Yet, MachineGames felt brave enough to face such obstacles, arguably channelling the legendary archaeologist himself. As its launch date draws near, the question on everyone’s lips is whether such a gamble has paid off.
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I don’t wish to put the cart before the horse, as the saying goes, but it seems MachineGames have pulled it off.
Throughout my time withIndiana Jones and the Great Circle, I kept experiencing waves of nostalgia. Even though Troy Baker’s voice isn’t quite pitch-perfect, it certainly has the same cadence of Ford. Armed with that crucial lure, the game continues to reel you in. Once you hear composer Gordy Haab’s version of the original score, you can’t help but succumb to Indy’s charms.
It’s time for a new adventure inIndiana Jones and the Great Circle
Visually speaking, this Bethesda title looks sensational. We’ve become accustomed to Bethesda products being a little rough around the edges, yet what I saw here was a largely polished piece. The depth of colour, attention to detail, and the care taken to create environments that feel authentically tangible, help you on your transition from observer to active participant.
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This fluidity translates into the mechanics of the game and of Indy himself. For the most part,Indiana Jones and the Great Circleis a first-person experience, designed to allow you to become this iconic character. During the moments when Indy is running from danger, or attempting to break his fall, the stakes feel much higher because of that first-person perspective. There’s a genuine sense of jeopardy.
However, there are portions of the game when the perspective is pulled back and we receive a third-person view of the moment. It’s not exactly jarring – the developers have tried to make these transitions as smooth as possible – but it’s a curious choice to go between one and the other. Although only momentary, it takes you out of the atmosphere of the scene. Perhaps it will feel different when actually playing the game, however, the perspective of the title is sure to encourage heated discussions following its release.
One subject that won’t prove divisive is the curiosityIndiana Jones and the Great Circleprovokes. This story-driven adventure takes Indy’s passion for history and embeds it into every tool he uses, every character he meets, and all the side streets you can venture down. To that end, exploration isn’t just rewarded, it’s vital.
We need to think like Indy; be that reaching for our journal to note down an important discovery or take a quick photograph to learn more about our surroundings. Despite the whip being the item we most associate with the protagonist, it’s these other tools that so expertly shape the world of the game. As the developers explained during a Q&A, the journal “acts as the guide”; it’s an invaluable item that shouldn’t be underutilised. The same can be said of the camera, too.
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In many instances, Indy will be able to think his way out of a problem rather than resorting to violence. This is where elements from other game franchises start to be more prominently noticeable. Disguises, for example, immediately made me think of Hit Man. Even though we’re not carrying out assassinations like Agent 47, having to stealth our way through an area dressed as someone else is very reminiscent of that series.
A further franchise that crossed my mind on more than one occasion while watching the gameplay was Dishonoured. You can go in guns blazing, swinging your whip around, but you can also choose to distract and subdue your enemies instead. I’m not one for stealth – I’m too heavy handed, and thus I’m spotted almost immediately. Still, the fact that you can choose to take a more pacifist route is a nice addition. After all, Indy may not mind punching Nazis, but he’s hardly a quote-unquote killer.
Each component, and various others that offer a subtler impact, all culminate in an experience thatfeelslike the 80s films. The developers have done an outstanding job of being accurate to the period the game is set (in the 1930s), while also invoking that 80s nostalgia. ConsideringIndiana Jones and the Great Circleis set afterRaiders of the Lost Ark, it makes creative sense to enhance those retro Indiana Jones elements.
Topics:Preview,Bethesda
