About Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is a loose adaptation of the adventures of the famous archaeologist created by George Lucas and Steven Spielberg. The game results from the collaboration between Lucasfilm Games and MachineGames, the Swedish studio behind the new Wolfenstein trilogy. The Great Circle marks the return of cinema’s most famous archaeologist nearly fifteen years after Indiana Jones and the Staff of Kings, released in 2009. As fans of the George Lucas and Steven Spielberg franchise, the developers at MachineGames decided to create an entirely original story rather than an adaptation of one of the existing films.
The story takes place in 1937, between the events of *Raiders of the Lost Ark* and *The Last Crusade*. Indiana Jones is a renowned professor who doesn’t hesitate to risk his life to track down the most precious treasures and artifacts. The story begins with a nighttime break-in at Marshall College, which escalates into a confrontation with a mysterious colossus. Faced with this giant, Professor Jones is powerless, and the figure flees into the night with a seemingly innocuous artifact. From there, an investigation unfolds centered on the “Great Circle,” an ancient power coveted by dark forces across the globe.
With its atmosphere that remains extremely faithful to Steven Spielberg’s trilogy, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is worthy of a true Indiana Jones movie, with its humor, its unapologetic Manichaeism, and its orchestral score inspired by the melodies of John Williams. The same goes for its cinematic direction and the voice acting by Troy Baker, who manages to imitate the voice of the original actor, Harrison Ford.
Considered one of the best games of 2024, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle had already attracted more than four million players on Windows PC and Xbox Series by the end of January 2025. It has since been ported to PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2. It also received an expansion titled “The Order of the Giants,” released on September 4, 2025.
Why Should I Play Indiana Jones and the Great Circle?
The game takes you on a journey across the globe: the Vatican, Egypt, Thailand, and many other locations, with its extraordinary graphics. To enhance immersion, the developers at MachineGames decided to take a bold gamble by setting most of the action in first-person perspective. As a result, the vast majority of events are seen through Indy’s eyes. During cutscenes, the view switches to third-person, as it does during certain sequences—notably climbing, swinging on the whip, or crossing chasms. You can immediately recognize MachineGames’ signature style and the legacy of titles like The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay, from which several team members hail. In fact, it simply feels like you’re in an interactive movie bearing the Indiana Jones stamp.
In terms of gameplay, The Great Circle successfully balances several approaches. At first, the structure is relatively linear with a confined area, but as you progress, the areas become increasingly open and free-roaming, with numerous secrets, treasures, and puzzles to solve. Just like with Tomb Raider and Lara Croft, puzzles play a central role in the adventure. They require logic, observation, and sometimes quick reflexes, which means players need to take their time.
Players can also choose between direct confrontation—which is much more dynamic but riskier—or a more stealthy approach that offers a greater sense of excitement and immersion. Of course, the whip—the character’s signature weapon—is at the heart of the experience. It lets you move around, swing over a guard, or climb a wall. It can also distract an opponent, disarm them, or, of course, strike them with full force. At the same time, the developers have incorporated some really fun stealth sequences, as well as particularly immersive hand-to-hand combat. As for shootouts, they’re there, but they’re more sporadic—and, ultimately, that’s no bad thing.
The experience is expanded with The Order of the Giants expansion, released on September 4, 2025, which takes players to Rome to explore the catacombs. This DLC doesn’t introduce any major changes, but it does extend the story a little further.
Is Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Free-to-play?
Indiana Jones and the Ancient Circle is a paid game, priced like a AAA title. It is available in several editions, one of which includes The Order of the Giants DLC, a digital artbook, and an outfit inspired by The Temple of Doom.
That said, if you’re an Xbox Game Pass subscriber, the game is part of the catalog, so you can download and launch it directly from the dedicated interface on PC or from your Xbox console.
Where Can I Download Indiana Jones and the Great Circle?
Long exclusive to Windows PC, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is now available on more platforms. In addition to PC and Xbox consoles, the game joined the PlayStation 5 lineup on April 17, 2025, and the Nintendo Switch 2 lineup on May 12, 2026. Interestingly, it had a stronger launch on PS5 than on PC and Xbox.
To enjoy it on PC, make sure you have a fairly recent machine for the best experience. Speaking of which, you’ll need about 120 GB of SSD storage space to install the game.
What Games Should I Play If I Enjoy Indiana Jones and the Great Circle?
Much like the Indiana Jones games, the 007 franchise had to wait many years before returning to the forefront of the video game scene. 007 First Light is probably one of the best adaptations of the famous British secret agent. This title from IO Interactive—the studio behind the Hitman series—is a true gem of single-player action. With absolutely stunning visuals, breathtaking cinematography, varied settings, and a narrative that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. And one can’t help but be impressed by the performance of Irish actor Patrick Gibson.
Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End remains one of the must-play titles in cinematic adventure gaming on consoles and Windows PCs. In this game, Nathan Drake—known as Nate—returns to action and travels the world in search of an ancient artifact. Exotic locations, buried ruins, spectacular chases: Uncharted 4 is a deluge of jaw-dropping graphics, absolutely brilliant dialogue, and the kind of biting humor we love. A true male counterpart to Lara Croft, Nathan Drake always has a knack for finding himself in the worst situations at the worst possible times. Action, climbing, stealth, and puzzles: a winning combination you definitely won’t want to miss.
Of course, it’s impossible to overlook one of the most famous female adventurers of all time: the incredible Lara Croft. In Tomb Raider, the 2013 reboot, the archaeologist finds herself exploring semi-open environments filled with tombs, relics, and puzzles. With its fast-paced action, well-executed platforming sequences, clever stealth mechanics, and numerous combat encounters, the game showcases a heroine with phenomenal charisma. Backed by production values that pack a punch, Tomb Raider kicks off a new trilogy that would later be continued with Rise of the Tomb Raider and Shadow of the Tomb Raider. While we wait for the next installment—which is expected to be a reboot of the very first game released in 1996—the 2013 Tomb Raider is an absolute must-play.
