Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Nails the Spirit of an ’80s-Era Indy Adventure – Preview

As a seasoned adventurer who’s traversed the uncharted jungles of Peru and braved the treacherous caves of Nepal, I must say that Indiana Jones and the Great Circle has piqued my interest. The first-person perspective adds a fresh twist to the classic Indy formula, making each punch-up and puzzle-solving session feel like a thrilling adventure straight out of a Hollywood blockbuster.

Indiana Jones is the quintessential matinee hero. His shadow, with the outline of that fedora and bullwhip hanging at his side, is iconic. Developer MachineGames knows this well, and, boasting ample Nazi-bashing experience with the Wolfenstein games, the studio is the perfect choice for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. And while misgivings about the first-person perspective may be understandable, you needn’t worry. It works, and based upon a few hours of hands-on time with the game, we can say that it works exceedingly well.

Kicking off this adventure-action game, developed by MachineGames, where the ‘adventure’ takes center stage, Indiana Jones encounters an intimidating intruder at Marshall College. A towering figure, portrayed by Tony Todd from Candyman, this intruder isn’t pleased when asked to depart by the professor, who is dressed in his academic garb – a dusty grey suit, glasses, but no fedora. Given the outcome of their ensuing scuffle, it’s clear that Indiana Jones doesn’t fare well against him.

Examining the chaos following the fight, Indy and his loyal friend Marcus discover that something valuable has vanished. Since the giant figure abandoned his medallion during his hurried departure, it’s clear that an adventure awaits – time to travel to the Vatican to find him. Upon our arrival, after a brief interlude showing a red line on an old map, we encounter a guard as we attempt to climb the castle tower and connect with Indy’s contact. A skirmish is likely unless you can contrive a diversion. You might prefer a covert method, hurling objects to distract a guard, but if there’s one henchman in a courtyard, sometimes forcefully dealing with them is the most efficient solution.

It turns out that Dr. Jones has quite a knack for getting into fights. You can execute left and right punches by using the left and right triggers respectively, keeping them pressed for a more powerful ‘thwack’, just like in the classic Indiana Jones movies. The left bumper allows Indy to block enemy attacks, while tapping it at the right moment can counter an attack, leaving the enemy vulnerable. The whip is controlled by the right bumper and can be used to give bad guys a tough time or catch them off guard by tripping them up. However, using the whip strategically, such as disarming enemies or navigating environments, is more effective. It’s a fantastic gameplay experience.

As thrilling as it might be to emulate Indiana Jones by whipping out a gun and taking down an adversary like in Raiders of the Lost Ark, it’s often wiser to steer clear of physical confrontations. Unsheathing Indy’s weapon is more of a last resort, because engaging in a shootout can lead to a premature demise, and also attract every nearby soldier. In such dire circumstances, Indy may not stand much of a chance against the hail of bullets – he’d meet his end as swiftly as anyone else in a similar predicament. However, there’s one trick up his sleeve: the ‘Lucky Hat’ skill, which can be unlocked by gathering various Adventure Books. This ability gives Indy a chance to cheat death if, while seemingly defeated, he manages to locate his hat and put it back on with that signature Harrison Ford swagger.

In other adventure books you explore, you need Adventure Points to activate them. These enhancements can increase Indy’s combat effectiveness by boosting his damage output or resistance during fights, as well as offering numerous other bonuses and advantages. However, what truly sets Indy apart is his knack for improvisation – you can seize any highlighted item, whether it’s a shovel, hammer, broom, flyswatter, truncheon, or even a glass bottle, and employ it as a weapon to either silently subdue an adversary or deliver a powerful blow to their head. In rare instances when nothing is at hand, pressing X/square will make Indy pull out the butt of his gun, which he can use to knock unconscious any attacker.

After a short stop at the Vatican, our demonstration transitions significantly into a later part of the game, taking us to Nazi-controlled Giza in Egypt. Known for its pyramids and Sphinx, this area is expansive, filled with sweeping sand dunes, remnants of ancient structures, bustling bazaars, fortified enemy camps, and excavation sites. The presence of Jones’ nemesis, Voss, is palpable here as he utilizes every available worker to outmaneuver you.

In the timeframe between Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Last Crusade, you find yourself as Indiana Jones, utilizing his characteristic charm and cunning to outmaneuver Herr Voss. This mission involves searching for stone tablets known as ‘stelae’ for your contact Nawal in Gizeh. While Indy’s photojournalist partner Gina stays with Nawal in the tent, you must navigate on your own. However, when Gina joins you, she doesn’t hesitate to engage in a fight if one arises. Sometimes, it’s possible to dodge conflict by wearing a disguise, and if an enemy camp is overrun, you won’t be able to withstand multiple attacks – often, a disguise is the best option for survival.

In the unfenced areas of The Great Circle such as Gizeh, you’ll encounter ‘Mystery’ side missions to tackle, road signs acting as quick travel spots, and vendors who stock handy items including the lighter – an essential tool for brightening up dark corners, igniting torches, scaring off scorpions, or burning away wooden barriers, obstacles made of wood, rope, straw, and so on. Indiana’s journal documents his entire adventure, featuring maps, photos, postcards, and sketches, making it easy to refer back if you ever find yourself in a pickle. Additionally, aiming your camera at a puzzle will provide you with helpful tips if desired.

After spending numerous hours enjoying Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, it’s clear that it’s coming together quite well. The first-person viewpoint aligns logically, as both stealth and combat have been thoughtfully designed to reflect Indy’s adaptable strategy in challenging circumstances. Additionally, the cinematic tone reminiscent of a matinee movie is spot on. If MachineGames manages to maintain an exciting blend of adventure and action, and delivers a satisfying conclusion, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle could end the year with a thunderous crack of Indy’s whip.

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2024-10-29 17:15