Xbox Series S owners have reason to rejoice, as MachineGames aims for a 60 FPS experience on the budget-oriented console. Microsoft’s lower-end console has been criticized and cited for hindering developers’ efforts in bringing games to Xbox, but as MachineGames aims for a more traditional framerate, perhaps there’s still hope for the Series S. Windows Central spoke with Creative Director Axel Torvenius who shared among other details, that Bethesda Game Studios Director and Executive Producer Todd Howard originated the idea for the game who then pitched it to LucasFilm games. Axel went on to say the goal for Xbox Series X|S owners is to have a smooth gaming experience on either console.
Per Axel Torvenius (via Windows Central):
- “It all started with Todd Howard, our long-time friend. He’s a huge Indiana Jones fan, he had an idea for an Indiana Jones game a while ago around this Great Circle myth. He had the opportunity to pitch the game to LucasFilm Games, and they were immediately positive.”
- “It might be that we will release even more details in terms of specifics, technical details, as we get closer to launch, once we see all the telemetry on performance. But what I can tell you is that the ambition is that the game runs at 60 FPS on Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, and that, you know, it shouldn’t be compromised in the visuals or the experience of the product. It should feel cohesive, running smoothly at 60 on both.“
Early Demo Review:
VGC had the opportunity to play an early demo of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle and generally speaking, had good things to say about it. They were only allotted three hours of gameplay but that was enough to get a feeling of the game even if its overall story was not uncovered. MachineGames is experienced in making Nazi-bashing-themed games but even then its understandable that fans might still feel a bit nervous about an Indiana Jones adaptation given the oft-slapped-together projects that have plagued fans of popular IPs over the decades. Well, according to VGC’s early hands-on preview, the game has a balance of puzzles, action, open-world exploring with a linear story, and an authentic feel and look.
Per VGC:
- “The first thing we noticed was the extremely high quality of the game’s models.”
- “Ripping items out of the enemy’s hands with the whip and then smashing them across the nose with them never ceased being a great laugh.”
- “So far, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle isn’t just the Indiana Jones adventure that fans have waited 40 years for; it’s the video game that the franchise has truly deserved.”
- “The balance of linear and open, combat and puzzles seems pitch-perfect, and it feels like an adventure that, were it to be released as a film in 1987, no one would bat an eye.”
Stealth mechanics are noted to have a significant role in gameplay where players can grab and throw a multitude of objects to either distract or attack enemies. Indy can resort to hand-to-hand combat or, of course, use his trusted whip and side pistol. Game maps vary in size giving players opportunities to experience Indy’s archaeological exploration side or if they choose to, stick to the main linear story. Credit is also given to Troy Baker’s voiceover as Indy who is said to have delivered such a faithful performance that players may well not notice that it’s not Harrison Ford reprising the role. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle releases for PC and Xbox Series X|S on December 9 and is planned to launch for PlayStation sometime later in 2025.