Indiana Jones and the Great Circle – Fortune, Glory, and a Whole Lot of Nazi Punching

There's something deeply satisfying about cracking a whip across a Nazi's jaw in handheld mode. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, developed by MachineGames and brought to Nintendo Switch 2 by way of its Xbox origins, is a first-person action-adventure that puts you squarely behind the fedora of cinema's most beloved archaeologist. Set between Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Last Crusade, the game sends Indy globetrotting across ancient ruins, Vatican catacombs, and sun-scorched deserts in pursuit of a mystery tied to a ancient power connected by a "Great Circle" spanning the globe. Having now played through it on Switch 2, I can confidently say this is one of the strongest licensed games in recent memory — and a worthy addition to the Indy canon.

Wokeness: 0.0

This is Indiana Jones doing what Indiana Jones does — solving ancient puzzles, outsmarting villains, and punching Nazis into next week. The game doesn't inject modern political messaging or shoehorn in agenda-driven narratives. The cast is diverse in the way a globe-trotting 1930s adventure naturally would be, with characters who feel authentic to the setting rather than tokenized. MachineGames clearly respected the source material and kept the focus squarely on delivering a rollicking adventure. No complaints here whatsoever.

Gameplay: 8.5

The Great Circle blends first-person exploration, stealth, puzzle-solving, and combat into a package that genuinely feels like playing an Indiana Jones film. The puzzles are the star here — clever, multi-layered environmental challenges that reward observation and lateral thinking without ever feeling obtuse. Combat is weighty and satisfying, with the whip serving as both a traversal tool and a weapon. Stealth sections offer flexibility, letting you choose between sneaking past guards or going in swinging. The Switch 2 controls translate well, though aiming in handheld mode can occasionally feel slightly less precise than on other platforms. My only gripe is that some later levels funnel you into combat encounters that feel at odds with the otherwise exploration-heavy design.

Story: 8.5

MachineGames nailed the tone. The narrative feels like a lost Indiana Jones film — a globe-spanning mystery with genuine intrigue, memorable supporting characters, and a villain you love to hate. Troy Baker's performance as Indy is remarkably convincing, capturing Harrison Ford's cadence and dry wit without descending into parody. The story weaves historical conspiracy with supernatural mysticism in exactly the way the films do, and the pacing keeps you moving from setpiece to setpiece without overstaying its welcome. It doesn't quite reach the emotional heights of The Last Crusade, but it sits comfortably alongside the best of the franchise's expanded universe storytelling.

Graphics: 8.5

The Switch 2 port is impressive given the scope of the game. Environments are richly detailed, with ancient temples and bustling marketplaces that feel alive and atmospheric. Character models are solid, and the lighting — particularly in torch-lit underground sequences — creates genuinely cinematic moments. There are compromises, naturally. Texture pop-in is noticeable in larger open areas, draw distances are reduced compared to the Xbox Series X version, and some cutscenes show visible compression. But in motion, especially in handheld mode, this is a gorgeous game that punches well above what you'd expect from a portable experience.

Audio: 9.5

From the moment that iconic John Williams theme swells during the title screen, you know the audio team understood the assignment. The original score complements the classic motifs beautifully, and the sound design is top-tier — the crack of the whip, the echo of footsteps in cavernous ruins, the ambient hum of jungle wildlife. Voice acting across the board is excellent, with Troy Baker's Indy anchoring every scene. The Switch 2's speakers handle the mix surprisingly well, though headphones are the way to experience this one fully.

Replayability: 7.5

The campaign clocks in at a meaty 15-20 hours depending on how thoroughly you explore, and there are collectibles, optional puzzles, and hidden areas that reward return visits. However, the linear narrative structure means subsequent playthroughs won't offer dramatically different experiences. There's no New Game Plus or alternate difficulty modes that meaningfully remix encounters. You'll likely revisit favorite chapters for the spectacle, but this is primarily a one-and-done adventure — albeit an exceptional one.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is exactly what a licensed game should be — a love letter to its source material that stands confidently on its own merits. MachineGames brought the same craftsmanship they honed with the Wolfenstein series and channeled it into something more adventurous and joyful. On Switch 2, it's a technical achievement and a must-play for anyone who's ever dreamed of donning the fedora. It belongs in a museum? No — it belongs in your library.