Indiana Jones and the Great Circle PS5 review: A perfect Uncharted successor

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is, perhaps rather expectedly, a stellar addition to the PlayStation 5. MachineGames’ action-adventure title fared well with critics and players alike when it debuted on Xbox Series X/S and PC late last year, so this port was hardly ever going to disappoint. That being said, I’d go as far as saying that my expectations have been exceeded.

Launch bugs have been ironed out, and MachineGames could just as well have left things there and this port still would have been an improvement upon the original release. Instead though, developers have made use of the PlayStation 5’s unique features to create a tailored experience that places you even more so at the heart of this adventure, boosting the immersion further which I simply didn’t think was possible.

If you’re unfamiliar with the premise, players will assume the role of famed archaeologist Indiana Jones in the year 1937. Mysterious and sinister forces are searching the globe for the secret to an ancient power connected to something known as the Great Circle and it’s, of course, up to you as Indy to put a stop to these malevolent plans. This is a single-player, first-person adventure that’ll set you trotting off across the globe, from the Vatican City - a real highlight of a location - to Gizeh.

You can take a look at Indiana Jones and the Great Circle in action below.

I don’t simply want to rehash what is brilliant about the game as that’s already been extensively covered in our original review. GAMINGbible awarded the original release a score of nine, writing, “Indiana Jones and the Great Circle has fortune and glory in spades. In the words of Indy, ‘If you wanna be a good archaeologist, you gotta get out of the library!’ This homage, lovingly crafted by MachineGames, takes you on the adventure of a lifetime, not as a casual viewer but as the intrepid explorer himself.”

We continued, “You’ll see the world through Indy’s eyes, experiencing his thirst for knowledge and treasure that’s never quite sated. We become a part of the mysticism that bubbles beneath the surface of the mundane, allowing us a tangible insight into the life of an adventurer many of us have admired since childhood. MachineGames, I tip my hat to you. You put everything into this. Not just your industry experience but your passion for Indiana Jones also, culminating in a breathtaking love letter to the valiant hero.”

That’s a wonderful summation of why this story is so special; I adore the Indiana Jones films, but I had never felt as if I was a part of Indy’s world myself until I played The Great Circle. The sense of adventure here is palpable, and whether I was disarming Nazis with the crack of a whip or solving ancient puzzles, I truly felt that I was the catalyst at the heart of this tale. That’s exhilarating for those of us who have long-adored this character.

As is also stated in our original review, combat is incredibly accessible: “An arsenal of weapons are at your disposal. In fact, Indy is like Xbox in that anything can be a weapon if you want it to be – a glass bottle, hammer, plunger, and even a guitar.” I will add that weapons do break down, and you are given the option to repair them but it’s hardly frustrating because five steps on and you’ll usually have found a new candlestick or baton to thump at an enemy’s head. I also appreciated that whilst there are segments where it’s encouraged that you take a stealthy approach, it’s not necessary by any means. I attempted stealth, I failed, and so I took out every fascist in the vicinity with a shovel which I’d argue was much more rewarding.

I’m glad the game did offer that freedom because if I had to have a gripe with Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, it’s that stealth is unpredictable and difficult to maintain. From time to time, I’d be crouched behind a wall but if an NPC was within so many feet albeit on the other side of the wall, they’d somehow still be able to sense me. Perhaps they could smell my cologne, I don’t know, but it’s for this reason that I tended to just opt for the gung-ho method.

Credit / Bethesda Softworks

There’s really little else I can fault. The story is incredibly engaging, and the locations are a wonder to explore. One of the first and largest locations you’ll visit is the Vatican City. It's a true marvel, packed with side discoveries. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle will direct you on through the main story, but there’s plenty else to this adventure. Pay attention to, say, a random document and it may lead you to discover a secret crypt, a lost artifact, or a fat stack of cash. There’s a real sense of achievement that comes with making a discovery if you step away from the beaten path, and all of this content is available to pick up post-endgame, so you don’t have to worry about being locked out of anything.

I was surprised at just how much Indiana Jones and the Great Circle leans into horror, but it does add some much needed tension and risk to this tale. I don’t want to put anyone off; I am coming at this as a certified scaredy-cat, so bear that in mind. I’d be lying though if I said my heebies weren’t jeebied on several occasions. If you’ve played that dimly lit boss fight … you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about.

As for those PlayStation 5 enhancements I mentioned, you’ll feel Indy’s world much more intensely here via the DualSense controller. Whether it’s a rifle you’re firing or the iconic whip being cracked, each weapon has its own unique weight and resistance that registers via the newly added haptic feedback. The developers have also gone to great lengths to make use of the controller’s lightbar. If you are attempting stealth, it’ll begin glowing yellow if an NPC begins to notice your presence which I found massively helpful. Elsewhere, it’ll glow red if you’re low on health or flash green whilst you heal. These changes are arguably less game-changing but still welcomed boosts of immersion nonetheless. And again, those launch bugs are nowhere to be seen. My playthrough was incredibly smooth.

If, like me, you’ve been mourning the fact that the PlayStation 5 era is the first generation in 18 years not to receive a new Uncharted game, and that’s only because the franchise didn’t exist during the days of the PlayStation 2, you should find a sense of home in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. The two franchises certainly have their unique quirks; The Great Circle’s first-person approach and melee based combat adds a close-quarters intensity that’s not really felt in Naughty Dog's third-person gun-slinging version of the action-adventure formula. I’m not trying to start a debate over which is better; instead, it simply feels worth pointing out that this is the perfect game to pick up if you have been feeling the gaping chasm that Uncharted has left behind in the PlayStation roster that’s so far gone unfulfilled.

Credit / Bethesda Softworks

Indiana Jones and The Great Circle is, quite frankly, one of the best action-adventure games I’ve ever played. Microsoft’s multi-platform strategy may have initially appeared quite jarring to some, but it should be seen as a gift. MachineGames have crafted a first rate experience here. From its riveting puzzles to its sprawling exploration, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is a treat to experience, and one that has been wonderfully enhanced with added immersion for the PlayStation audience. The more people that play this exceptional title, the better - and that’s exactly what’s now been made possible.

Pros: Stunning locations to explore, great puzzles, engaging story, fun combat

Cons: Stealth can be a bit tricky but it’s also not enforced

For fans of: Uncharted, Tomb Raider

9/10: Exceptional

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle launches on 17 April on PlayStation 5 (version tested), and it is already available via Xbox Series X/S and PC. A review code was provided by the publisher. Read a guide to our review scores here.