Indiana Jones Swings Into Action in 'Great Circle'

MachineGames and Bethesda's upcoming action-adventure game, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, will prioritize close-quarters combat over gunfights, according to the development team. This design choice reflects the iconic character's preference for hand-to-hand combat and clever problem-solving.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: A Focus on Melee, Stealth, and Puzzles

Hand-to-Hand Combat and Improvised Weapons Take Center Stage

In a recent interview with PC Gamer, MachineGames' design director and creative director detailed the game's gameplay mechanics. Inspired by their work on titles like Wolfenstein and Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay, the team emphasizes hand-to-hand combat, improvised brawls, and stealth.

The developers stressed that Indiana Jones isn't known for his gun skills. Instead, the game will leverage his resourcefulness, allowing players to use everyday objects—pots, pans, and even musical instruments—as weapons. This approach aims to capture Indy's resourceful and somewhat unlikely hero persona, translating his charm and ingenuity into engaging gameplay.

Beyond combat, players will explore diverse environments blending linear and open areas. Similar to the Wolfenstein series, the game will offer both structured paths and more expansive regions encouraging exploration. Some larger areas will offer a degree of freedom reminiscent of immersive sims, allowing for multiple solutions to challenges. Players will be able to infiltrate enemy camps and find creative ways to reach objectives.

Stealth will play a crucial role, incorporating traditional infiltration alongside a "social stealth" mechanic. This involves acquiring disguises to blend in and access restricted zones. Each significant location will offer a variety of disguises to discover, providing alternative routes and enhancing the strategic depth of gameplay.

In a previous interview with Inverse, the game director highlighted the deliberate decision to downplay gunplay. The team prioritized aspects like hand-to-hand combat, navigation, and traversal, focusing on elements they felt would present a unique and challenging design space within the first-person perspective.

The game will also feature a robust puzzle system, offering challenges for experienced puzzle solvers while maintaining accessibility for a broader audience. Some particularly difficult puzzles will be optional, ensuring that players can still progress even if they struggle with the most complex challenges.