From playing dress-up to whipping everything in sight, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is driven by one question: "What would Indiana Jones do?"

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. (Image credit: MachineGames) “What are you going to do, Indiana?” This is a question that’s asked of the titular hero in theofficial showcasereveal ofIndiana Jones and the Great Circlethat was released earlier this year. As we get swept up in a global conspiracy in 1937, that question is not only one we’ll have to answer for ourselves when we step into the famous archaeologist’s shoes this December, but it’s also the driving force behind what features and tools developer MachineGame’s decided to put at our disposal. For every scenario, item, and ability, the team thought on the same question time and again to help players embody the role of the beloved fedora-wearing character: “What would Indiana Jones do?”. “The team has worked on games all the way back to Chronicles of Riddick, The Darkness, Wolfenstein,” design director Jens Andersson tells me. “So you can see features in all those games that we like and we borrow from, we’ve learned from, and we want to do that more and better. But [in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle], it’s coming from the character: what would Indiana Jones do? What doyouwant to do as Indiana Jones?” “Infiltration and stealth is a big part of that,” Andersson continues. “So we have the disguise system in there. We have a more robust stealth system than we had in Wolfenstein. It’s [stealth] the approach that you have initially when you encounter a scenario, like you want to go in there, you do want to try to get through it without resorting to combat. And it’s only when combat goes wrong that it escalates to this hand-to-hand combat fight system. And even there, that’s different, because it’s Indiana Jones. It’s semi chaotic; there are items, there’s a bottle you can pick up and smash on people, other fun stuff like that.” Creative director Axel Torvenius joins in, highlighting one of his favorite items that we can find and use: the banjo. “The banjo is a personal favorite, yes”, Andersson agrees. “We have a lot of these kinds of fun objects that just work in the universe, [and we’re] really trying to find this comedy tone that we see in the movies as well, carried across in all our gameplay.” Adventure-first (Image credit: MachineGames) Must whip it(Image credit: Xbox Game Studios)After seeing Indiana Jones and the Great Circle’s stealthy disguises, punchy hand-to-hand combat, and the iconic whip in action, it’s one adventure I need in my life Must whip it (Image credit: Xbox Game Studios)After seeing Indiana Jones and the Great Circle’s stealthy disguises, punchy hand-to-hand combat, and the iconic whip in action, it’s one adventure I need in my life (Image credit: Xbox Game Studios) After seeing Indiana Jones and the Great Circle’s stealthy disguises, punchy hand-to-hand combat, and the iconic whip in action, it’s one adventure I need in my life Alongside all of these “fun objects” that we can find and use both in combat and for traversal, guns will still factor into the adventure. Crucially, though, because we are playing as Indiana Jones, everything has been designed so that reaching for a gun is often a last resort. It’s a fitting choice that, to me, playfully nods to a famous scene in Raiders of the Lost Ark - after all, who could forget the momentIndiana shoots a foe during a sword fightout of sheer exhaustion? Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is something of a departure for the team at MachineGames. As Torvenius explains, the adventure-first direction of the experience and the move away from being a shooter was a big change. With a mix of linear and more open areas, exploration is also a key aspect of being Indiana Jones. As we venture from location to location, we can encounter various puzzles and uncover mysteries in the world. And as the biggest project the studio has worked on, the size and scale of the game it’s creating also presented new challenges. “We have a long history at MachineGames where we’ve been very comfortable in doing fairly linear games,” Torvenius says. “Sometimes we do somewhat bigger combat scenarios, and things have opened up a bit, but [they’re] fairly linear. With this game, we’ve really tried to do something that is somewhat different. We do have a mix of linear locations, but even the linear locations often offer different routes and ways to progress through or scale in the environment. Then we have these larger sections of the game where the game really opens up, and there’s a more open-ended setup in terms of in which order can you do these missions or activities.” True Grit (Image credit: Xbox Game Studios) The freedom to explore and take different routes also opens up the way for us to find adventure books in the world that will let us unlock new abilities and skills. In some of the “really big areas that are more freeform” as Andersson puts it, there are also a number of disguises we can find and change into whenever we want, which in turn gives us access to “areas you otherwise wouldn’t be welcome in”. We’ve already seen a few examples of these disguises that Andersson describes as a “very big reward” for you to find, from Indiana Jones being a man of the cloth, to dressing up as a worker. While all of the game’s systems are “built on who Indiana Jones is”, Andersson explains the adventure books, in