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 different kind of action.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: Hand-to-Hand Combat, Stealth, and Puzzles
A Focus on Immersive Gameplay
In a recent interview with PC Gamer, design director Jens Andersson and creative director Axel Torvenius highlighted the game's core mechanics. Drawing inspiration from their work on the Wolfenstein series and Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay, the team emphasized hand-to-hand combat, improvised weaponry, and stealth as key gameplay pillars.
Andersson explained that Indiana Jones isn't known for gunplay, making a shooter approach unsuitable. Instead, the game leverages melee combat, utilizing everyday objects like pots, pans, and even musical instruments as weapons. This approach aims to capture Indy's resourceful and somewhat clumsy fighting style, reflecting his "unlikely hero" persona.
The game world blends linear and open areas, offering a mix of structured paths and expansive environments ripe for exploration. Some larger areas will offer immersive sim-like freedom, allowing players multiple approaches to challenges. Stealth plays a significant role, incorporating both traditional infiltration and a novel "social stealth" mechanic. Players can acquire disguises to blend into crowds and access restricted areas.
Game director Jerk Gustafsson previously told Inverse that gunplay was intentionally minimized. The team prioritized challenging aspects like hand-to-hand combat, navigation, and puzzle-solving, creating a gameplay experience that deviates from typical action-adventure titles. The game will include a range of puzzles, some of which will offer a significant challenge, while others will be optional to maintain accessibility.
