Indiana Jones and the Great Circle’s DLC Makes Up For One Base Game Problem

by

This article includes significant plot revelations for Indiana Jones: The Great Circle and its associated DLC, Order of Giants.

The movie titled “Indiana Jones and the Great Circle” did many things correctly. After approximately three decades, enthusiasts were rewarded with a truly thrilling, well-structured Indiana Jones tale that centered around an intriguing mystery. While some may have found the gameplay style of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, which drew inspiration from immersive sims, not to their liking, it was a brilliant approach by developer MachineGames to make this digital journey the most engaging and technologically advanced Indiana Jones video game to date.

However, it’s important to note that Indiana Jones and the Great Circle wasn’t perfect. Some who were captivated by its narrative and appreciated its immersive simulation aspects still had criticisms about the game. Despite this, the DLC for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle titled The Order of Giants doesn’t resolve all fan concerns related to the base game. Instead, it endeavors to address one of the most significant drawbacks in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is Home to Some Lackluster Boss Fights

In my excitement as a devoted fan, I’d like to share that during the approximately 15-20 hours I spent on Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, I found myself engaging in about six formidable boss battles, three of which were against Tony Todd’s character, Locus, who hails from the Nephilim Order – a group entrusted with safeguarding the keys to Noah’s Ark. Each of these epic showdowns with Locus was well-executed, essentially transforming into regular hand-to-hand combat, but against an adversary who is larger and packs a harder punch than typical opponents.

In Indiana Jones and The Great Circle, the climactic battle against Nazi archaeologist Emmerich Voss lacks excitement. Despite being set on top of Noah’s Ark amidst a fierce storm, the fight becomes repetitive due to its extended duration consisting mainly of block-counter-dodge sequences, which soon lose their appeal.

In the game Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, the last two boss battles stand out somewhat, but they aren’t without their imperfections. The encounter with the colossal serpent in Sukhothai is fear-inducing, yet it loses its charm as players are repeatedly tasked with hurling spears at the beast’s head. On the other hand, the confrontation against the blind giant in Gizeh is likely the game’s most noteworthy boss fight due to its employment of stealth and darkness mechanics. However, it soon turns into repetitive blocking, countering, and dodging, which are elements common to all humanoid fisticuffs in the game.

Indiana Jones: The Order of Giants Only Has One Boss Fight, But It’s a Doozy

The Build Up Is Just as Important As The Fight Itself

The central concept in the DLC for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle titled “The Order of Giants” revolves around our hero, Indiana Jones, being assigned to delve into the labyrinthine sewers of ancient Rome in order to unearth the mysteries surrounding the millennia-old Nephilim Order. Prior to venturing into the intricate maze of ancient drainage systems and catacombs, players can come across historical records detailing a formidable, bull-sized gladiator who battled during the rule of Emperor Nero.

Later sources provide a bit more insight about this towering figure. It’s rumored that the colossal warrior originated in Greece, where he was known as the ‘Monster of Crete’, and is linked to the myth of the Minotaur. The legend surrounding him becomes even stronger when participants uncover what appears to be his tomb, adorned with a fittingly complex puzzle themed around gladiators.

Immediately following the solution to the puzzle, players come across the Cult of Mithras – a clandestine group active beneath the lively streets of 1930s Rome. This cult pays homage to the Roman/Iranian deity Mithras, who is famed for his act of slaying a sacred bull in a ritual called ‘Tauroctony’. The cult’s leader aspires that by sacrificing his own symbolic bull, he might attain enlightenment.

In the grand finale, I find myself standing before the colossal Monster of Crete, seated on a throne fit for a king, encased in hefty armor and sporting a helmet shaped like a bull’s head. As the high priest lunges to strike the giant, it stirs from its slumber, crushes the man under its mighty grip, casually discards him, and dares me to a face-to-face battle.

An Arena Befitting Such an Epic Duel

In a dramatic turn of events, Abgal (formerly known as the Monster of Crete and a member of the Nephilim Order) presses a lever beside his throne, causing the platform where he and Indy stand to ascend from the ground. Reaching its peak, sunlight illuminates Indy’s visage, revealing that players now find themselves amidst the ruins of the iconic Rome Colosseum. The climactic battle commences as players navigate through the historic stone remnants of this grand ancient theater, skillfully dodging and evading the boss’ powerful attacks.

A (Slight) Change of Pace

In the confrontation with the Monster of Crete in the original version of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, there is a bit more diversity compared to most standard battles. Although players continue to hurl spears at a large adversary until it collapses, during these throws, they occasionally need to pull off the boss’ armor using a whip, revealing new vulnerable areas for attack. This isn’t a massive improvement in terms of mechanics from the base game’s boss fights, but it does offer a slight additional layer of complexity that helps prevent the battles from feeling too repetitive.

The battle against the Monster of Crete in Indiana Jones: The Order of the Giants isn’t the most exhilarating boss fight in video game history, and much like its predecessors from the base game, it feels somewhat lengthy. However, with a majestic setting, engaging build-up, captivating lore, and enjoyable gameplay elements, this boss battle provides a memorable climax and a fulfilling end to Indiana Jones and the Great Circle’s DLC, offering an unforgettable highlight in the series.

Read More

2025-09-07 23:34