Indiana Jones & the Great Circle: Platforms, trailer, release date

After a period of immense quiet surrounding Indiana Jones & the Great Circle, things have finally come into view at Gamescom, as fans finally got confirmation about an official release date and which platforms the title will be on.

A Machine Games-developed Indiana Jones game was announced all the way back at the start of 2021. Since the initial teaser trailer though, not much else was been revealed about what to expect from the game for a long time.

The Xbox Showcase 2024 on June 9 changed that, offering a lengthy look at what players can expect from the game. It features all of the usual fare that fans of the associated movies would come to expect, including perilous situations and over-the-top Nazi antagonists for the ever-rugged Indy to get past.

Gamescom Opening Night Live 2024 went one step further by showing off more gameplay and finally confirmed a release date.

 Release date

Indiana Jones & the Great Circle comes to Xbox Series X|S and PC on December 9, 2024.

After a period of exclusivity, it will launch for PlayStation 5 in Spring, 2025. 

Plot & cast

Indiana Jones & the Great Circle starts when the museum at Marshall College is broken into. Indy, who is working late that night, attempts to thwart the robbery of what appears to be an insignificant artifact but is unsuccessful.

Indy must don his hat and whip once again to set out to find the artifact. In the process, he discovers a mystery larger than he ever could have anticipated.

The adventure takes him across the globe, fighting evil forces in an effort to reclaim the artifact. Along the way, he’s joined by a journalist, Gina, who is trying to solve the mystery of the artifact as well.

Serving as a foil will be new villain Emmett Ross, whom Machine Games call the perfect counterpoint to Indiana Jones. They described him as an “intense, highly intelligent figure.”

For the game, Indiana Jones will be voiced by The Last of Us star Troy Baker. No other voice actors have been announced as of this writing.

Platforms

Indiana Jones & the Great Circle will be released on Xbox Series X|S, PC via Steam. It will then come to PS5 at a later date.

The game will also be coming to Game Pass on day one for those who are subscribed.

As Microsoft’s strategy for games under the Xbox umbrella shifts, with many former exclusives seemingly set to jump across to new platforms, Indy is the latest to arrive on PlayStation.

Originally, a deal was struck between Bethesda and Disney to make the game before Microsoft entered the picture. As we learned through legal hearings, the agreement was specifically for a multiplatform Indiana Jones game, opening the door for PlayStation.

Trailers

At the Developer Direct 2024, the full name of the game was revealed, along with a trailer showcasing the game’s exploration and combat mechanics.

The trailer was accompanied by a more in-depth behind-the-scenes discussion, which showcased how they went about capturing the authentic feel of an Indiana Jones adventure.

Next, a trailer at the Xbox Showcase 2024 shows off a much more extensive look at the gameplay and story.

Then, at Gamescom, the reveal trailer goes behind the scenes with Troy Baker to learn more about his portrayal of Indiana Jones and shares more gameplay footage.

Gameplay and features

Indiana Jones & the Full Circle gameplay will blend action, stealth, and exploration. The gameplay gives players the freedom to decide how they want to approach situations, be it going in guns blazing or attempting to sneak past enemies.

The game will primarily be from a first-person perspective and aims to put an equal focus on exploration and action, just like a true Indiana Jones adventure. The camera will also adjust during exploration segments, pulling back to a third-person view to show Indy in action.

A major component of the gameplay will be Indy’s trademark bullwhip. The whip can be used in combat, but also functions as a traversal item. For players aiming to be a little sneaker, the sound of the whip’s crack can be used to distract guards, allowing Indy to slip past guarded areas.

The first-person perspective shouldn’t be a surprise. Machine Games, who are best known for the Wolfenstein reboot and its sequel, are revered for their work with First Person Shooters.

Of course, franchises like Tomb Raider and Uncharted, have carried the mantle of Indiana Jones in the gaming medium with a third-person adventure, so some fans may be disappointed. However, the first gameplay trailers don’t seem to indicate Indy will be held back by first-person, with some huge set pieces on display.

When does Bethesda’s Indiana Jones take place?

On the game’s website, Bethesda explains that this new adventure will take place at the “height of the career of the famed adventurer.” Sorry, Young Indiana Jones, you’ll have to sit this one out.

During the January 18 Developer Direct, it was revealed that Indiana Jones & the Great Circle will take place between Raiders of the Lost Ark and Temple of Doom. Specifically, the game takes place in 1937.

That’s everything we know about Indiana Jones & the Great Circle so far! While you wait, check out our hubs on other upcoming games such as Grand Theft Auto 6,  Monster Hunter Wilds, and Dune: Awakening.