Grab your fedora and whip because Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is hitting consoles and PC soon. Announced with a teaser in 2021, details about this MachineGames title have been slowly emerging. While franchises like Uncharted and Tomb Raider have drawn inspiration from Indiana Jones, this game aims to deliver a true Indy experience, complete with signature action and puzzle-solving. Will it live up to the legend? Time will tell, but we’ve compiled everything we know so far.
For more upcoming game releases, check out our comprehensive list of video game release dates, or browse our dedicated articles on upcoming PS5 games, upcoming Switch games, upcoming Xbox Series X games, and upcoming PC games.
Release Date and Platforms
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle launches on Xbox Series X|S and PC on December 9, 2024. Contrary to earlier expectations of Xbox exclusivity, a PlayStation 5 version is planned for Spring 2025, joining several other Xbox titles making their way to Sony’s console.
Indiana jones buried in the sand.
Trailers and Story Details
Several trailers have offered glimpses into Indiana Jones and the Great Circle‘s story and gameplay.
Gameplay Reveal Trailer
The initial reveal trailer showcased Indy in his element – neck-deep in trouble. While light on specifics, accompanying developer commentary revealed the game’s setting: between Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Last Crusade. The plot revolves around a seemingly insignificant stolen artifact, leading Indy down a rabbit hole of mystery and conspiracy. Nazis are involved, naturally, and it’s up to players to thwart their plans.
Xbox Games Showcase 2024 Trailer
This cinematic trailer expanded on the narrative, revealing that the stolen artifact is one of many, forming a circle on the globe – hence the title. The trailer focuses on the Himalayas, where Indy and investigative reporter Gina Lombardi explore a frozen battleship. After finding their objective, they’re ambushed by Nazis, leading to a classic Indy-style exchange of quips before an explosive escape.
Gamescom 2024 Date Reveal Trailer
This trailer provided behind-the-scenes glimpses of Troy Baker embodying the iconic role, along with snippets of gameplay footage, but didn’t reveal any new story details.
Gameplay Mechanics
Indiana pointing at a diagram on the wall.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is primarily a first-person adventure, with third-person perspectives reserved for cutscenes and traversal actions like climbing. This choice aligns with MachineGames’ expertise in first-person titles, aiming to immerse players in Indy’s experience.
Combat features melee brawls, improvised weapons like frying pans, Indy’s trusty whip, and a pistol. Whether additional weapons will be available remains unclear. Platforming and exploration segments break up the action, while puzzles, a staple of the franchise, involve interacting with ancient mechanisms to progress.
Hands-on previews have revealed a Marshall College tutorial involving detective work and puzzle-solving after a break-in. Stealth is an option, with players able to use distractions and takedowns, but isn’t mandatory. The game allows for different approaches and provides alternate routes even in linear missions.
The Giza section showcases a more open environment with enemy patrols and camps. Players can choose how to engage or avoid them, navigating with collected maps instead of UI elements. Disguises offer another tactical option, allowing infiltration of Nazi camps. Side objectives include tracking down wanted criminals. Optional puzzles and discoveries emerge organically through exploration and NPC interactions.
Gunplay appears to be de-emphasized, with stealth, melee combat, and environmental takedowns taking center stage.
Preorder Details
Preorders for the Xbox and PC versions are open, with PlayStation 5 preorders expected once a release date is confirmed. Two editions are available:
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Standard Edition ($70): Includes the base game and a preorder bonus “The Last Crusade” pack featuring a cosmetic suit and whip.
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Premium Edition ($100): Includes everything in the Standard Edition plus three days of early access, “The Order of Giants” DLC, a digital artbook, and a “Temple of Doom” outfit. You can preorder Indiana Jones and the Great Circle now.
