The first look at Xbox Game Studio and MachineGames’ highly-awaited Indiana Jones game is here, and it looks very Indy with its storytelling and archaeological focus, while still offering a thrilling new adventure. During their recent Developer Direct event, Xbox treated fans with an exclusive sneak peek into the world of MachineGames’ upcoming Indiana Jones game, revealing a ton of new information and never-before-seen footage of the gameplay, setting and even Indy himself.
For starters, the game is now officially called ‘Indiana Jones and the Great Circle‘ and takes place between Raiders of the Lost Ark and ‘The Last Crusade.’ While the game’s place within the Indiana Jones canon remains unconfirmed, this first-person action-adventure uses Harrison Fords likeness as in-game Indy (however he isn’t voiced by him) sets off on a globe-trotting adventure quest to stop villains vying for a mysterious power.
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As per MachineGames, “Set between “Raiders of the Lost Ark” and “The Last Crusade”, Indiana Jones and The Great Circle is a first-person, single-player adventure that will take you all over the world, uncovering clues and solving an ancient mystery.” The story takes place in 1937 and the McGuffin powerful force in question is connected to something called The Great Circle — a perfect circle around the globe that links human-built ancient sites of “great spiritual significance.”
“Your journeys will take you from the hallowed halls of the Vatican and the arid deserts of Egypt to the lush and sunken temples of Sukhothai and the frigid peaks of the Himalayas,” the developer blog further adds. The new 3-minute long footage for ‘Indiana Jones and the Great Circle‘ reveals a blend of first-person and third-person perspectives gameplay, cutscenes and a ton of whip-cracking. From a first-person view, players will guide Indy as he explores the pyramids of Egypt, scales snowy peaks, infiltrates fortified outposts, and narrowly escapes perilous situations.
The footage also showcases Indy’s whip-cracking takedowns, fistfights, gunplay, platforming acrobatics, and puzzle-solving prowess, even including daring leaps between biplanes. The game will offer multiple approaches to encounters, adding further depth and freedom of choice to the experience. Cutscenes and certain platforming sequences pull back for a wider view of the legendary archaeologist, whose likeness is modelled after Harrison Ford, while video game voice actor Troy Baker voices him.
Talking a bit about the game, design director Jens Andersson said in an official blog, “Our game is about putting you in the shoes of an iconic hero. Since we are doing this mostly in first-person, you have the chance to truly become Indy. First-person makes you part of this world – allowing you to explore and experience things more intimately. What will you do when you’re dropped into this adventure with your wits and your whip? The world of Indiana Jones is a world with mysteries around every corner, where you’re racing against the clock and outsmarting your enemies as you hunt down artifacts.”
Though it’s too soon to say for sure, MachineGames seems to be on the right track with their take on the classic Indiana Jones formula. Only time will tell how faithful they’ve been, but ‘Indiana Jones and the Great Circle‘ has definitely piqued our interest.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is slated to release sometime later in 2024 and will be a day-one launch on Xbox Game Pass.
