Latest news with #GreatCircle
Gizmodo
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
David Leitch
'Indiana Jones and the Great Circle' Made Me Fall in Love With the Franchise All Over Again 5/15/2025, 5:20 pm
Gizmodo
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
‘Indiana Jones and the Great Circle' Made Me Fall in Love With the Franchise All Over Again
A plane flies off into the sunset, John Williams' unforgettable theme blares out of the speakers, and a tear streams down my face. When I finished playing Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, I felt like I did back in 1989 when Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade came to theaters. I'd just seen an incredible Indiana Jones story. One I'd never forget. Except, this time, I was Indy. When Bethesda and Lucasfilm first announced they were making an Indiana Jones video game in 2021, I was incredibly excited. Even though I've been a massive Indy fan for as long as I can remember, I'd never played an Indy video game. Or, at least, never played an Indy game I felt any connection to. I hoped this was it, but since I don't have an Xbox or PC, I was forced to wait five more months than everyone else. When Great Circle first released, io9 editor James Whitbrook played the game and found it very frustrating. His headline reading 'Every Moment You're Playing Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Feels Like Torture' was more than concerning. It was terrifying. Was this Crystal Skull all over again? So, when Great Circle was finally announced for PlayStation 5, while I still knew I would play it, I tempered expectations drastically. Which, in the end, was probably a good thing. One of James' biggest complaints was about the controls and combat. And pretty early on, I knew I agreed with him about that. Fist fighting just wasn't particularly fun, and the controls never really felt that comfortable. It was button-mashing, for the most part. I also was disappointed to figure out that pulling your gun, or stealing one from a Nazi, was an even worse idea because then a bunch of other Nazis come after you and you're dead. Then I realized something. If I were an adventuring archaeologist running around Europe in the 1930s, I wouldn't want to fight. In fact, I'd do everything to avoid that. I'd want to survive. I'd sneak around, be quiet and avoid trouble. And so, unless absolutely necessary, that became how I played Great Circle. I used logic. I was sneaky. I was Indiana Jones. That's not to say I didn't punch more than a few Nazis or even shoot a few if need be, it just was never the first option if I could avoid it. And I don't even like stealth games that much, but viewing the mechanic through the lens of Indiana Jones' down-to-earth reputation changed my entire mindset. I was the one deciding how Indiana Jones was going to solve this mystery and things only got more exciting and interesting from there. It even made me like the first-person viewpoint more than I had expected. The POV upped the immersion, plus you get to pull back and see Indy more often than you'd expect. But really, what works the most about Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is the story. A story that, at every turn, was seemingly crafted to be perfectly in line with the first three Indy films. Without spoiling anything, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle sees Indy traverse the globe attempting to acquire specific stones that will grant a magical power. And, of course, he's doing it in competition with some particularly brutal Nazis. Having Great Circle in the title also doesn't give away what the Macguffin is like, unlike 'The Lost Ark,' 'Crystal Skull,' and 'Dial of Destiny' do. It feels more like 'Last Crusade' in that way, but with elements of Raiders and Temple of Doom too. Several sections of the game let you go anywhere you'd like, exploring, fighting, whatever. Others are more limited but provide even greater action. When I tell you there are some action set pieces in this game that the movies could never, ever match, I mean it. But whether you're solving puzzles to enter a temple, flying a plane, or climbing up a wall with your whip, the game simply understands Indiana Jones. Indy will regularly comment about historical connections. He's infinitely curious and filled with wonder. You use notes and images to solve mysteries and document your findings. You wear disguises, make ample use of the whip, and always make sure to get your hat back. Indy even has a new female sidekick, Gina, who often feels like real competition for Marion Ravenwood. Then there is the full reveal of the Macguffin, which feels like it comes in too late but is wholly satisfying anyway. That culminates in a truly epic finale that, as you play it, you constantly wish you could see on the big screen. I realized later that if Indiana Jones and the Great Circle was a movie, it would easily be the third best Indiana Jones movie: Raiders, Last Crusade, then this. And I love Temple of Doom, but it's great because it's different. This one is not different from the other two, which is part of what makes it so special. Best of all, it's done with the Indiana Jones you know and love. As wonderful as Harrison Ford was in Dial of Destiny, and as hard as James Mangold tried to recapture that magic, it was simply not the same as the original trilogy. Dial explored a new aspect of Indy. This is classic, younger Indy. Our favorite Indy. Which is possible both because this is a video game and because of Troy Baker. Seriously, this game is not possible without Troy Baker. His voice work as Indiana Jones is so good, it should be studied by voice actors forever. Never for a second do you not hear Harrison Ford coming out of your game. It's perfect and only helps the total immersion and cohesion of the story. Now, do I wish it were a little longer? Yes. Are there minor problems here and there? Also yes. But for the most part, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle was not just worth the wait for this Indy fan, it was beyond my wildest expectations. It made me break out a few of my action figures. Put on the movies while I worked. And, once again, rekindle my eternal love for Indiana Jones. I want to play it again right now, or maybe watch someone else play it, almost like it's the next great Indy movie. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is available on PlayStation 5, PC, and XBox X/S.
