Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: The Order of Giants Review
When Indiana Jones and the Great Circle launched late last year, it captured the imagination of players and critics alike. The game was a thrilling return to form for one of pop culture’s most beloved adventurers, blending historical intrigue, cinematic presentation, and an outstanding performance from Troy Baker as the iconic archaeologist. On A Gaming Podcast, it even ranked #2 for Game of the Year, narrowly missing the top spot.
Yet, due to timing, The Great Circle missed out on eligibility for The Game Awards 2024. Now, as 2025 begins, MachineGames has brought Indy back into the spotlight with a five-to-seven-hour story expansion, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: The Order of Giants.
The result? A brilliant piece of additional content that reminds everyone why this game stood shoulder to shoulder with the best of last year. It’s a DLC packed with exploration, discovery, and that classic Indiana Jones spirit filled with danger, puzzles, and sharp writing that makes you feel like you’ve stepped right into a lost film reel from the franchise’s golden age.
A New Chapter That Expands the Adventure
The Order of Giants unfolds as a self-contained story set amid the events of the main campaign. You don’t need to finish the base game to play it, and for those who have, it integrates seamlessly into the narrative flow. Players simply fast-travel back to The Vatican to begin, and from there, the mystery begins to unravel.
As MachineGames’ Tor Frick Torvenius explained, the team had “thoughts and ideas on how to make the current storyline and narrative deeper,” and this DLC allowed them to explore one of those threads. Rather than feeling like a side quest, The Order of Giants functions as its own complex chapter, deepening the world and characters while expanding on themes from the original campaign.
You’ll meet Father Ricci, a passionate historian with a talkative parrot who believes he’s uncovered a papal legend, the resting place of a giant’s helmet, an artifact tied to a forgotten order beneath the Vatican. Naturally, Indy can’t resist. What begins as a routine excavation quickly spirals into a race against time involving cryptic symbols, ancient guardians, and another brush with the supernatural.
Classic Indy Puzzles, Turned Up a Notch
If you thought the puzzles in The Great Circle were satisfying, The Order of Giants raises the bar. Right from the start, you’re thrown into an enormous, intricately designed chamber beneath the Vatican, complete with a colossal serpent statue that’s equal parts beautiful and terrifying. Indy’s dry humour returns in full force as he quips his way through traps, deciphering clues, and navigating ancient mechanisms.
These puzzles are more challenging than before, but not unfairly so. They demand careful observation, logical deduction, and a true sense of exploration. Solving them feels immensely rewarding, striking that perfect balance between frustration and satisfaction that the best adventure games achieve.
It’s a deliberate return to the classic Indiana Jones formula adventure through intellect rather than brute force. For fans of the series’ cinematic roots, this is exactly the kind of storytelling and gameplay harmony that keeps the franchise timeless.
Performance, Presentation, and PIO
MachineGames once again demonstrates its mastery of cinematic storytelling. The Order of Giants maintains the same exceptional presentation as the base game — lush visuals, precise lighting, and environments so detailed they look pulled straight from a film set. The marble corridors and candlelit catacombs of the Vatican are hauntingly beautiful, blending historical authenticity with mythic imagination.
Troy Baker continues to shine as Indy, capturing his charm, wit, and gravitas perfectly and a huge shoutout to PIO!
The only downside comes from navigation in a few of the darker, maze-like areas. Some sections lack clear visual cues or direction markers, which can lead to moments of confusion or backtracking. While it never ruins the experience, it can briefly interrupt the otherwise excellent pacing.
That said, the sound design and musical score once again elevate every scene. From the creak of stone doors to the triumphant swell of orchestral themes, the game’s audio is pure cinematic magic.
More Indy, More Adventure
The greatest strength of The Order of Giants lies in its focus. It doesn’t try to reinvent the formula; it simply delivers more of what made the base game special. The sense of scale, the attention to historical mythology, and the thrill of discovery are all here. For players who wanted more of that unmistakable Indiana Jones blend of danger, wit, and wonder, this DLC delivers in spades.
The story’s pacing feels tighter, the puzzles are smarter, and the character moments land stronger. It’s a fine example of how additional content can enhance rather than simply extend a great game.
Strengths and Weaknesses
The Order of Giants is an excellent expansion that reinforces what MachineGames does best cinematic storytelling and world-building. The puzzles are more complex, the presentation remains top-tier, and the performances (particularly Troy Baker and the ever-charming PIO) make the experience thoroughly engaging.
However, the DLC isn’t perfect. Some areas are overly dark and lack clear navigational cues, occasionally leading to frustration. These moments, while minor, slightly disrupt the game’s otherwise impeccable flow.
Still, the pros far outweigh the cons. The Order of Giants offers exactly what fans were hoping for more Indiana Jones, more mystery, and more reasons to fall in love with this series all over again.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: The Order of Giants is a powerful reminder of what makes adventure games great. It’s cinematic, intelligent, and packed with charm. The puzzles are some of the best in the series, the writing is sharp, and the world feels alive with historical intrigue.
While the occasional navigation hiccup and dimly lit environment can frustrate, the overall experience is nothing short of fantastic. MachineGames continues to prove they understand not just how to make a great Indiana Jones game, but how to make a great adventure.
For fans, this DLC is essential. For newcomers, it’s a perfect reason to dive into one of the best modern interpretations of the legendary archaeologist.
Reviewed on PC