Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

 Xbox Series X
Metascore
86

Generally favorable reviews - based on 77 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 71 out of 77
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 77
  3. Negative: 1 out of 77
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  1. GRYOnline.pl
    Jan 15, 2025
    70
    The new Indiana Jones is a game that would rock my world in 2014. Today it’s a game that struggles technologically (Uncharted 4 looks better) and gameplay-wise, with some additional issues. Still, I can’t help but like this game. I see all the flaws (some were really irritating), but I liked the puzzles, the protagonist and some very cool scenes. I had a lot of fun, and my main issue – regarding the immersion-breaking AI – is very personal.
  2. GameCritics
    Jan 2, 2025
    70
    Ultimately, it feels as though Indy is having something of an identity crisis. On the one hand, the freedom and agency offered in the latter two-thirds of the world design and free-flowing combat embraces the character in a way that previous digital incarnations haven’t. On the other, stilted puzzle design and a stubborn resistance to its own structure, particularly in the early stages, holds Indiana Jones and the Great Circle back from true greatness.
  3. MMORPG.com
    Dec 5, 2024
    70
    Ultimately, Indiana Jones And The Great Circle comes out greater than the sum of its parts. The story kept my interest throughout, no doubt aided by the stellar voicework all around. Exploring these big areas and searching every nook and cranny for a hidden tomb or lost relic is a ton of fun, and solving puzzles gives your brain a challenge at the same time – jank and all.
  5. Noisy Pixel
    Dec 5, 2024
    70
    Indiana Jones and the Great Circle captures the spirit of adventure with nostalgic puzzles, richly detailed environments, and thrilling set pieces. While it stumbles with lackluster AI and clunky item management, its charm and sense of discovery make it a rewarding journey for fans of the iconic archaeologist.
  6. Pure Xbox
    Dec 5, 2024
    60
    Ever since we caught wind of MachineGames making an Indiana Jones title, we've been very excited by the prospect, but ultimately - we're a little disappointed in the final product. The overall experience isn't bad, and it successfully sells the Indiana Jones fantasy, but the gameplay elements here just don't match up to the vibe of a fun-time Indy adventure. The pacing is all out-of-whack, the open stealth-driven levels don't work in the context of an Indiana Jones romp, and the game just feels at odds with itself overall. We're always up for trying something different and for teams breaking genre tropes, but in the end, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is at its most fun in fleeting moments - which is a shame considering the amount of care and attention that's been put into adapting this famous old franchise.
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  1. CNET
    Mar 26, 2025
    If you can get through the more monotonous parts of The Great Circle's gameplay, there's a fun story to experience with fantastic character writing, voice acting and music. This is one of those instances where you prefer watching the cutscenes to playing the actual game because MachineGames did everything just right. I mentioned earlier about the comparison to Uncharted, and when it comes to presentation, it is right there with it. When you factor in if the game is fun to play, the Great Circle can't compete.
  2. Kotaku
    Dec 10, 2024
    I recommend that everyone who loves immersive sims and mechanically rich stealth-action games play Great Circle. It’s one of the best games Bethesda has ever published, and I’m happy this thing will be on PS5 next year so more people can experience it.
  3. The Verge
    Dec 5, 2024
    Machinegames went topsy turvy with its game design. Its most interesting moments, like a knockdown, drag out fight with the main villain that happens midgame, were rendered as cutscenes. Meanwhile the less interesting bits are actions you have to perform. This certainly matches beat-for-beat the kind of stuff Indy gets up to in the movies. But those already exist, and I can watch them any time. The Great Circle is missing something more important: a reason this adventure needed to be a game.
  5. Xboxygen
    Dec 6, 2024
    Nothing ever goes according to plan with Indiana Jones. Each of his adventures is full of surprises, both good and bad. The Great Circle follows in the footsteps of the archaeologist's first episodes, thanks to its captivating story. Events unfold at a pace that oscillates between intense combat and moments where patience is required to solve the puzzles. Thanks to a brilliant accessibility mechanic and the precious memories it conjures up, one feels like stumbling upon the jewel of a lost ark. There is nothing revolutionary about the gameplay mechanics, but it is this lack of originality that makes the game so strong. Unfortunately, the picture quickly darkens when you realise that the Xbox version suffers from a number of technical liabilities. On top of that, there are a number of glitches, including the whip that hindered our progress inside a cursed temple. There really isn't much missing for MachineGames to turn this episode into a benchmark for the genre. Believe us, we are ready to throw ourselves into one last crusade to defend this title!