Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Sticks to Melee Combat Over Gun Fights

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 not feature shooting as a central mechanic.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Emphasizes Hand-to-Hand Combat and Stealth

Puzzles and Environmental Interaction are Key Gameplay Pillars

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 emphasized hand-to-hand combat, improvised weaponry, and stealth as core gameplay elements.

The team highlighted that Indiana Jones isn't known for his gun skills. While the game will feature some firearms, the focus is on melee combat utilizing everyday objects like pots, pans, and even musical instruments. The design aims to capture Indy's resourceful and somewhat clumsy fighting style, translating his "unlikely hero" persona into engaging gameplay.

Level design will blend linear sections with more open, explorable environments. Certain areas will offer immersive sim-style gameplay, allowing players multiple approaches to challenges, such as infiltrating enemy camps.

Stealth mechanics will play a significant role, incorporating both traditional infiltration and a novel "social stealth" system. Players can acquire disguises to blend in with their surroundings and access restricted areas. A wide variety of disguises will be available in each major location.

A previous interview with Inverse confirmed the deliberate downplaying of gunplay. The development team prioritized other gameplay aspects, such as hand-to-hand combat, navigation, and environmental interaction, before tackling gun mechanics. The game will also feature challenging puzzles, with some optional harder puzzles for experienced players.