You ever feel like most modern games just want you to be a super-powered tank? Honestly, the biggest mistake people make when they first boot up the game is trying to play it like a generic shooter. It’s not. It’s a simulation of being a tired, slightly clumsy, but brilliant archeologist. If you run into a room full of Nazis with your revolver blazing, you’re going to see the "Game Over" screen faster than you can say "it belongs in a museum."
MachineGames—the folks behind the recent Wolfenstein reboots—swapped the heavy artillery for a leather whip and a camera. It’s a weird, wonderful shift. This Indiana Jones and the Great Circle guide is here to help you lean into the slapstick, the puzzles, and the "oh crap" moments that make this game feel like the lost 1930s movie we never got.
Stop Fighting Like a Soldier
Seriously, stop. Indy is a brawler, not a Navy SEAL. The combat in this game is meant to be messy.
You’ve got a stamina bar that governs everything. Punching? Stamina. Dodging? Stamina. Running away because you accidentally whipped a dog? Definitely stamina. If you spam the attack button, Indy gets winded, the screen blurs, and you’ll just be flailing while a German officer prepares to knock your block off.
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The secret sauce is the parry. Tap LB (or your equivalent) right as a punch is coming. If you time it right, you’ll catch their arm. Here’s the nuance: watch which hand they’re striking with. If they throw a right, and you parry and counter with your opposite hand, you’ll land a heavy punch. If you use the same arm, you just shove them back. Shoving is great if there’s a cliff nearby, but for a knockout, you want that cross-counter.
Quick Combat Realities
- Guns are a last resort. Bullets are rare, and you can’t reload most enemy weapons. You use them until they’re empty, then you toss the gun at someone's head. The only gun you can actually reload is Indy’s iconic revolver.
- The environment is your weapon. I once finished a fight in the Vatican using a guitar and a fly swatter. If it’s highlighted with a white reticle, you can pick it up and smash it over someone’s head.
- Stealth isn't optional. Use the "lean" function. Hold the left trigger and click the stick to peek around corners. It keeps you hidden while you plan your next move.
Why Your Camera is More Important Than Your Revolver
The leveling system in The Great Circle is... different. You don't get XP for killing people. In fact, killing people is basically a waste of time from a progression standpoint.
You get Adventure Points by being a scientist.
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Every time you see a camera icon pop up in the top left of your screen, stop. It means there’s a Photo Op nearby. Taking that picture nets you points. Finding a stray note on a desk? Points. Discovering a "Lost Artifact" hidden behind a loose brick? Massive points.
You spend these points on Adventure Books. These aren't just collectibles; they are your skill trees. You find a book like Sleight of Hand in the world, and suddenly you can use your whip to yank guns out of enemies' hands. No book, no skill.
The Gear You’ll Actually Use
- The Journal: It’s your best friend. Every hint Indy mutters and every map you find goes in here. If you’re stuck, 90% of the time the answer is written in a note you picked up five minutes ago.
- The Lighter: You won't have this immediately. Once you get it (usually around the Gizeh section), it changes the game. Until then, you’re stuck carrying torches. Pro tip: Don't hit enemies with your torch. It breaks, and then you’re in the dark. Drop it, punch the guy, then pick it back up.
- Disguises: In places like the Vatican or the Gizeh dig sites, the right clothes make you invisible. But watch the "eyeball" icon on your HUD. Even in a Nazi uniform, if you start climbing walls or stealing coins in front of a guard, they’re going to notice something is up.
Cracking the Puzzle Logic
Puzzles in this game aren't just "push the block to the pressure plate." They require actual observation. Take "The Exhibit" puzzle early on at Marshall College. You have to put relics back in their correct spots based on the photos and flags in the background. If you aren't looking at the environmental clues, you’re just guessing.
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If you get truly stuck, pull out your camera. Pointing the lens at a puzzle element often triggers a hint from Indy. It’s a built-in "help" button that feels immersive rather than immersion-breaking.
Surviving Gizeh and the Great Circle
Gizeh is where the game truly opens up into a massive sandbox. You’ll want to prioritize getting the Nazi Disguise here as soon as possible. It makes navigating the restricted dig sites way less of a headache.
Keep an eye out for Medicine Bottles. There are 25 of them scattered around the desert. They aren't just for healing; you can trade them at specific booths to unlock high-tier Adventure Books like Moxie III (which gives you way more health) or Shaping Up (for stamina).
Practical Next Steps for Your Journey
- Check the Options Menu: Go to "HUD & Gameplay" and look at the "Action" and "Adventure" settings. You can actually tune the puzzle difficulty and combat difficulty separately. If you love the riddles but hate the fistfights, you can turn down enemy damage without losing the challenge of the tombs.
- Listen for the "Audio Flourish": The game plays a specific musical cue when an enemy is about to spot you. It’s more reliable than the visual meter if someone is behind you.
- Eat Your Veggies: Bread gives you a permanent health boost for that life, and fruit gives you a stamina boost. Always top off before entering a tomb or a Nazi camp.
Now, get out there. Stop playing like a generic action hero and start playing like a guy who's just trying to get his hat back without getting shot. Focus on the journal, keep the camera ready, and remember: the whip is for swinging, but a good parry is what keeps you alive.