missing. After climbing the treacherous Borgia Tower and taking out the guard interrogating her, the nun gives Indy a key to a room halfway down the tower.
Entering this room presents players with a side quest titled "Father and Son," where players need to unlock a safe by using a Polybius Square to decipher a code hidden in a nearby poem. Unlocking this safe will reward the player with four collectibles, those being two photographs and two documents.
The two photographs show Indy discovering the ancient cat mummy in Siwa and talking to Antonio in his Vatican office, implying that someone has been spying on Indy for a few weeks. The two documents are even more juicy, suggesting that these spies aren't just interested in one Jones family member.
How Indiana Jones and the Great Circle's Father and Son Quest Links to The Last Crusade
While one of these documents, titled "Junior Report," revolves around the spies set on Indy, the other document, titled "Senior Report," suggests his father was also the subject of surveillance. Played by Sean Connery in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Henry Walton Jones Sr. Devotes his entire life to searching for the Holy Grail.
In this mysterious surveillance report, it's stated that Henry Jones Sr.'s research on the Holy Grail is not a threat to the "Reclamation Project," and as such, he's no longer a target. It's also mentioned that Henry Sr. And his son have been estranged for many years, meaning Indy probably won't drag him into his quest to find the ancient cat mummy that's been stolen from his college. After completing the Father and Son quest, Indy remarks "They were even spying on you, dad?"
With Indiana Jones and the Great Circle being set one year before the events of Last Crusade, this Easter egg is a really nice way to foreshadow the father and son's upcoming reunion.
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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
