Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: Complete Beginner's Guide

Getting Started: Whip, Fist, and Improvise

The Great Circle's combat philosophy: use the environment first, the whip second, fists last. Every combat arena has disarm opportunities (whip), environmental knockback options (ledges, barrels, furniture), and improvised weapons (anything you can grab). Going fist-to-fist with Axis soldiers is possible but resource-intensive — using the environment keeps Indy's health and stamina reserves intact for the next encounter.

Codex Completion Guide

The Codex tracks artifact photos, manuscript translations, and environmental discoveries in each location. Complete each location's Codex before moving to the next — returning retroactively is possible but inefficient. Use the Photograph action liberally: wall inscriptions, unusual artifacts, architecture details, and NPC interaction items all trigger Codex entries. The Vatican location has the most dense Codex content; budget extra exploration time there.

Combat Efficiency Tips

Whip disarm every armed enemy before engaging — it drops their weapon as an improvised weapon for Indy and removes their range advantage simultaneously. The frying pan (found in kitchen areas of most locations) is the best improvised melee weapon: two-hit stagger on standard guards, available in high density. For elite Axis guards (longer health bars), use the whip trip (low swing) → stomp → grab combo for most efficient takedown.

Stealth Approach

Stealth is never required but dramatically extends resource reserves. Environmental distraction (thrown bottles or rocks) reliably redirects guard attention for 8–10 seconds. Whip trip from behind performs a silent takedown variant when initiated from stealth — use it to clear patrol paths without alert triggers. The Vatican's Guard Captain patrols a fixed 90-second circuit with two blind-spot moments ideal for stealth progression.

FAQ

Is Indiana Jones and the Great Circle on PlayStation?

No — Great Circle is a timed Xbox/PC exclusive. A PS5 version has not been confirmed, though the exclusivity window historically covers 12 months for Bethesda titles.

Is it connected to the Indiana Jones films?

Set in 1937 between Raiders of the Lost Ark and Temple of Doom, Great Circle is canonical to the film timeline. The story is original but consistent with established franchise lore — no film events are contradicted.

How long is the game?

Main campaign: 12–16 hours. Full Codex completion and all side investigations: 20–25 hours. Completionist achievement hunting adds an additional 5–8 hours.

Will there be DLC?

MachineGames has not announced DLC, but the game's structure and the amount of reportedly cut location content suggest post-launch content is likely. No release dates as of mid-2025.