Indiana Jones and the Great Circlemay feature shooting as a core mechanic, but trying to play it like a shooter could easily result in a bad time. The newest adaptation of Steven Spielberg’s legendary movie franchise is finally out, and it aims to put players in the shoes (and fedora) of the famous archaeologist/adventurer.
In between all the globe-trotting and artifact-finding, there are plenty of opportunities to beat up some bad guys inThe Great Circle. Players have access to all of Indy’s favorite tools, including both the iconic whip and his trusty revolver. Due to the way combat is designed, however,anyone planning to run through the game with guns blazing may want to rethink their strategy.
Ammo Is Precious In Indiana Jones & The Great Circle
Bullets Are Best Saved For When You Really Need Them
While firearms can be a powerful weapon inThe Great Circle, they’re best used sparingly. The revolver only holds six shots, and reloading after emptying the cylinder is a slow process of reinserting each bullet at a realistic speed. Without the ability to fire rapidly,players will have to make each shot count, and that’s a task much easier said than done whenIndiana is being mobbed by baddies.
Indiana Jones And The Great Circle Review: Already A Priceless Artifact
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle valiantly attempts to recapture what makes the movies special, and like Indy himself, it usually lands on its feet.
There are other guns to be found inThe Great Circle, but they’re not a reliable improvement. They rarely come fully loaded, and by the time their limited magazine is spent, Indy is more likely to be full of holes from enemy fire than making a clean getaway. In short,guns should be a weapon of last resort inThe Great Circle, especially when there are better options. It’s eventually possible to upgrade reload speed for the revolver, but it’s a late-game option that’s still slower than in most FPS titles.
Melee Weapons Are Way Less Dangerous
Take Out Enemies Without Getting Yourself Killed
Alongside the various firearms to be found, Indy will also have access to numerous melee weapons scattered throughout the environment that will often be a superior alternative to gunplay.Melee weapons offer a number of advantages inThe Great Circle: for one thing, they don’t come with a limited supply of ammo. They will eventually break after a few good swings, but even when that happensIndy can immediately start throwing punches to keep the fight going.
Enemies inThe Great Circleare less likely to use guns when Indiana sticks to melee.
Stealth is going to be a priority for many players inThe Great Circle, and guns aren’t conducive to keeping a low profile. While being spotted isn’t an instant game over, it can get very dangerous very quickly, especially for those playing onThe Great Circle’s harder difficulty settings. It’s much easier to take out enemies quietly with a melee strike than a gunshot.
The gameplay ofThe Great Circleis designed to make players feel like they’rereally playing the role of Indiana Jones himself, and that extends to the combat. Aside from one memorable moment inRaiders of the Lost Ark,Indy has never been a “shoot first, ask questions later” kind of protagonist, so incentivizing players away from that style of gameplay makes sense in context. Much like the movies it’s based on,Indiana Jones and the Great Circleis more about the adventure than the gunplay.
