That is why shooting mechanics are largely omitted

MachineGames, actually known for their work on the Wolfensteinseries, has been strongly associated with first-person shooters for years. With Indiana Jones and the Great Circle You now leave the classic first-person shooter genre and instead rely on the adventurer's legendary whip, even though some weapons can be used in the first person.

In a recent interview with Edge magazine (via GamesRadar), Creative Director Axel Torvenius talked about the new game and clarified that shooting will not be the main focus. Instead, the focus will be on “use your mind and your whip.” “We do not encourage shooting,” Torvenius “It's not touted as the primary way forward. The primary way forward is always to use your mind and your whip.”

Shooting doesn't suit Indiana Jones

Torvenius further explained that an Indiana Jones game that focused on gunplay would not do the character justice. The character Indiana Jones is an archaeologist and teacher, not a typical action hero. “Indy has no superpowers”Torvenius emphasized. “You often notice that he doesn't find it easy to fight. Ultimately, he is a teacher and a somewhat clumsy archaeologist.” In this context, the developer emphasizes how dangerous the use of firearms is in the game. The enemies are well organized and reinforcements could be called in, which could harm the player. This decision is intended to further increase the tension and challenge in the game.

Jerk Gustafsson, the title's game director, also highlighted that while players will have access to many weapons, they are not encouraged to use them due to their “noise and dangerousness.” Gustafsson mentioned that there will be an interesting dynamic in the game where weapons can be used as improvised melee weapons instead of firing them. “You can take a gun and use it as a close combat weapon.” That’s a very characteristic use of a weapon for Indiana Jones,” said Gustafsson.

A different kind of gaming experience

The goal with Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is to create a different kind of gaming experience. This includes elements closer to the original film series, such as open areas, immersive sim elements and even social stealth mechanics. MachineGames wants to offer a new perspective on the genre and bring the essence of Indiana Jones to the forefront, with puzzles and adventure being more important than pure action and gunfights.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle will be released this year for Xbox Series X|S and PC and will follow in spring 2025 for PS5. Until then, PlayStation players will benefit from an optimized version tailored to their console.