The Irish Sun
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is out on the PlayStation 5…and is a rare gaming gem
A DECENT Indiana Jones game is hard to come by - a rarity. Like hidden treasure the stubborn archaeologist would scour the ends of the Earth to uncover. The last glistening relics unearthed were The Fate of Atlantis and The Last Crusade - buried deep in the pixelated history books of MS Dos - a bygone era of last century. Advertisement 9 Indy's quest take him around the world, including Egypt Credit: Bethesda Others that followed, like The Staff of Kings and The Infernal Machine, proved to be nothing more than fakes, shiny forgeries of little worth. However, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is an astonishing artefact. A game of pure brilliance that takes your breath away like a chilled monkey brains appetiser. 9 The bullwhip is cracking - sweep the legs or disarm the enemy Credit: Bethesda After an earlier release for the PC and Xbox, it's now out on the PlayStation 5. It serves up the perfect blend of cinematic and interactive gaming that is both compelling as it is immersive. Its cut scenes don't drag on, yet you feel like you're watching the movie. Advertisement Read more Gaming News At the same time, the combat and puzzles are engrossing enough to give you the best experience yet of playing as Indy. Set between the events of Raids of the Lost Ark and The Last Crusade, you play as everyone's favourite archaeologist (sorry Ms Croft). 9 Hand-to-hand combat is classic Indiana Jones Credit: Bethesda Indy sets out on a quest across the globe to unearth the mystery surrounding the Great Circle. After a terrific tutorial where you relive the epic opening to the Raiders film, you set about the shimmering halls of Marshall College with Marcus and prepare for your adventure. Advertisement The attention to detail MachineGames has put into each level is astonishing and there are some lovely nods to previous games - the overturned bookcase at the university reeked of the opening to the point-and-click classic Fate of Atlantis. Most read in Gaming And it's this love and dedication to the franchise that really sets the Great Circle apart from the rest. Visually, it's stunning and the characters are brilliantly rendered. Troy Baker is superb as Indy and you can hardly tell the difference between him and Harrison Ford if you shut your eyes. The quips, the grunts . . . it's Indy! The score also adds to the immersive experience. It harks back to Raiders and delivers perfectly-timed crescendos during the cut-scenes and in-play. Advertisement 9 Weapons vary but are not the main source of combat Credit: Bethesda As you'd expect, there's plenty of jet-setting to be done and Indy's infamous red-lined travel map stops off at just about every corner of the Earth. From the Vatican to the Himalayas and Iraq, each location is beautifully detailed and there's plenty of freedom - you can venture off the beaten track to find hidden rewards that would otherwise be missed. 9 The glistening halls of Marshall College show off the game's stunning visuals Credit: Bethesda Advertisement Combat is classic Indy. Hand-to-hand punches thwack like hardened cricket bats when delivering short or heavy blows. It's the main form of attack and thoroughly satisfying. There's also a incredible 'clunk' when you knockout enemies using a creative array of melee weapons. Pick up a sturdy wrench, a broomstick or even a guitar . . . all can be used to take down the bad guy. It's not very pretty but it gets the job done - just like Indy would in the films. 9 The characters are superb and faces well-rendered Credit: Bethesda His trusty sidearm is also an option but it's not as devastatingly clinical as it should be. A few well-placed headshots failed to down the enemy at times. Advertisement But the pistol is not the main feature. This isn't a shoot 'em up. Don't expect to mow down wave after wave of screeching Nazis. No, the main attraction is Indy's bullwhip. Aim a high crack to the face to disorientate the enemy or sweep the legs to gain an advantage. You can disarm people with a quick flick and it's also used to swing from one place to the next. 9 There are plenty of satisfying puzzles throughout the game Credit: Bethesda It's not the hardest game in the world, although you can adjust the difficulty settings of the enemy - how aware they are, the number that will come at you from afar or close up. And it did feel like it was a little too easy to creep around in stealth mode. Advertisement The puzzles are decent enough and some even have you scratching your fedora for a while. And there are plenty of side quests to rifle through leading to lots of replayability - in all, you can expect about 20 hours of fun in Indy's shoes. Keep an eye out for the outfit changes too - the PlayStation 5 version had a very cool ability to play Indy in his Temple of Doom kit. A nice touch. 9 There's plenty of option to go off the beaten track in the game Credit: Bethesda The clever haptics of the PS5 controller really stood out for me. As you creep through the jungle, the controller vibrates and clicks at random making it feel as though hairy tarantulas are crawling up your hands. Advertisement Everything about this game will have you smiling like Short Round watching Willie fall off an elephant. 9 After so many disappointing games, Indy finally serves up a whip cracker Credit: Bethesda This is the best Indiana Jones game ever made. I mean that with all my heart - one that is still safely beating inside my chest and yet to be ripped out by a nutter in a furry skull hat ready to plunge me into a fiery pit during a black magic cult ritual. After the continued disappointment of previous games and the abject horror of recent movies, the Great Circle is the perfect antidote for fans - the Indy film that never was. Advertisement Indiana Jones and the Great Circle FORMATS: PlayStation 5 (reviewed) , Xbox, PC PRICE: £69.99 PUBLISHER: Bethesda DEVELOPER: MachineGames RELEASE DATE: Out now AGE RATING: 16 SCORE: 5/5
