The figure of Indiana Jones is more than just a movie character - it is a symbol. A myth that has shaped generations of adventurers, made cinema history and whose iconic hat and whip have long since become cultural common property. With Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Machine Games is now bringing the archaeologist with the fast mouth into the modern gaming era - a bold step, especially in view of the great role models such as Uncharted or Tomb Raiderwhich have long since redefined the adventure genre in the video game world.
But how does the hat wearer fare in a medium that is defined more than ever by gameplay, freedom and visual excellence?
Between whip and pistol
The plot of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle At first glance, it looks like something straight out of an old movie: Indiana Jones is hunting a powerful artifact, this time the mysterious "Great Circle", while a fanatical Nazi archaeologist, Emmerich Voss, is hot on his heels. The story takes us across the world - from the gloomy Vatican City to dusty Egyptian ruins and the snowy heights of Tibet.
What begins like a classic Indy plot becomes a credible, if not particularly surprising, story thanks to cinematic cut-scenes, a dense atmosphere and authentic voice acting. The plot lives above all from the charm of the main character, the subtle humor and the tension created by targeted dramaturgy - rather than narrative innovation.
A quiet hero in noisy times
Contrary to many expectations, the Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is not a classic action thriller. Instead of continuous explosions, there are quiet takedowns, careful exploration and creative improvisation. The first-person perspective reinforces the feeling of really being in Indy's boots - a bold design decision that might not appeal to everyone, but reinforces the feeling of closeness and presence.
Unlike in the Uncharted-In contrast to the Naughty Dog series, you don't shoot for all you're worth. Weapons are loud, conspicuous and rather counterproductive in many situations. Instead, the game demands a well thought-out, stealthy approach. Incapacitating enemies with an antique vase or eliminating them with targeted strikes from the shadows not only feels varied, but also fits perfectly with the character of Dr. Jones - a man who was never the classic Rambo.
Improvisation instead of balling
The fights in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle are based on the principle: use what you have - or what you find. Chairs, whips, tools, antique musical instruments - anything can become a weapon. This system of creative improvisation is fun and rewards attention. Those who look around are rewarded. If you rush in blindly, you will quickly suffer the consequences.
There are also elements reminiscent of modern stealth titles: enemies can be distracted, overwhelmed or eliminated from ambush. Here, the game almost feels like a mixture of Assassin's Creed and Dishonored not in scope, but in philosophy.
A special highlight: the whip, which is more than just a gimmick. It is not only used for locomotion, but also for disarming, solving puzzles or scaring enemies - a real all-rounder in Indy's arsenal.
Strong world, weak puzzles
As impressive as the world is - the game has a lot to offer in terms of graphics and atmosphere - many of the puzzles are unfortunately disappointing. While you would look forward to tricky traps, clever combinations and challenging brain teasers in an Indiana Jones game, many of the puzzles are too simple, too linear and too obvious.
It is often enough to activate a few symbols in the right order or follow the obvious path. The solution is usually in the same room or at least in the immediate vicinity and will demand little from experienced Lara Croft fans. This takes some of the fascination out of the game that we know from the films: the feeling that every step could also be a trap, every switch a decision between life and death.
Another weak point: the supposedly open game world. Although we move around in larger areas that at first glance invite us to explore, we often come across locked doors, invisible walls or scripted events that keep us in narrow paths. Freedom is more suggested here than actually lived. This can be frustrating - especially for players who long for the feeling of real discovery. Too often you feel like you are being guided through a beautiful museum instead of becoming an explorer yourself.
PS5 Pro: Where Indy shines best
However, this cannot be denied: On the PS5 Pro, the game showswhat it is capable of. The graphical improvements are clearly noticeable - high-resolution textures, butter-smooth frame rates, impressive light and shadow effects and a finely tuned soundscape make the experience on the Sony console an audiovisual treat. This shows that the upgrade to the PS5 Pro has once again really paid off.
The integration of the DualSense features is particularly noteworthy. Every lash of the whip, every punch, every ancient cogwheel that groans into motion can be felt in your own hands - an experience that I previously had to do without completely on the Xbox version and which, in my opinion, makes a significant difference once again. The haptic feedback and adaptive triggers provide a tangible depth that goes far beyond visual stimuli. The controller's light bar even synchronizes with Indy's health status and alarm level - a small detail that shows how much love Machine Games has put into this implementation.
In addition to the graphical upgrade, gameplay content has also been enhanced exclusively for the PS5 Pro. The aforementioned whip has been given new functions: Disarming enemies, reusing weapons or manipulating the environment - all of which bring fresh dynamics to the game. New abilities such as "Hunting Season", where enemies remain disoriented for longer after an attack, add tactical depth. These are not the big innovations, but many small additions that make the game feel more rounded and versatile.
Conclusion
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