A Dynamic Background for the upcoming Indiana Jones and the Great Circle release is now available on Xbox Series consoles.
The dynamic background feature minimal movement. Indy’s whip, a few vines, and the water move slightly. Here is a video captured that shows it off:
Our E.I.C. Jon Clarke got to preview the game in late October, stating:
Aside from the general puzzling of simply navigating from location to location without being seen, it wouldn’t be an Indiana Jones adventure without thousand-year old puzzles and traps to contend with.
The tomb under the Great Sphinx was a particular highlight – what began as an initially simple ‘light’ puzzle, tasking me with adjusting bronze mirrors to reflect light and trigger switches, became infinitely more engrossing as we triggered a trap in true keeping with the movies.
When Gina is unable to progress through, Indy is forced to find a way to help them both progress. As well as using the whip in combat, its also incredibly useful to navigate the environment, be it swinging across gaps or climbing walls. Doing this transitions smoothly into 3rd person, and then when you’re back on your feet, back to a first person viewpoint.
Indy and Gina banter brilliantly, though she does tend to slip into the habit of stating the obvious in order to guide the player on what to do next, which I hope gets toned down a little. After solving the first puzzle, we were beset by scorpions, which required fire to keep them at bay, Gina and Indy had to work together to progress and find another way out.
Brains, not Brawn
The important thing I’m trying to underline to you as I talk through my hands on time with Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is that the game truly embodies the best qualities of it’s titular character.
Indiana Jones could always handle himself in a fight, sure – but it was his mind that served to be his greatest weapon. It wasn’t about going in guns blazing – that was always a last resort. Machine Games have captured that spirit perfectly, with a focus on puzzles, a stealth driven sandbox and gorgeous, expansive environments. What I’ve played so far is very promising indeed.
Is this another ‘Game of the Year’ contender for Xbox and Bethesda? Solving that particular mystery is easily done. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is looking to be one of the very best games this year and the sequel to the original movies we never quite received – and that feels like an understatement.
I can’t wait to play more.
