At just 9 years old, I formed some of my earliest and most meaningful gaming memories with Minecraft. I still look back on those times with a kind of warm, quiet nostalgia that’s hard to put into words. No game since then has brought back that same feeling of excitement and joy. Until Indiana Jones and the Great Circle came out, and suddenly, it all came rushing back; for the first time in 12 years, I felt like a child again.

To sum things up, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle cast me into a universe that, through its structure and the story written around it, not only feels believable but also lively and dynamic, just like in the movies. No other game in the past 12 years has managed to present game mechanics in such a fun, interesting, and impressive way as Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.

Artistically, it’s one of the most stunning games I’ve ever played. Built on the brilliant Id-Tech engine that I've grown to love since The Evil Within, it delivers a gripping story, memorable characters, and a massive, vibrant world filled to the brim with content. The soundtrack is especially impressive - it honestly sounds like John Williams composed it himself!

This was just a brief summary for anyone curious about my overall thoughts on the game without diving too deep into the details. If you're just looking for a quick impression, you’ve got it right here. But if you're here for my full take on Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, then enjoy the full review; I hope you have a great time reading it!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2677660/

As already mentioned, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is based on the excellent Motor engine, which is a modified fork of the Id-Tech 7 engine owned by Id-Software. It allowed MachineGames to utilize the latest and greatest next-gen technology for this game, and it shows; Indiana Jones and the Great Circle looks absolutely stunning, unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. It's also the very first game to require a Ray Tracing capable graphics card, as RT: Global Illumination is always enabled.

MachineGames has collaborated with Nvidia to implement the latest versions of DLSS 4 Upscaling, Ray Reconstruction and Frame Generation (2X, 3X & 4X), based on their new Transformer model, to the game. While they were at it, they implemented Full Ray Tracing, also known as Path Tracing or RT: Overdrive; though, it pretty much only works on graphics cards with at least 16GB of VRAM.

The game is heavy to run because of the forced Ray Tracing and high-resolution textures, but it’s very well optimized and turning down graphics settings does help a lot to gain back performance, in case your hardware is struggling to keep up.

The story told in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle was written by exceptionally talented individuals who are clearly passionate about the Indiana Jones franchise. Without saying too much, the game takes place in 1937, where Indiana Jones returns to Marshall College after having left his fiancée, Marion. One evening, a giant breaks into his office, steals a cat mummy, and knocks Jones unconscious before escaping. Upon regaining consciousness, Jones notices a medallion that the giant accidentally left behind. It bears a symbol strikingly similar to one found in the Vatican Secret Archives, prompting him to infiltrate Vatican City in search of answers.

From start to finish, the story always continues to impress and remain addictive. There wasn't a single moment that felt too drawn out or unnecessary. Every piece of dialog, every cutscene, and every newspaper article helps to expand the world and move the story told in the game forward.

As one would expect from an Indiana Jones game, the game makes you feel like a true archaeologist with a persistent urge to unravel every mystery you stumble across and experience the most exciting adventures, while only using a journal, a lighter, a camera, and a whip.

Indy can use his whip to disarm enemies, pull them towards him, knock them out, or swing over slopes; the possibilities with the whip are basically endless. You can also level up your strength to participate in fist fights against fascists or use your revolver to end your opponents in a brutal but fast way in case you ever find yourself in bigger trouble.

From the Marshall College to Iraq, you can travel between seven different places across the globe and always decide if you want to continue the story or finish a quest that you weren’t able to get the first time. The game lets you travel back and forth as much as you want in order for you to be able to complete the game when you’re feeling ready. Even though there is no New Game Plus, after you finish the campaign, you can always go back and revisit unfinished quests.

We all already know Indiana Jones or Marcus Brody, but what about the new characters? Well, there are a few that stand out; Gina Lombardi for example, an Italian investigative journalist with an exceptionally witty sense of humor and Indy’s new sidekick. She's a crucial part of the game and helps us to unravel the mystery surrounding the Nephilim and the Great Circle Artifacts.

And then there's Emmerich Voss, the main antagonist in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle; a brilliantly conceived and very convincing character, written with remarkable nuance and psychological depth. His motivations are as chilling as they are believable, making him one of the most memorable villains in recent gaming history. He's brought to life with exceptional intensity by Marios Gavrilis, whose performance in both the German and English versions of the game adds an extra layer of menace and sophistication to an already outstanding portrayal.

Alongside Emmerich Voss, we also got Viktor Gantz, Benito Mussolini, Cesare Ventura, Locus, Antonio Morello, Pailin Chaladphukhealom, and many more side characters who are just as compelling.

The soundtrack of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, composed by Gordy Haab, captures the spirit of the original films so perfectly that, at first, I genuinely thought John Williams himself had worked on it. The atmosphere it creates is breathtaking and stands out as something truly special; it's hard to compare it to anything else in the gaming world. The music does an incredible job of making you feel like you’re right in the middle of an Indiana Jones movie. Gordy Haab’s talent is undeniable, and I can’t wait to hear more of his work in the upcoming Order of Giants story expansion.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle brought back a sense of excitement and joy I hadn’t felt in at least the past 12 years. From its stunning visuals and immersive world to its incredible soundtrack and engaging gameplay, it’s a masterpiece on every level - and without a doubt, my favorite game of all time.

