The anticipation for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is reaching new heights as MachineGames released a detailed 15-minute gameplay preview. Set to launch on December 9 for Xbox and PC (and arriving on PS5 in spring 2025), this new title aims to capture the essence of Indiana Jones’s adventurous spirit in a way fans haven’t seen before. Developed by the team behind Wolfenstein, The Great Circle introduces a mix of treasure hunting, cryptic puzzles, and hand-to-hand combat with a cinematic flair true to Indy’s classic adventures.

In this upcoming action-adventure game, players will navigate exotic and treacherous locales, from the ruins of Sukhothai to Egyptian pyramids and the snowy Himalayas. Set in 1937, the story takes place between Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Last Crusade, immersing players in Indy’s world as he faces formidable foes and seeks out an ancient relic tied to a mysterious power. What stands out in The Great Circle is its gameplay depth. While most of the game is in first-person, it shifts to third-person for certain actions like climbing and specific cutscenes, adding variety to the player’s perspective and a more dynamic feel.

Combat and puzzle-solving are seamlessly integrated, making use of Indy’s iconic whip for both offense and traversal. Hand-to-hand combat looks intense, with a “boxing game” style of brawling that can be paired with whip attacks, giving players a chance to pull enemies in close, similar to Scorpion’s “Get over here!” move from Mortal Kombat. Players can also photograph key clues using a retro camera, adding layers to puzzle mechanics and exploration. This feature is particularly reminiscent of classic adventure games like Uncharted and Tomb Raider, adding a familiar yet fresh experience to Indy’s journey.

For those interested in diving deeper, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle also include a progression system where players can earn “Adventure Points.” This system allows players to customize Indy’s abilities to help him tackle increasingly dangerous challenges as he faces off against Nazi adversaries. Enhanced by cutting-edge graphics technology like NVIDIA‘s full ray tracing and DLSS 3.5, the game promises stunning visuals and detailed environments that will immerse players in the world of 1930s archaeological intrigue.

As one of Xbox’s biggest exclusives of the year, alongside titles like Starfield: Shattered Space and Hellblade II, The Great Circle is gearing up to fill a unique spot in adventure gaming, especially for those craving a rich, story-driven experience. Fans of Indiana Jones and action-adventure games should keep an eye on this release—it’s shaping up to be a game worthy of Indy’s iconic fedora and whip.