Nostalgia can often be a double-edged sword for long-running franchises, butIndiana Jones and the Great Circleprovides a perfect example of how it can be wielded effectively. The most recent entry in theIndiana Jonesfranchise was the subject of much hype and ballyhoo during its three years in development, and now that the finished product is in players' hands, people have been largely pleased with it.The mass appeal of the game is certainly due in no small part to the recognizable name and image of Dr. Jones himself, as well as the classic movies he’s associated with.
For millions of people all over the world, theIndiana Jonesmovies are the pinnacle of the adventure genre, full of moments that left an indelible mark on the fabric of pop culture. Being able to work with such a recognizable license affords many opportunities toThe Great Circle, but it also risks falling into the trap of simply resting on the franchise’s laurels. Despite this,Indiana Jones and the Great Circleis somehow able to strike the perfect balance between nostalgia and originality.
Indiana Jones & The Great Circle Walks A Fine Line
The Game Leans Heavily Into Nostalgia Early On
For those interested in a hit ofIndiana Jonesnostalgia,The Great Circlecouldn’t have started on a better note.The game’s prologue mission is a recreation of the iconic opening scene fromRaiders of the Lost Arkwherein Indy and his ill-fated guides delve into an ancient Peruvian temple in search of the legendary Golden Idol. All the now-famous beats from the movie are present here in the game, from the gauntlet of booby traps to the attempted backstabs and Indy’s frantic getaway from the rolling boulder.
In making a shot-for-shot recreation of such a well-known scene,The Great Circleoffers players something famous and familiar to enjoy, but it also invites direct comparisons to a source material that it now must live up to.
Opening with such an overt homage to what is arguably the most famous moment in the entire franchise – and indeed, one of the most famous in all cinema – is a risky move onThe Great Circle’s part. In making a shot-for-shot recreation of such a well-known scene,The Great Circleoffers players something famous and familiar to enjoy, butit also invites direct comparisons to a source material that it now must live up to.
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It would have been easy forThe Great Circleto adopt this tactic for the entire game, simply offering up a “greatest hits” compilation of fan-favoriteIndiana Jonesmoments recreated in video game form. The attention to detail in the prologue mission, the way each shot is crafted to elicit a feeling of familiarity, shows that it could even have been a very successful tactic. ButThe Great Circleis a better gamefor its decision to not travel too far down the well of nostalgia.
Great Circle Doesn’t Overdo Its Nods To The Past
It Respects The Source Material While Telling Its Own Story
On the surface,Indiana Jones and the Great Circlefollows all the same beats as the original movies by which it was inspired. Indy finds himself drawn into a conspiracy revolving around an artifact with mysterious powers and joins forces with a woman pursuing her own agenda. There are secret societies, globetrotting expeditions to famous historical sites, and fisticuffs with Nazis, all leading up to a grand finale of literally Biblical proportions. And for the purpose it needs to serve,The Great Circle’s story works perfectly.
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Indiana Jones and the Great Circle builds to an explosive climax, with the fate of Indy and the world hanging and the balance, as usual.
While its narrative bears strong resemblance to those of the original movies, it’s only a ring of familiarity that comes through, not a full sense of déjà vu.The Great Circleis able to tell a story that remains reminiscent of those inRaidersorThe Last Crusade, but doesn’t directly lift from the source material that it’s emulating in crafting its own narrative. It displays a keen understanding of the original movies – what made them work, what made people love them so much in the first place – and applies those principles to its own ideas.
The Great Circlewas clearly designed with adeep appreciation for the originalIndiana Jonesmovies, as can be seen in how it makes the effort to tie in the plot threads from the films, like Indiana’s hot-and-cold relationship with ex-fiancée Marion Ravenwood. But it’s not beholden to those stories, instead using them as a starting point to tell a new story with a new direction for Indy as a character.It’s a story that’s able to create its own moments worth remembering, rather than simply pointing to things that came before as a cheap ploy to amuse fans.
Nostalgia Only Works When The Tone Is Right
Resting On Laurels Will Only Leave Fans Disappointed
It’s all too easy to get suckered into buying something just because it has a recognizable character or title on it, only to have expectations dashed when we see what it really is. It’s all too easy for games in big franchises to keep leaning on the same crutches, hitting the same notes over and over to remind fans of what came before, but such experiences often end up feeling hollow.Indiana Jones and the Great Circle’s successproves that there’s another route to take, one that can capitalize on nostalgia without leaving fans feeling betrayed.
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While Indiana Jones And The Great Circle succeeded in capturing the essence of the films, it’s far the only great game in the franchise worth playing.
The Great Circleavoids these kinds of pitfalls despite being a licensed product by showing its clear desire to build something new, yet approachable. Opening the game with a recreation of the movies' most famous sequence welcomes players with something familiar and comfortable, providing a sense of assurance that everything to follow will be rooted in adeep appreciation for the world ofIndiana Jones. Beyond that,it’s not afraid to offer something new while staying in line with fans' expectations.
We’re currently living in an era where companies are trading on nostalgia harder than ever before, cashing in on recognizable IPs and trademarks in an attempt to make a quick buck. In all forms of media, there seems to be almost a fear of new ideas, of taking risks with new concepts when established names offer a much safer bet. As long as we live in such an age, more games should be taking notes from howIndiana Jones and the Great Circlemanages to perfectly blend the old with the new.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is a first-person action-adventure game developed by the creative team at MachineGames. Set in 1937 between Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Last Crusade, players take on the role of the titular globe-trotting adventurer/archaeology professor Dr. Indiana Jones, as he races across the world to stop a dangerous organization from utilizing the power of the mystical Great Circle.
