Wolfenstein developer MachineGames will be hoping to knock it out of the park on the first go, though, and not have to rely on what will essentially be a second launch a few months later. Announced during Gamescom Opening Night Live, we weren't aware of the PS5 port prior to the show, meaning we couldn't secure a press appointment away from the show floor. However, a kind Bethesda PR representative handed us a Fast Pass to attend a public briefing in the Xbox booth on the Saturday. Our impressions of the game are based on that access, but it's possible more information was shared in the media-only presentation.
Having watched 10 to 15 minutes of gameplay footage — along with following the development of the game in general — Indiana Jones and the Great Circle rightly draws comparisons to Uncharted as it offers a globe-trotting adventure full of combat, puzzles, exploration, charm, and charisma. Much of the discussion surrounding the title has been focused on its perspective: first-person. It makes sense for a MachineGames joint after it honed its craft across a few different Wolfenstein entries, but the camera does zoom out at select point to third-person so you can catch a glimpse of Indy doing his thing. You'll have a full view of him climbing, during cutscenes, and his hands appear on-screen when the whip is used or he's running. With MachineGames clearly preferring to produce its games in first-person, this approach is probably just about the best of both worlds you can get.
Controlling Indiana Jones has always been something of a player fantasy, and during the many gameplay sections tying the story together, the comparisons to Uncharted appear to remain apt — except with a first-person camera. You'll have the whip by your side at all times. In combat, you can use it to knock guards off their feet so you can get in close and utilize a combat system based around brutal melee action rather than guns. Then, during puzzle sections and general exploration, it can pull levers from a distance or activate buttons. Indy will also have his revolver as a last resort, and a lighter to burn away cobwebs and light the path ahead during darker sections.
Combat breaks up those explorative ventures, focusing on fist fights. Indy does have a revolver and footage showed Indy wielding an MP40, but the experience overall does seem to focus on fisticuffs. You can perform melee combos after knocking an enemy off their feet with the whip, with a range of brutal takedowns and finishers eliminating them for good. These killing blows can be particularly savage and gory, with a very satisfying crunch when you slam a shovel off an enemy's head. It might feel a bit too over the top, but then you remember they're Nazis so it's all completely okay.
Will you be playing Indiana Jones and the Great Circle on PS5, or will you jump in straight away with the initial Xbox Series X|S and PC launch? Let us know in the comments below.
