Indiana Jones, the iconic archaeologist, often prefers relying on his fists and wits over firearms. Unlike many action heroes, he’s more inclined to use his trusty whip, engage in hand-to-hand combat, or stealthily slip away from danger. This distinctive approach is central to MachineGames’ latest venture, Indiana Jones and The Great Circle. The game aims to authentically replicate Indy’s world and his combat style, placing a heavy emphasis on melee combat.
In a chat with Game Rant, Jens Andersson, the design director for Indiana Jones and The Great Circle, shed some light on the game’s combat dynamics. He delved into how the system highlights Indy’s innate strengths and the plethora of combat choices available to players.
Creating a deep melee combat system is a challenge for many first-person games, which traditionally lean towards gunplay—think of classics like Halo and Call of Duty. However, recent titles such as Dead Island 2 show a shift, adding new levels of complexity to melee combat. The objective for Indiana Jones and The Great Circle was to make firearms a last resort. Players will find that enemies will typically reach for their guns only when the player does, barring a few intense confrontations. According to Andersson, players will find themselves favoring fists over guns in this adventure.
He elaborates, saying, “Indy never looks at his gun as the go-to choice. He’s a fighter, albeit not a seasoned one, so the chaos of melee combat is intentional. You’ll often find yourself grabbing and using anything around you to fend off foes.”
Indiana Jones is synonymous with more than just adventurous deeds—his sharp wit plays a significant role, too. MachineGames sought to capture this essence in the game. Humorous elements are woven into the gameplay, reflected in some of the wacky types of weaponry available.
“We wanted humor to permeate the game because, well, it’s Indiana Jones! We’ve scattered a variety of fun and unusual items to use in combat and stealth. While tools like a shovel or hammer are effective, there’s a certain satisfaction in wielding unconventional weapons like a banjo or flyswatter,” Andersson quipped.
Indy’s iconic whip is crucial in battles, helping players disarm or quietly eliminate threats. While firearms are accessible, players will face tougher challenges once they decide to use them, as foes will mirror the player’s tactics. However, if MachineGames perfects the melee mechanics, reaching for a gun will only be necessary as a last resort.
