Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Shines in Early Access Reviews

Bethesda and MachineGames' highly anticipated title, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, is making a strong impression in early access reviews. Released today for Premium and Deluxe Edition holders, the game has already garnered a Metacritic score of 86/100, with the PC version scoring an impressive 87/100.

A Faithful Adaptation of the Iconic Archaeologist

In a review for ComicBook, the game was praised for its "supremely faithful and painstakingly careful adaptation of the character" that will be hard to top if another studio were to take overtake the franchise. This sentiment is echoed by other reviewers, who praise the game's dedication to the series.

Key Highlights:

  • High Metacritic Score: With 43 reviews, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle has a Metacritic critic score of 86/100, and an 87/100 on PC.
  • Highest Rated Xbox-Exclusive: The game currently ranks as the highest rated Xbox-exclusive of the year, edging out Senua's Saga: Hellblade II with a score of 81/100.
  • Best Indiana Jones Game: The Great Circle is the best-rated video game in the Indiana Jones franchise, surpassing LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventure and Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine.

Comparison to Other MachineGames Titles

When compared to MachineGames' other titles, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle ranks slightly below Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus, which has a score of 87/100. However, the game beats out their other titles, including Wolfenstein: The New Order, Wolfenstein: The Old Blood, and Wolfenstein: Youngblood.

A Break from the Cycle of Underwhelming Releases

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is tied with Raiders of the Lost Ark as the highest-rated Indiana Jones media in terms of Metacritic scores. This is a significant departure from the recent films, which have received low scores. The game's story and dedication to the series have been praised by reviewers, with some calling it the best homage to the iconic archaeologist and his adventures.

Performance Issues and Future Updates

Some reviewers have noted performance issues and graphical inconsistencies, particularly on the Xbox Series X|S edition. However, these issues are likely to be ironed out over time.

Conclusion

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle appears to be a must-play adventure, with its faithful adaptation of the character and engaging story. As more reviews are published and the game fully launches on December 9th, its score is likely to change. However, based on the early reviews, it's clear that this game is one not to be missed.