A new adventure begins for one of the most iconic heroes in cinema! Indiana Jones and the Old Circle, a video game published by Bethesda and developed by MachineGames, the studio renowned for the Wolfenstein series, is set to arrive on PC and Xbox Series on December 9, 2024. The game will follow on PS5 starting April 17, 2025. Players on Nintendo Switch 2 will need to wait a few more months: the title is scheduled for release on Nintendo’s console on May 12, 2026.
As for the game's plot, it's an original story, in which we find Indiana Jones at the height of his career and adventures, well before the events of the fourth film. The game takes place precisely between Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Last Crusade, says Bethesda.
" Unravel one of history's greatest mysteries in a first-person solo adventure set between the events of Raiders of the Lost Ark™ and The Last Crusade™. It' s 1937, dark forces roam the globe in search of the secret of an ancient power linked to the Great Circle, and only one person is capable of stopping them: Indiana Jones™. "
Muscularbattles against the Nazis, mysterious temples full of traps andenigmas, inescapable music: there's no doubt about it, Indy is back, in an exceptional quest that takes us to the four corners of the globe, from Rome to China via Egypt. The game's various trailers promised us, at the time, to discover highly polished images, quality graphics and a universe that immerses us in the hero's original trilogy... And a first-person gameplay system. And one thing's for sure: we weren't disappointed! This choice may have come as a surprise to some, but it doesn't seem so incongruous in a title that combines combat, infiltration and shoot-outs.
Our Take on Indiana Jones and the Old Circle:
Playtime: 30 hours, on PS5
While the game was a hit on Xbox Series (we hadn’t gotten around to playing it at launch, but now we have), we decided to give the PS5 version a try... And Indiana Jones and the Old Circle did not disappoint. Not for a second... Graphically, Bethesda’s game is quite beautiful and perfectly captures the film’s atmosphere, although it’s not without flaws (the NPCs, particularly, have somewhat stiff facial expressions...). The cutscenes are particularly polished, providing an immersive experience unlike any other in the archaeologist’s universe. In short, it looks great.
As for the story, it’s flawlessly executed: the game faithfully recreates the Spielberg film style, from the soundtrack and environments to the dialogue and characters. It feels like watching an Indiana Jones film, quite literally. It’s perfect—blatantly black-and-white in morality, packed with Jones-style humor... and that’s exactly what fans love! The respect for the franchise even extends to the gameplay, much to the delight of players.
Speaking of gameplay, it features all the classic elements of the Indiana Jones universe: hand-to-hand combat and gunfights (with satisfying punch sound effects), disguises to navigate certain areas (clerical robes at the Vatican, Nazi uniforms in Egypt, etc.), accessible yet challenging puzzles, and most importantly, the thrill of using Indy’s whip — disarming enemies, making them fall, or swinging across gaps to reach new areas. It’s simply exhilarating! Add a tutorial that recreates the iconic opening scene from the very first film (you know, with the golden idol and the rolling stone ball chasing Indy...), and you’ve got a must-play game that’s almost mandatory for fans.
Then there’s the first-person view option. Initially skeptical, it took some time to get used to, but quickly became clear why it’s there: to fully immerse yourself in Indiana Jones's perspective while enjoying the intricate detail of meticulously crafted environments. Ultimately, it’s hard to see how the game could have been made differently — it feels completely natural. A real highlight! The only downside: the semi-open world, which can get a bit repetitive since each trip from one location to another feels somewhat similar... but that’s a minor quibble.
Made by passionate fans of the franchise, and it shows! In summary, Indiana Jones and the Old Circle is a true gaming gem for PC and consoles, especially if you’re a die-hard Indy fan. Such reverence for the character’s universe is rare, and deserves recognition. We’re heading straight in!
Indiana Jones and the Ancient Circle has been available on Game Pass since the day of its release. Get your whips ready!
For other trailers, click here:
Dates and Opening Time
Starts December 9, 2024
Prices
€69.99
Recommended age
From 16 years old
Official website
indianajones.bethesda.net
