It has been a somewhat rollercoaster year for Microsoft and their Xbox brand, with mixed messaging around what games are going third party, often waiting far too long after rumours start to spread before making any kind of official announcements which are rarely anything more than vague business statements that leave the door open for changes in the future. We now know that anything could go third party, even Halo and Forza.
343 Interactive has had a total rebrand and reboot, becoming Halo Studios. The internal engine has been scrapped in favour of using the Unreal Engine, which has only fuelled speculation about future Halo entries being released on PlayStation consoles.
Both Flight Simulator 24 and Stalker 2 launched with serious issues that are still being slowly patched. Avowed was delayed into early 2025 to seemingly avoid the competitive holiday season against the other first party releases. And despite being much hyped, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 seems to have come and gone pretty much straight away. It certainly hasn’t had the lasting impact the predecessor has had.
Microsoft has launched a marketing campaign titled “This is an Xbox” which has caused anger from certain areas of the Xbox fan base while being seen as further evidence of defeat from a larger portion of the gaming scene. Understandably this has come at a time when hardware sales are falling and are doing worse than the Xbox One.
It is true that consoles are not Microsoft’s main focus and hasn’t been for a while, with subscribers being the future of the Xbox ecosystem. However, subscription numbers are somewhat flat and unless updates confirm otherwise, have yet to see the much needed uptick. There is some questions as to whether there really is enough interest from the public at large to subscribe to Xbox Game Pass, be it through console, PC, televisions or smartphones.
The last big game from Microsoft for the year 2024 is Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. Initially to be an Xbox exclusive, it has now been officially confirmed to also release on PlayStation 5 early next year. Indiana Jones isn’t the big brand it once was, and this game is over one year later than the final film’s release making it a harder sell than it would have been if timed to release alongside the film, regardless of the fact it’s based on an original story and in a different timeframe. However, game development takes a long time so it’s understandable why it didn’t happen.
The reviews are however now coming in for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle which releases on 6th December 2024 for Xbox Series X and S as well as PC with a PlayStation 5 release to follow early 2025.
The overall reviews for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle for the Xbox Series X and S are pretty solid, sitting currently at an 86 on Metacritic. It’s important to note that Metacritic takes an average from the scores of a number of websites so this score should not be indicative of the overall quality of this game as three sites scored mixed reviews which would certainly bring the number down.
CREATIVE BLOQ
This is no lazy homage. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle delivers one the finest cinematic gaming experiences you’ll ever play. A proper new Indiana Jones film that is actually a video game, in which you control Indy, with all his signature moves and quirks: the stuff of fans’ dreams, in other words.
GAMESRADAR+
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is the best adventure this character has embarked on in over 30 years. Developer MachineGames has leveraged its expertise in the FPS space to deliver an immersive, authentic first-person adventure that is quite unlike anything you’ve played before.
XBOX ERA
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle isn’t an average game – it’s something truly special. It’s got its flaws, but it’s an irresistible invitation to wear the fedora of one of my childhood heroes, to crack the whip and fully embrace the thrill of discovery and embark on a genuinely fantastic adventure. Whether you’re a lifelong fan of the franchise or a newcomer with only games like Uncharted or Tomb Raider under your belt, this game delivers an experience that feels both fresh and heavily steeped in nostalgia. Indiana Jones is the original tomb-raiding adventurer and MachineGames have, to put it simply – nailed it. They’ve crafted an unforgettable journey that’s worthy of the franchise. Ready to embark on the adventure of a lifetime? The mystery of the Great Circle awaits.
BUT WHY THO?
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle does what this franchise has always done best. It takes the theft of a seemingly unimportant artifact and thrusts Indy into a cataclysmic mystery, ensuring that charismatic man shines. Punch Nazis, celebrate history, explore the world, and then save it. What more could you ask for?
PURE XBOX
Ever since we caught wind of MachineGames making an Indiana Jones title, we’ve been very excited by the prospect, but ultimately – we’re a little disappointed in the final product. The overall experience isn’t bad, and it successfully sells the Indiana Jones fantasy, but the gameplay elements here just don’t match up to the vibe of a fun-time Indy adventure. The pacing is all out-of-whack, the open stealth-driven levels don’t work in the context of an Indiana Jones romp, and the game just feels at odds with itself overall. We’re always up for trying something different and for teams breaking genre tropes, but in the end, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is at its most fun in fleeting moments – which is a shame considering the amount of care and attention that’s been put into adapting this famous old franchise.
