Summary
In January 2021, Lucasfilm andBethesda Softworks announced that MachineGames would develop a newIndiana Jonesgame, now revealed asIndiana Jones and the Great Circle. In the film space, anything related to the character seems to be met with hesitation lately, but in games he remains untarnished. The recentXbox Showcase revealedIndiana Jonesgameplay footage, some of which was the stuff of dreams, but there were also a few head-scratching moments.
MachineGames cut its teeth on the superbWolfensteinreboot, which has been one of Bethesda’s most reliable series, save for the lukewarm reception of 2019’sWolfenstein: Youngblood. The studio is known for well-crafted first-person shooters, soIndiana Jonesseemed like a weird shift. All was made clear this week, though, as it was revealed thatIndiana Jones and The Great Circlewill mostly be a first-person experience. This could be a lot of fun, but it’s also far from what most fans may have expected.
Indiana Jones has the Perfect Gaming Blueprint
Indiana Jonesis a tremendously influential franchise across multiple mediums. Films likeNational TreasureandThe Mummydraw obvious inspiration, and in gaming,UnchartedandTomb Raiderwould not be the same without the trilogy of Harrison Ford flicks. Some may argue the latter have improved the formula, and as there are always more adventures to be had and more history to be uncovered, taking cues fromNathan Drake and Lara Croft, reestablishing Indy’s crown in the process, felt like the obvious choice.
Indiana Jones and The Great Circleis looking to launch at some point later in 2024, with no concrete release date set.
Using Indiana Jones' signature whip as a conventional grappling hook or a tool like the rope inUncharted 4makes a lot of sense, and the exploration lends itself so well to the third-person perspective. First-person works if a game is heavy on combat and shooting, but as Indiana Jones has always been about more than just bashing the bad guys, it’s a strange decision to put the player so closely in the shoes of the character.
The First-Person Perspective Reduces Indiana Jones' Screen Time
Indiana Jones' last two outings have shown the character in his older years, and bothThe Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, andThe Dial of Destinygot mixed receptions.The Great Circleis set after the events ofThe Raiders of the Lost Ark, but beforeThe Last Crusade, which sits exactly in the character’s prime. To then make the game a first-person one feels like a misstep, because in that perspective, fans get little time to actually see Indy during his golden age.
Indiana Jones and The Great Circle Can Innovate in First-Person
The blueprint may have been clear, butIndiana Joneswas the one to inspire a new generation, and following in the footsteps of other adventure games and properties simply isn’t his style.Indiana Jones and The Great Circlebeing an action-adventure game in the first person seems far more unique than it could be if it had an over-the-shoulder camera view. It’s in the best spot to be a genuinely new experience, and if it manages to reach the same heights of quality that theWolfensteingames do, then it could be something truly special.
Indiana Jones will be voiced by Troy Baker, the actor behind Joel inThe Last of Usand Booker DeWitt inBioShock Infinite.
MachineGames Know the First-Person Perspective
It was puzzling to some when it was revealed thatMachineGames would take on the development of a AAAIndiana Jonesgame, largely because Indy seemed ideal for a third-person experience. That was revealed to not be the case, and now MachineGames' attachment to the project makes sense. If any studio is going to make this work, the brains behindWolfenstein: The New Orderhave the best shot.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circlereleases in 2024 for PC and Xbox Series X/S.
MORE:Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Nails Its Harrison Ford Impression
