Topic: Indiana Jones and the Great Circle --OT--

So after much waiting one of 2024 biggest games is out. I figured a thread would be nice where we can discuss stuff about the game, help each if we get stuck.

Just be warned there may be spoilers ahead.

I have been playing it for a few hours now and will say I am enjoying it alot. Definitely captures the Indy vibe. This game will probably end up being my GotY.

I like different genres and high levels of action, but Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is a refreshing game that takes me back to other rare masterpieces, with its emphasis on stealth and solving mysteries. Combat is much better than I expected and suits Indiana Jones, voiced by an excellent actor. If you hit an enemy with something, he might change his behaviour and his facial expression. It's fun to parry with one hand and punch with the other, and using improvised weapons. Obviously, it's not a shooter. I like them, but we have enough of them!

The puzzles are quite challenging and make you think, if you don't turn the easy settings on. There are also interesting ways to use the map and items, in a more immersive way than most games. I'm not the biggest fan of first-person view besides shooters, but in this game it works nicely and you can still see your character quite often. The soundtrack is magnificent. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is a masterpiece in an ocean of recycled games and ideas.

My first minor complaint is that you can't knock dogs out. They bite nastily. [EDIT: You can scare them with the whip.] I like the improvised weapons mechanics and I don't think they are intended to be carried for a long time, but it's strange how you drop them for some actions but not others. Indiana could use the other hand if what he's going to pick up is small. Performance outside cutscenes is flawless.

@Banjo- I don't think I have fired a single bullet yet. I agree that the improvised weapons is such a blast that I really don't want to use my gun, I suppose at some point I will.

I will say the first person view is great too.it really helps.with the stealth sections which I thought would be annoying and frustrating like Assasins Creed. Also I like the little nods to Raiders of the Lost Ark that are in the game. Also a big thing I like is how there are so many ways you can go through a level to get to your goal definitely a big plus for replayability.

Definitely very pleased with this game.

Played about an hour and a half last night and I already know I’m going to really like this game. Opening with a recreation of raiders was brilliant and properly set up the excitement level, I was like is that bloody Alfred Molina?! 😂

I spent ages in the college just exploring and trying to find everything I could. The environments are so lovingly created and detailed they’re just screaming to be explored. As others have mentioned the ability to pick up almost anything as a weapon makes the stealth and combat thrilling.

It feels like an age since we’ve had a game like this, it feels from another time in a really good way. Very happy so far!

So played about 5 hours today and spent most of it in the Vatican and that was mainly due to all the side quests and collectibles. At first I told myself just stick to the main story but it's just to damn fun exploring everything. I will be honest I am playing on the easiest difficulty mainly cause I just wanted to enjoy the story. This game is going to keep me busy for awhile.

@PeaceSalad Such an awesome way to do a tutorial level. I will admit I was confused at first. I was like wait what I thought this was an original story why are we playing Raiders. I thought this takes place after Raiders not during. Lol

I have put about 4hrs into it and I am loving everything about it. It does a great job of making you feel like Indy. They really did their homework with this one.
If it was not released so late into the year, this would have been a GotY contender for the Game Awards.

@Tasuki As fan service goes I can’t remember a more classy way of going about it. Chefs kiss.

Remember that you can return to the college and any area pressing the View button and selecting Travels if you have already left an area. Use the camera whenever you see the icon to find clues and extra points. Find books to upgrade your character. Don't stop until you find the Blackshirt uniform!

The game is full of secrets worth revealing. I love how it combines open areas with classic challenges. It's a wonderful adventure, but goes beyond what adventure games usually do. Perfect candidate for game of the year!

@Banjo- Agree it is definitely my GotY for 2024. It's really a breath of fresh air gaming wise. Thats good to know that you can go back to areas that you moved on from, I was actually wondering that because as I said before I am in the Vatican, and I know am I missing a bunch of stuff. I cant wait to come home tonight and play a few hours after work.

@Tasuki Right. It's more and better than I expected. I feared it would be more linear with scripted gameplay like Uncharted, but it's the opposite. Even combat is flexible.

So, go back to the college and pick up the ten notes there. Then, stay at the Vatican and check your map, the fieldwork, etc. The information there is very useful while exploring.

I finally left the Vatican after about 8 hours spent there. There is so much content in this game and it’s all meaningful and well done. I love this game and it’s clearly (to me) a GoTY contender. It also has me very excited for what MachineGames does with the next Wolfenstein game.

@Banjo- Not just combat is flexible but how you move around the levels too. I have noticed that there are so many side paths and such to get from point a to b. For example there's the direct route through the guards either by fighting them or stealth, but then I found ways like climbing and using the whip to get around, to side passages that aren't as guarded or even locked that with some exploration you can find a key. So it seems that even if you replay you may not have the same experience twice. As for the college I did get all 10 notes already before I left it. I have a habit of checking everything and going everywhere when I first play a game. Which is why I have spent so much time in the Vatican.

@Kraven I have only played the newest Wolfenstein games a bit but now I want to give them another try.
Even doing the side quests in Indy are alot of fun and don't feel like a chore like some games.

@Tasuki Yeah, the side quests feel just as important, if not more so, than the main narrative. The side content is very integral to the overall experience, and I’d say you’re missing out on the best parts of the game because you will lose out on emotional story beats if you don’t do the side stuff.

@Tasuki Right, there are many ways to explore the places, so it doesn't become boring, because you could try another way to get inside a building, for instance, before and after getting the Blackshirt uniform. I have played Machine Games' Wolfenstein games, but this is the best they have ever done. You said that you haven't used the revolver. I haven't either, I used an enemy's weapon when I left the Vatican, but I came back immediately to do the optional content.

@Kraven Like you said, the optional quests are as interesting or more as the main and everything is connected. This game feels real and rewarding in an usual way. It gives choices, it let the player... play.

This is the sequel to Escape from Butcher Bay I've been waiting half my life for. If y'all didn't experience that classic, it's the same loop like indie. The interconnected level design is so so good.

It's absolutely gorgeous and the 'issues' which have been raised are more of a feature. The enemies are placed in a way to make difficult sections serious head scratches. I've had a few shootouts too, maybe the higher difficulty adds this in.

@Banjo- @Kraven @Tasuki @ZeD @PeaceSalad glad you are all enjoying it crew. I have been mildly disappointed with the Xbox output. But this game has literally turned the behemoth around. In my opinion it's on par with what Sony produced minute by minute with GoW and HZD minus the crazy bosses, with a lifelike engrossing and realistic experience.

It's my GOTY, ahead of Tekken and Baltaro.

@themcnoisy It's crazy that they managed to combine the high production value with so expansive gameplay. I'm glad that you're enjoying it, too. It's also my Game of the Year. Are you all playing on Series X?

Let's put this video here, the best review I found.

Easily my game of the year. I think Indy sounding like Indy is awesome and the other cameos are great.
hopefully they make another. One of the best parts about this is they could make several and Indy never gets old.