Now, if you enjoyed this review, I’d really appreciate it if you gave it a positive rating; it helps a lot. And if you're interested, I’ve also written a detailed Steam Guide that explains how to unlock the secret tomb underneath the Vatican. Feel free to check it out:

https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3425535510

At just 9 years old, I formed some of my earliest and most meaningful gaming memories with Minecraft. I still look back on those times with a kind of warm, quiet nostalgia that’s hard to put into words. No game since then has brought back that same feeling of excitement and joy. Until Indiana Jones and the Great Circle came out, and suddenly, it all came rushing back; for the first time in 12 years, I felt like a child again. To sum things up, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle cast me into a universe that, through its structure and the story written around it, not only feels believable but also lively and dynamic, just like in the movies. No other game in the past 12 years has managed to present game mechanics in such a fun, interesting, and impressive way as Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. Artistically, it’s one of the most stunning games I’ve ever played. Built on the brilliant Id-Tech engine that I've grown to love since The Evil Within, it delivers a gripping story, memorable characters, and a massive, vibrant world filled to the brim with content. The soundtrack is especially impressive - it honestly sounds like John Williams composed it himself! This was just a brief summary for anyone curious about my overall thoughts on the game without diving too deep into the details. If you're just looking for a quick impression, you’ve got it right here. But if you're here for my full take on Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, then enjoy the full review; I hope you have a great time reading it! https://store.steampowered.com/app/2677660/ [h2]Visuals and Performance[/h2] As already mentioned, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is based on the excellent Motor engine, which is a modified fork of the Id-Tech 7 engine owned by Id-Software. It allowed MachineGames to utilize the latest and greatest next-gen technology for this game, and it shows; Indiana Jones and the Great Circle looks absolutely stunning, unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. It's also the very first game to require a Ray Tracing capable graphics card, as RT: Global Illumination is always enabled. MachineGames has collaborated with Nvidia to implement the latest versions of DLSS 4 Upscaling, Ray Reconstruction and Frame Generation (2X, 3X & 4X), based on their new Transformer model, to the game. While they were at it, they implemented Full Ray Tracing, also known as Path Tracing or RT: Overdrive; though, it pretty much only works on graphics cards with at least 16GB of VRAM. The game is heavy to run because of the forced Ray Tracing and high-resolution textures, but it’s very well optimized and turning down graphics settings does help a lot to gain back performance, in case your hardware is struggling to keep up. [h2]Narrative and Storytelling[/h2] The story told in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle was written by exceptionally talented individuals who are clearly passionate about the Indiana Jones franchise. Without saying too much, the game takes place in 1937, where Indiana Jones returns to Marshall College after having left his fiancée, Marion. One evening, a giant breaks into his office, steals a cat mummy, and knocks Jones unconscious before escaping. Upon regaining consciousness, Jones notices a medallion that the giant accidentally left behind. It bears a symbol strikingly similar to one found in the Vatican Secret Archives, prompting him to infiltrate Vatican City in search of answers. From start to finish, the story always continues to impress and remain addictive. There wasn't a single moment that felt too drawn out or unnecessary. Every piece of dialog, every cutscene, and every newspaper article helps to expand the world and move the story told in the game forward. [h2]Gameplay and Mechanics[/h2] As one would expect from an Indiana Jones game, the game makes you feel like a true archaeologist with a persistent urge to unravel every mystery you stumble across and experience the most exciting adventures, while only using a journal, a lighter, a camera, and a whip. Indy can use his whip to disarm enemies, pull them towards him, knock them out, or swing over slopes; the possibilities with the whip are basically endless. You can also level up your strength to participate in fist fights against fascists or use your revolver to end your opponents in a brutal but fast way in case you ever find yourself in bigger trouble. From the Marshall College to Iraq, you can travel between seven different places across the globe and always decide if you want to continue the story or finish a quest that you weren’t able to get the first time. The game lets you travel back and forth as much as you want in order for you to be able to complete the game when you’re feeling ready. Even though there is no New Game Plus, after you finish the campaign, you can always go back and revisit unfinished quests. [h2]The Introduction of New Characters[/h2] We all already know Indiana Jones or Marcus Brody, but what about the new characters? Well, there are a few that stand out; Gina Lombardi for example, an Italian investigative journalist with an exceptionally witty sense of humor and Indy’s new sidekick. She's a crucial part of the game and helps us to unravel the mystery surrounding the Nephilim and the Great Circle Artifacts. And then there's Emmerich Voss, the main antagonist in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle; a brilliantly conceived and very convincing character, written with remarkable nuance and psychological depth. His motivations are as chilling as they are believable, making him one of the most memorable villains in recent gaming history. He's brought to life with exceptional intensity by Marios Gavrilis, whose performance in both the German and English versions of the game adds an extra layer of menace and sophistication to an already outstanding portrayal. Alongside Emmerich Voss, we also got Viktor Gantz, Benito Mussolini, Cesare Ventura, Locus, Antonio Morello, Pailin Chaladphukhealom, and many more side characters who are just as compelling. [h2]The Soundtrack[/h2] The soundtrack of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, composed by Gordy Haab, captures the spirit of the original films so perfectly that, at first, I genuinely thought John Williams himself had worked on it. The atmosphere it creates is breathtaking and stands out as something truly special; it's hard to compare it to anything else in the gaming world. The music does an incredible job of making you feel like you’re right in the middle of an Indiana Jones movie. Gordy Haab’s talent is undeniable, and I can’t wait to hear more of his work in the upcoming Order of Giants story expansion. [h2]Conclusion[/h2] Indiana Jones and the Great Circle brought back a sense of excitement and joy I hadn’t felt in at least the past 12 years. From its stunning visuals and immersive world to its incredible soundtrack and engaging gameplay, it’s a masterpiece on every level - and without a doubt, my favorite game of all time. Now, if you enjoyed this review, I’d really appreciate it if you gave it a positive rating; it helps a lot. And if you're interested, I’ve also written a detailed Steam Guide that explains how to unlock the secret tomb underneath the Vatican. Feel free to check it out: https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3425535510