Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review

• Available on Xbox and PC, coming to PS5 in April
• Released on 9 December
• Developed by Machine Games / published by Bethesda

You’d think MachineGames would be done with Nazis after so many Wolfenstein titles—but here they are again, this time with a fedora-wearing twist. Yep, they’ve taken a swing at an Indiana Jones game, and while Nazis still play the villain role, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is a lot more than your typical action-heavy romp. It’s got puzzles, exploration, stealth, and a good helping of cinematic flair.

Set between Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Last Crusade, the story kicks off when Indy’s college is broken into, and a cat mummy statue is swiped by what looks like a giant. The only lead? A mysterious medallion, which sends him on a trail that starts at the Vatican and winds into a globe-trotting race against — you guessed it — the Nazis, all tied to the mystery of the Great Circle.

Things start strong with a playable version of that iconic boulder escape scene. After that nostalgic opener, the game spreads its wings with a mix of linear missions packed with thrilling set-pieces and open-ended areas where you’re free to explore. This mix means the pacing can be a bit uneven — sometimes you’re riding high on adrenaline, other times you’re meandering through side content — but overall, it keeps things feeling fresh.

One downside? Some of the open-world tasks feel like filler. Fetch quests and photo objectives don’t exactly scream Indiana Jones. That said, they’re mostly optional and easy to skip if you just want to stick to the main story. Some side quests, especially those packed with clever puzzles, are actually a lot of fun.

Speaking of puzzles, this might be the game’s strongest suit. There’s a wide variety of them, and they’re just challenging enough to feel satisfying without becoming frustrating. Whether they’re required to progress or hidden in the world offering up loot like coins or adventure points, they’re rewarding to tackle. And those points? You’ll want them to upgrade Indy’s abilities.

Exploration is another highlight. Swinging across gaps with your whip, navigating temples, and solving environmental challenges all capture that classic Indy vibe. Stealth is surprisingly enjoyable, too: you can knock out enemies with everything from a fly swatter to a guitar, and it never really gets old.

Combat, though? That’s where things get a bit shaky. While you can use Indy’s pistol, grab weapons off enemies, or crack the whip, going in guns blazing usually leads to trouble fast. The hand-to-hand combat can also feel clunky at times, lacking the finesse you might expect from a modern action game.

But honestly, that’s okay. Indy’s not a super soldier, and the game captures his scrappy, resourceful style perfectly. The story is fun — arguably better than the last couple of movies — and you’ll travel to some beautiful, exotic locations. Add in sharp visuals, great voice acting (Troy Baker nails the Indy vibe), and a good dose of humor, and you’ve got something that feels like a true blockbuster.

Sure, it’s not flawless. But if you’ve ever dreamed of stepping into Indiana Jones’ well-worn boots, The Great Circle delivers a fun, brain-teasing, whip-cracking adventure that absolutely captures the spirit of the films. Just don’t go in expecting non-stop action; it’s more about clever thinking and careful sneaking than constant brawling.