You’ve seen the trailers. You might have even watched some streamer fumble their way through a tomb by now. But there is a weird disconnect between what people think this game is and what MachineGames actually built. Honestly, if you go into Indiana Jones and the Great Circle expecting a first-person version of Uncharted, you’re going to be frustrated within twenty minutes.
It isn't a cover-shooter. It isn't a Nathan Drake clone. It's something much stranger, and frankly, much more "Indy."
Since it launched on Xbox and PC back in late 2024, followed by that big PS5 release in April 2025, the conversation has been dominated by the visuals. And yeah, the digital Harrison Ford is uncanny. But the real meat of the experience lies in the stuff people aren't talking about enough—like the fact that you spend more time looking through a camera lens or a journal than you do firing a gun.
The Stealth and "Social" Problem
Most players assumed this would be Wolfenstein with a whip. It makes sense, right? MachineGames made the modern Wolfenstein games. They know how to make shooting feel "crunchy." But in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, gunplay is a desperate last resort. If you're in a room with five Nazis and you pull your revolver, you’ve basically already lost.
The game leans heavily into what the developers call "social stealth."
You’re constantly donning disguises—a priest in the Vatican, a worker in Egypt—to move through restricted areas. It feels more like Hitman than Tomb Raider. But here’s where people get tripped up: the AI is actually pretty sharp. They aren't just looking for a "player character." They’re looking for someone who doesn't belong. If you’re dressed as a laborer but you’re running around like a parkour athlete, they’ll notice.
It forces a slower pace. You have to breathe.
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Why the First-Person Perspective Actually Works
There was a huge outcry when this was first announced. "Why isn't it third-person?" "I want to see the hat!"
Well, you see the hat plenty in the cutscenes. But being in first-person changes the puzzles entirely. When you’re standing in a tomb in Giza, trying to align mirrors to reflect light onto a specific sigil, the sense of scale is massive. You aren't just watching a character solve a puzzle; you’re looking at the dust motes in the air and the ancient carvings inches from your face.
It makes the "Great Circle" concept feel grounded. For those who haven't finished the story, the Great Circle is an actual archaeological theory that suggests ancient spiritual sites around the world—the Pyramids, the Sukhothai temples, the Vatican—are all perfectly aligned in a massive circle.
In the game, this takes you from the snow-capped Himalayas to the humid jungles of Thailand.
The Gear That Matters
- The Whip: It's not just a weapon. It’s your primary traversal tool. You use it to swing, sure, but also to pull levers or distract guards by snapping it near their ears.
- The Camera: This is the most underrated tool in the game. Taking photos of clues isn't just for flavor; it’s how you fill your journal and earn Adventure Points.
- The Lighter: Essential for those pitch-black corners. It also has a limited fuel mechanic that adds a tiny bit of tension to the deeper tombs.
- The Journal: Everything you find—maps, sketches, photos—lives here. You’ll be opening this menu constantly to solve the more complex environmental riddles.
Troy Baker and the Voice of a Legend
We have to talk about the voice. Replacing Harrison Ford is a thankless job. But Troy Baker didn't just do an impression; he captured the sighs.
The way Indy sounds when he’s tired, or the way his voice cracks when he’s annoyed by Gina Lombardi (his journalist companion in the game), feels like it was ripped straight from 1937. It’s a performance that acknowledges Indy isn't a superhero. He’s a guy who gets punched in the face a lot and usually wins by the skin of his teeth.
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Sadly, we also have to mention the late Tony Todd. He voiced Locus, one of the primary antagonists, and his performance is chilling. It's one of his final roles, and he brings a weight to the "muscle" archetype that makes every encounter with him feel genuinely dangerous.
What Most People Miss: The RPG Lite System
The game doesn't have a traditional leveling tree. Instead, you find "Adventure Books" hidden in the world.
If you want to increase your health or learn how to do a "hat toss" distraction, you have to find the specific book for it and then spend your Adventure Points to "read" it. This encourages real exploration. If you just rush the main story, you’re going to be incredibly weak by the time you reach the final act.
It’s a smart way to force players to actually be archaeologists.
The Technical Reality in 2026
Now that we're into 2026, the game is finally hitting the "Switch 2" (or whatever Nintendo is calling their next-gen hardware this week). Reports suggest it’s a 30fps experience on the handheld, which is a far cry from the ray-traced glory of the PS5 Pro or a high-end PC.
However, the art direction carries it. Even on lower settings, the way light hits the stone walls of a Sukhothai temple is stunning.
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There are still some "janky" moments. Character physics can occasionally go haywire, especially when you’re dragging a body into a bush to hide it. And let's be real—the "The Order of Giants" DLC that dropped in late 2025 was a bit hit-or-miss. The Rome section was fantastic, but the platforming in the mountain caves felt a little dated.
Actionable Tips for New Players
If you’re just starting Indiana Jones and the Great Circle today, stop trying to play it like a shooter.
First, go into the settings and turn off some of the UI prompts if you want a real challenge. The game has a "hand-holding" problem where icons pop up over everything you can interact with. Turning those off makes the discovery of a hidden lever feel like an actual achievement.
Second, prioritize the "Stamina" upgrades early. You’ll be doing a lot of climbing and swinging, and nothing is more frustrating than falling to your death because Indy’s grip gave out five inches from the ledge.
Finally, talk to the NPCs. Especially in the open hubs like Giza. They often drop hints about where those Adventure Books are hidden.
Next Steps for Your Playthrough:
Check your Journal often for map updates you might have missed. If you’re stuck on a puzzle, look at the photos you’ve taken—usually, the answer is literally in the frame. Move slowly in the "Social Stealth" sections and watch the guard patterns for at least one full cycle before making your move toward the objective.