The Sun
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is out on the PlayStation 5…and is a rare gaming gem
A DECENT Indiana Jones game is hard to come by - a rarity. Like hidden treasure the stubborn archaeologist would scour the ends of the Earth to uncover. The last glistening relics unearthed were The Fate of Atlantis and The Last Crusade - buried deep in the pixelated history books of MS Dos - a bygone era of last century. 9 Others that followed, like The Staff of Kings and The Infernal Machine, proved to be nothing more than fakes, shiny forgeries of little worth. However, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is an astonishing artefact. A game of pure brilliance that takes your breath away like a chilled monkey brains appetiser. 9 After an earlier release for the PC and Xbox, it's now out on the PlayStation 5. It serves up the perfect blend of cinematic and interactive gaming that is both compelling as it is immersive. Its cut scenes don't drag on, yet you feel like you're watching the movie. At the same time, the combat and puzzles are engrossing enough to give you the best experience yet of playing as Indy. Set between the events of Raids of the Lost Ark and The Last Crusade, you play as everyone's favourite archaeologist (sorry Ms Croft). 9 Indy sets out on a quest across the globe to unearth the mystery surrounding the Great Circle. After a terrific tutorial where you relive the epic opening to the Raiders film, you set about the shimmering halls of Marshall College with Marcus and prepare for your adventure. The attention to detail MachineGames has put into each level is astonishing and there are some lovely nods to previous games - the overturned bookcase at the university reeked of the opening to the point-and-click classic Fate of Atlantis. And it's this love and dedication to the franchise that really sets the Great Circle apart from the rest. Visually, it's stunning and the characters are brilliantly rendered. Troy Baker is superb as Indy and you can hardly tell the difference between him and Harrison Ford if you shut your eyes. The quips, the grunts . . . it's Indy! The score also adds to the immersive experience. It harks back to Raiders and delivers perfectly-timed crescendos during the cut-scenes and in-play. 9 As you'd expect, there's plenty of jet-setting to be done and Indy's infamous red-lined travel map stops off at just about every corner of the Earth. From the Vatican to the Himalayas and Iraq, each location is beautifully detailed and there's plenty of freedom - you can venture off the beaten track to find hidden rewards that would otherwise be missed. 9 Combat is classic Indy. Hand-to-hand punches thwack like hardened cricket bats when delivering short or heavy blows. It's the main form of attack and thoroughly satisfying. There's also a incredible 'clunk' when you knockout enemies using a creative array of melee weapons. Pick up a sturdy wrench, a broomstick or even a guitar . . . all can be used to take down the bad guy. It's not very pretty but it gets the job done - just like Indy would in the films. 9 His trusty sidearm is also an option but it's not as devastatingly clinical as it should be. A few well-placed headshots failed to down the enemy at times. But the pistol is not the main feature. This isn't a shoot 'em up. Don't expect to mow down wave after wave of screeching Nazis. No, the main attraction is Indy's bullwhip. Aim a high crack to the face to disorientate the enemy or sweep the legs to gain an advantage. You can disarm people with a quick flick and it's also used to swing from one place to the next. 9 It's not the hardest game in the world, although you can adjust the difficulty settings of the enemy - how aware they are, the number that will come at you from afar or close up. And it did feel like it was a little too easy to creep around in stealth mode. The puzzles are decent enough and some even have you scratching your fedora for a while. And there are plenty of side quests to rifle through leading to lots of replayability - in all, you can expect about 20 hours of fun in Indy's shoes. Keep an eye out for the outfit changes too - the PlayStation 5 version had a very cool ability to play Indy in his Temple of Doom kit. A nice touch. 9 The clever haptics of the PS5 controller really stood out for me. As you creep through the jungle, the controller vibrates and clicks at random making it feel as though hairy tarantulas are crawling up your hands. Everything about this game will have you smiling like Short Round watching Willie fall off an elephant. 9 This is the best Indiana Jones game ever made. I mean that with all my heart - one that is still safely beating inside my chest and yet to be ripped out by a nutter in a furry skull hat ready to plunge me into a fiery pit during a black magic cult ritual. After the continued disappointment of previous games and the abject horror of recent movies, the Great Circle is the perfect antidote for fans - the Indy film that never was.