particular, marry well with exploration. “It [adventure books] ties into the exploration part of this game. It’s not this fixed skill tree system that you see when you stop the game,” Andersson says. “It’s actually abilities hidden around the world. We have tons of optional content, small mysteries that you find around the corner. If you just look close enough, maybe there’s a mystery there. Maybe the reward for solving that puzzle, or whatever the mystery is, is an adventure book that’s a new skill for the player, but it basically can improve your skills across all the different systems.” I get to see one of those abilities, True Grit, during the preview. It’s a second wind that only Indy could pull off – after being downed in combat, he puts his hat back on to restore health. “It’s such a good reference for what we’re trying to do,” Andersson says when I ask about True Grit. “It’s a little bit quirky, but perfectly balanced. And the hat, it’s such an iconic thing throughout the game, we are trying to really work that in. It’s a character in its own right. In the movies, you see a lot of silhouettes, and we wanted to recreate that as well. It works fantastically in first-person when we set up these levels where the lighting comes from the background, you go stand in the door frame and see yourself as a shadow on the wall. That is really nice. But also, you know, the hat is part of the journey as well. So as you play throughout the game, you see it getting more worn down. It’s really important for us to get that right, because it’s such a central part of the character.” Crack that whip (Image credit: MachineGames) Along with the hat, the whip is also another signature element of Indiana Jones' character that I can’t wait to use in the Great Circle. From everything we’ve seen so far, I hope it feels as satisfying to use as it looks. From using it to latch onto the environment to swing across gaps, to cracking it against enemies and trapping them in a deadly grip, it’s one tool we can use in more ways than one. As such, it proved to be the most challenging feature to bring to life for MachineGames. When I ask how technically difficult making the whip has been, Torvenius admits it’s been a challenge. “We’ve been having a really large team dedicated [to the whip] from different departments within MachineGames,” they explain. “We have some amazingly talented engineers and programmers that have been working specifically with making sure that the simulation and the physics of it works as we want it to, that it behaves and feels dynamic and organic and natural. There’s animation components that ties into it as well, because at some point, maybe we need more control over it. And then there are animated aspects of it. It’s the look of it, it’s the sound of it.” The whip is undoubtedly what I’m most excited to try out when the December 9 release date rolls around, but there’s so much MachineGames is doing that piques my interest as a longtime fan of the movies. From the way the team is trying to create a world set in 1937 that also captures the ’80s matinee action of Raiders of the Lost Ark, to how they’ve baked in every feature and ability to make sense for Indiana, it’s quickly become one of most anticipated games of the year. Whether it will all come together remains to be seen, but from speaking with Torvenius and Andersson, it’s clear the team are big fans of Indiana Jones themselves, and with the game arriving on Gamepass, Andersson says they already feel the pressure of delivering for a wider audience. Ultimately, though, the team hopes that hardcore fans and even people that are new to Indiana Jones will enjoy the experience. “A dream here,” Torvenius says, “would of course be that someone of an older generation that maybe grew up with the movies would have the possibility to play it with their kids, who maybe love games, but don’t necessarily know the Indiana Jones movies.” “Yeah,” Andersson agrees, “[hopefully they will] finish the game and then directly go watch the movies.” After making 2 acclaimed Wolfenstein FPS games, the Indiana Jones and the Great Circle devs do a complete 180: “Guns shouldn’t be your first option”. 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just have to accept who I am as a creative person” The Rings of Power season 2, episode 7 is the show’s version of The Two Towers – and it’s the best episode of TV released all year 32 movies that spawned iconic internet memes GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty 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adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1 Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2 Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3 Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4 Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5 Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1 Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2 Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3 Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4 The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5 Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 1 Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 2 Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 3 Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 4 Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” 5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” 5 Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”