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. This design choice reflects the character's iconic fighting style.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Emphasizes Hand-to-Hand Combat and Stealth
Puzzles and Environmental Interaction are Key
In a recent interview with PC Gamer, MachineGames' design director and creative director detailed the game's gameplay mechanics. Inspired by their work on titles like Wolfenstein and Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay, the developers confirmed a focus on melee combat, improvised weaponry, and stealth.
"Indiana Jones isn't known for gunplay," the design director explained. "Hand-to-hand combat is much more fitting for his character." The team drew inspiration from Chronicles of Riddick's melee system, adapting it to Indy's unique fighting style. Expect creative combat using everyday objects like pots, pans, and even musical instruments. The goal, they stated, was to capture Indy's resourceful and somewhat clumsy charm in the gameplay.
Beyond combat, exploration will be a significant component. The game will blend linear and open environments, offering both structured paths and expansive areas for exploration, drawing on the Wolfenstein design philosophy. Some areas will feature immersive sim elements, allowing players multiple approaches to challenges. Enemy camps, for instance, will encourage creative infiltration and problem-solving.
Stealth will play a crucial role, incorporating both traditional infiltration and a unique "social stealth" mechanic. Players can find and use disguises to blend into crowds and access restricted areas. Each major location will offer various disguise options.
In a previous interview with Inverse, the game director highlighted the deliberate downplaying of gunplay. The team prioritized other aspects, including hand-to-hand combat, navigation, and environmental interaction. The inclusion of challenging, yet optionally solvable, puzzles was also confirmed. These puzzles aim to cater to both casual and hardcore puzzle solvers.