BBC News
13-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
The Last of Us is back, and it's The Apprentice final: What's coming up this week
This week, The Last of Us returns to our screens - two years after the drama won over critics and fans that's not all the week has in The Apprentice final on BBC One, Alex Garland's new film Warfare is out, and gaming fans have Indiana Jones and the Great Circle to look forward on for what's coming up this week... The Last of Us is back The first season of The Last of Us was haunting, terrifying, and moving in equal there's a lot to live up to when season two kicks off on TV adaptation of the hit video game stars Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal as lead characters Ellie and dodged zombies and ruthless militia in an arduous journey across America in season one, they are now living in Jackson, Wyoming - but danger is never far away.I've had a sneak preview, and can tell you that the first episode alone is fraught with the reviews, so far, have been gives it five stars, calling it 'television at its peak', while The Telegraph - which also gives it five stars - says it is 'superb'. Who's hired? It's The Apprentice final A pizza company boss and the owner of an air conditioning firm walk into a the start of a bad joke, but something you can actually expect to see in the final of BBC One's The Apprentice, which takes place on Thursday at were 18 candidates at the start of season 19. Now, after weeks of tasks, firings and cringe-inducing moments, there are just Khan and Dean Franklin have one last chance to impress business tycoon Lord Sugar, and to win the £250,000 said winning wouldn't just be for her, but also 'a win for people who feel like I represent them as well'.Meanwhile, Dean said he wanted to make his kids proud: 'For them to go into school the next morning and say, "My dad's won The Apprentice." Bonding with head shaving and tattoos for Warfare By Helen Bushby, entertainment reporter It's an intense, immersive experience watching Alex Garland's latest film Warfare, which plunges you almost immediately into the thick of a US military surveillance mission which goes wrong, in Iraq in film's ensemble cast includes Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3's Will Poulter and Heartstopper's Kit Connor. They told the BBC they bonded at a tough military bootcamp, where they learned military jargon, gun safety and were pushed beyond their cast also shaved each other's heads before filming and got shared tattoos afterwards, speaking about how they wanted to mark what had been a "formative" experience, building lasting on the memories of soldiers on the surveillance mission in Ramadi, an area controlled by Al Qaeda, the cast also includes Reservation Dogs' D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Shōgun's Cosmo Jarvis, Stranger Things and the forthcoming Beatles biopic's Joseph Quinn, and Riverdale's Charles is out in cinemas on Friday. Time for another (Short)round of The Great Circle By Tom Richardson, Newsbeat reporter Gaming. Waiting. Two things that often go hand in hand when it comes to new releases (GTA 6, anyone?).But one wait comes to an end this week with the release of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle on PlayStation 5. First released on Xbox and PC last December, it was one of 2024's best-reviewed was praised for its compelling stealth gameplay, puzzling and immersive environments, as well as an uncanny performance from celebrated video game actor Troy Baker in the main role. His portrayal of the world's luckiest archaeologist even got the seal of approval from original Indy Harrison fans had to hold out because The Great Circle's Swedish developer MachineGames is part of ZeniMax, one of the many gaming companies bought up by Microsoft. The formerly bitter rival has softened its stance on exclusivity of late – a move which has upset some Xbox fans but pleased PS5 out this week is Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Tape 2, the concluding part of the Yellowjackets-meets-Stranger-Things narrative adventure from the original makers of the Life is Strange series. There's no platform-exclusive shenanigans with this one – it lands on PS5, Xbox and PC from Tuesday. Other highlights this week Krapp's Last Tape, starring Gary Oldman, opens at York Theatre Royal on MondayMy Master Builder, starring Ewan McGregor and Elizabeth Debicki, opens at Wyndham's Theatre on ThursdayThe London International Ska Festival starts on ThursdaySinners, starring Michael B. Jordan, hits cinemas on FridayThe Penguin Lessons also hits cinemas on FridayThe Fever, starring Cate Blanchett, drops on BBC Radio 4 on Saturday
