Indiana Jones: New Video Game ‘Indiana Jones and the Great Circle’ Set to Release This Year

Lucasfilm has announced the release of a highly anticipated video game featuring the legendary archaeologist Indiana Jones. Titled ‘Indiana Jones and the Great Circle‘, the game is set to launch later this year on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Xbox Game Pass. Developed by MachineGames, a subsidiary of Bethesda, the game takes place in 1937, between the events of ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark‘ and ‘Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade‘.

‘Indiana Jones and the Great Circle’ revolves around the mysterious power connected to a celestial phenomenon known as the Great Circle. Players will step into the shoes of Indiana Jones as he embarks on a first-person action and adventure, diving into the depths of ancient history to unravel the secrets behind the Great Circle. The recently released trailer promises a thrilling experience, featuring intense spider-crawling, whip-wielding, and plane-hopping gameplay.

In an interview with Jerk Gustafsson, the game director, Lucasfilm.com discussed the challenges and excitement of creating a modern Indiana Jones game. Gustafsson expressed his team’s deep respect for the iconic character and their aim to capture the mood and style of the original films made in the 1980s.

The story of ‘Indiana Jones and the Great Circle’ was developed collaboratively by MachineGames and Todd Howard, with guidance from Lucasfilm Games. Set one year after the events of ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’, the game explores Indy’s state of mind as he navigates through his separation from Marion and finds himself lost and obsessed with his work. The goal was to stay true to Indiana Jones’ character and seamlessly integrate this chapter into his story.

The gameplay of ‘Indiana Jones and the Great Circle’ centers around Indiana Jones’ agility and resourcefulness. Unlike a superhero, Indy relies on his wit, strength, and archaeology skills to overcome obstacles and engage in combat. The combat mechanics emphasize hand-to-hand fighting, improvisation with in-world items, and effectively utilizing his iconic whip. The whip’s performance has been carefully designed to be versatile, realistic, and essential to the combat experience.

While ‘Indiana Jones and the Great Circle’ is primarily a first-person game, MachineGames ensured players would have opportunities to see Indy in action through seamlessly integrated third-person perspectives during certain actions, events, and cinematic sequences.

As for the game’s setting, the Great Circle refers to a mysterious connection between various historical sites, including Giza, Easter Island, Sukhothai, and Nazca. The developers aim to provide an immersive experience, making players feel like expert archaeologists exploring hidden historical moments.

Fans of Indiana Jones can expect an authentic adventure that feels like a classic Indiana Jones story, taking place between the events of ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ and ‘Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade’. Gustafsson expressed his pride in the team’s work and their commitment to delivering a game that captures the essence of the beloved franchise.

As a final note, Lucasfilm.com playfully asked if snakes would make an appearance in the game. Gustafsson assured that as game developers, they are not easily scared by snakes, hinting at their inclusion in the game.