Buckle up, adventurers—Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is getting a thrilling makeover just in time for MachineGames' 15th anniversary! This update builds on last year's release and its recent DLC, injecting fresh excitement into the iconic archaeologist's latest escapade. But here's where it gets controversial: is this enough to reignite the spark for fans who felt the original game fell short? Stick around to dive into the details and decide for yourself.
Let's start with the headline-grabbing feature: New Game Plus mode. For those new to gaming lingo, this is like hitting the reset button on your adventure but with a major upgrade—you get to bring over your hard-earned Adventure Books, unspent Adventure Points (the in-game currency), and even those precious Medicine Bottles from your first playthrough. Imagine replaying the story with all your progress intact, unlocking new layers of exploration without starting from scratch. And this is the part most people miss: finishing the game again in this mode reveals a completely fresh ending after the credits roll, offering a deeper dive into Indy's world that could change how you view the narrative. It's a nod to replayability that rewards dedicated players, but does it truly add value, or is it just a clever way to extend playtime?
Next up, a stylish addition straight from the classics: the Cairo outfit. Drawing inspiration from Indy's jacket-free appearance in Raiders of the Lost Ark, this new look lets you channel that iconic, rugged explorer vibe. Picture Indy navigating ancient ruins without the bulky jacket—it's not just cosmetic; it ties into the game's immersive storytelling, making you feel even more like the legendary hero.
Language lovers, rejoice! The update introduces flexible options for voice acting and subtitles, allowing you to mix and match languages to suit your preferences. Whether you're brushing up on a new tongue or just prefer hearing the dialogue in your native language while reading subtitles in another, this customization enhances accessibility and immersion for a global audience.
All these enhancements drop on October 10th across Xbox Series X/S, PC, and PS5, alongside a slew of bug fixes and tweaks that polish the experience. These aren't just minor patches—they address real frustrations that could have derailed your quests, ensuring smoother gameplay for everyone. For instance, imagine grappling with an enemy only to have them freeze in a weird animation; these fixes prevent that, keeping the action flowing naturally. And for beginners, think of it like fine-tuning a classic car: small adjustments make the whole ride more enjoyable.
Here's a breakdown of the key fixes:
General Fixes
- Resolved a glitch where foes might get stuck in a 'stumble' pose if punched during a grab escape.
- Corrected an issue where shoving a seized enemy into a cramped spot could detach them from Indy while keeping the grab animation active.
- Adjusted a particular finishing move animation to stop the camera from awkwardly passing through Indy's limbs.
- Fixed a problem allowing entry into tight wall passages while incapacitated and using the 'Lucky Hat' ability, which could leave you upright but stuck.
- Prevented potential control freezes when reloading a checkpoint mid-save.
- Ensured pressing the 'push' button on disguised doors doesn't block your ability to pass through afterward.
- Addressed a bug where holding an inventory item upon exiting a level would keep it glued to your hands on return.
Missions & Quests
- In the DLC, corrected pipe placements in the Gladiator puzzle that might have been off.
- Smoothed out the animation of a blackshirt dropping from a bridge near the Gladiator puzzle entrance.
- Cleared up numerous small visual hiccups throughout the storyline.
Peru
- Restored missing audio in the main menu if you exited during the intro cinematic.
Gizeh
- Made sure villager NPCs' clothing animates properly as they move.
Sukhothai
- Stopped boat engine noises from looping endlessly upon arriving at the night-time rebel village.
Iraq
- Fixed siren sounds that wouldn't cease if you skipped the scene where Indy rescues Gina.
UI
- Now displays accurate prices for guides and books when checking vendor inventories.
PC Specific Fixes
- Resolved conflicts when assigning the interact/use key to match the vendor 'buy' button, which could block purchases.
- Prevented objects from appearing entirely black when reflections are set to the lowest quality.
Localization
- In Arabic, aligned the quick-inventory warning about restricted areas correctly.
Oh, and let's not forget the DLC: The Order of Giants, which dropped in September, expands the plot but doesn't introduce significant gameplay changes. It's like a short story extension—enjoyable for the narrative, but some argue it feels like a condensed version of the main game, raising questions about whether it's worth the extra investment. Is this DLC a missed opportunity for deeper mechanics, or does the story alone make it worthwhile?
What do you think, fellow explorers? Does this anniversary update breathe new life into Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, or is it just surface-level polish? Do you agree that New Game Plus and the alternate ending add real replay value, or should MachineGames have focused on bigger overhauls? Share your opinions in the comments—let's discuss!
