Indiana Jones and the Great Circle taking shape for PC and Xbox

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Announcements by Jack Allin
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First gameplay revealed for cinematic first-person action-adventure due out later this year

We've know for almost three years that a new Indiana Jones game was in the works at MachineGames, creators of the most recent Wolfenstein shooters, to be published by Bethesda Softworks. What we didn't know was ... everything else. Until today, that is, when the first video footage and game details of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle were unveiled.

The story is set in 1937, between the movie events of Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Last Crusade. Having fallen asleep on campus at Marshall College, Professor Henry Jones, Jr. awakens to the sounds of a break-in. Too late, Indy witnesses a "mysterious giant of a man" making off with a seemingly insignificant historical artifact. Intrigued by the purpose of the theft, the legendary archeologist and "obtainer of rare antiquities" sets off for the Vatican in pursuit of answers, only to find himself swept up in a worldwide conspiracy in which "sinister forces are scouring the globe for the secret to an ancient power connected to the Great Circle."

Along the way he'll join forces with a determined investigative reporter named Gina, who has personal reasons for wanting to get to the bottom of the mystery before a manipulative, highly intelligent villain obsessed with learning to master control of the human mind. In a "dynamic mix of linear, narrative-driven gameplay and open-area maps," the pair will explore stunning, authentically accurate environments, from Thailand's forgotten temples of Sukhothai, to the pyramids of ancient Egypt, to the snow-peaked Himalaya mountains, accompanied by an original soundtrack that captures the essence of John Williams' iconic scores.

The game features the likeness of a younger Harrison Ford as Indy (although voiced by Troy Baker), but he'll rarely be visible on-screen. In a major departure from previous Indiana Jones games, this one will be played from a first-person perspective, thrusting players directly into the action in between more cinematic moments captured in third-person. And there will certainly be action, as this no traditional adventure like the beloved Fate of Atlantis, offering a hybrid blend of melee combat, stealth and gunplay.

But there will be plenty of puzzles as well – many of them optional and hidden off the main path – as the developers are eager to maintain the "spirit of discovery" that has always characterized the franchise. Indy, after all, is known for his "keen intellect, cunning resourcefulness, and trademark humor" as much as his whip-cracking physical prowess. The whip will be a major part of your arsenal, of course, but with the freedom to approach most obstacles as you wish, you can choose to use it as a means of movement, or as a distraction, or even as a weapon. You can shoot first and ask questions later, so to speak, but the developers believe that players will "have more fun and ... a more genuine Indy experience by finding more clever ways to solve a problem."

For a more in-depth look at what to expect, including nostalgic Indiana Jones staples like zeppelins, Nazis, jungles, archeological dig sites, rope bridges, deadly traps and fistfights against hulking brutes, be sure to check out the extended video from the Xbox Developer Direct reveal. And hold onto your fedora, as the full game is coming soon. No release date has been announced just yet, but Indiana Jones and the Great Circle will be arriving later this year on Steam for PC, as well as Xbox Series X|S on the Microsoft Store and Game Pass.