MachineGames and Bethesda's upcoming Indiana Jones title, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, will prioritize close-quarters combat over gunfights, according to the development team. The game will steer clear of becoming a shooter, focusing instead on a more authentic portrayal of the iconic adventurer.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: Fists, Stealth, and Puzzles Take Center Stage
Stealth and Puzzles are Crucial Gameplay Pillars
In a recent interview with PC Gamer, MachineGames' design director and creative director detailed the game's design philosophy. Influenced by their work on the Wolfenstein series and Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay, they emphasized hand-to-hand combat, improvised weaponry, and stealth mechanics.
The developers highlighted that Indiana Jones isn't known for gunplay. While the game will feature some combat using everyday objects (pots, pans, even banjos!), the core experience revolves around brawling and stealth. The team drew inspiration from Chronicles of Riddick's melee system, adapting it to suit Indy's unique fighting style and emphasizing his resourceful, almost accidental heroism.
The game world will blend linear and open environments, similar to the Wolfenstein games. Players will navigate structured paths and expansive areas offering multiple approaches to challenges, with some sections approaching immersive sim-like freedom. Stealth will be a key component, incorporating both traditional infiltration and a novel "social stealth" mechanic, allowing players to utilize disguises to bypass security.
A previous interview with Inverse revealed the deliberate decision to minimize gunplay. The team prioritized hand-to-hand combat, navigation, and traversal, focusing on aspects that presented the greatest design challenges within a first-person perspective. The game will also include challenging puzzles, with some optional for accessibility, catering to both casual and hardcore puzzle solvers.
