MachineGames and Bethesda's upcoming action-adventure game, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, will emphasize close-quarters combat over gunfights, according to the development team. This design choice reflects the character's established persona.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: A Focus on Hand-to-Hand Combat
Stealth and Puzzles Take Center Stage
In a recent interview with PC Gamer, MachineGames' design director and creative director revealed key gameplay details. Inspired by their work on titles like Wolfenstein and Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay, the developers highlighted the game's emphasis on melee combat, improvised weaponry, and stealth.
The team explained that Indiana Jones is not known for his gun skills, making a shooter-style game inappropriate. Instead, the focus is on hand-to-hand combat, leveraging everyday objects like pots, pans, and even musical instruments as weapons. This approach aims to capture Indy's resourceful and somewhat clumsy, yet charming, nature.
Beyond combat, players will explore diverse environments. The game blends linear and open areas, offering both structured progression and opportunities for exploration and problem-solving. Some larger sections will resemble immersive sims, allowing players multiple approaches to challenges.
Stealth mechanics are integral, incorporating traditional infiltration and a novel "social stealth" system. Players can acquire disguises to blend into their surroundings and gain access to restricted areas. A wide variety of disguises will be available in each significant location.
A previous interview with Inverse confirmed the deliberate downplaying of gunplay. The development team prioritized other gameplay elements, focusing on hand-to-hand combat, navigation, and traversal. The inclusion of challenging, yet optionally solvable, puzzles ensures a balance between difficulty and accessibility. The puzzles are designed to test even the most experienced puzzle solvers.
