Indiana Jones and the Great Circlecould be the key to ending Lucasfilm Games' unfortunate track record. There’s a lot for fans of theIndiana Jonesfilm series to get excited about as this game hits Xbox and PC on December 9th. Not only will this be the first true Indiana Jones game in years, but it promises players an exciting first-person action-adventure that will fully immerse them in the world of the famous archaeologist. More importantly,The Great Circlecould be the smash hit that Lucasfilm Games is in desperate need of.
It’s safe to say thatgames based on Lucasfilm properties have struggled for many years, especially when it comes to titles relating to the studio’s most popular franchise,Star Wars. Multiple releases have suffered from a slew of middling reviews and subpar sales, while many titles have yet to see the light of day despite years of development.Indiana Jones and the Great Circlecould be set to change Lucasfilm Games’s fortunes, primarily by improving on the mistakes of previous projects and focusing on providing a thrilling single-player experience.
Lucasfilm Games Have Struggled In The Past
Recent Failures Overshadow Successes
Lucasfilm games have suffered over the past decade thanks in part to the varying quality of experiences.The restructuring of the original LucasArts studio after Disney’s purchase of Lucasfilm led to shifts in development, with EA taking up theStar Warsmantle for a while before the license was opened up to other studios as well. EA’s tenure of the IP saw releases of inconsistent quality, and some games that started development since the end of EA’s exclusivity have been canceled or delayed.
Does Indiana Jones & The Great Circle Have Early Access?
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is one of the year’s most anticipated releases, and early access might let you play it a few days before release.
BothStar Wars: Battlefronttitles developed by DICE faced heavy criticism upon release, either because of the minimal amount of content upon launch or a heavy reliance on microtransactions that ultimately tainted their legacy. Meanwhile,Star Wars Outlaws’s large ambitionwas brought down by repetitive gameplay that likely contributed to the game’s underperformance, whichUbisoftshared when announcing changes to the release plans forAssassin’s Creed Shadows. These games are examples of the lack of attention and polish being given as the studio continues to roll out releases at an unfathomable pace.
Lucasfilm Games was established in 2021 as a successor to LucasArts, which had been operating with minimal staff, but it still serves as a licensor rather than a development studio. While the failings of someStar Warsgames may not be entirely the fault of Lucasfilm Games itself, it does reflect poorly on the franchises under Lucasfilm’s purview. A lack of consistent quality can create dissatisfaction and distrust from players, andthe struggling sales of games likeStar WarsOutlawscould get worse with each subsequent release.
New Indiana Jones Game Could Turn Things Around
The Game Could Be A Wake-Up Call For Lucasfilm Games
Thankfully,Indiana Jones and the Great Circlelooks to be a possible course correction, as it sets out to improve on the issues that have plagued Lucasfilm Games' previous releases. Developed by MachineGames, the game’strailers and showcases have been full of promise, as there’s a clear focus on delivering a thrilling and entertaining gameplay experience first and foremost.The Great Circleseems to be using elements from the developer’s previous first-personWolfensteingames to fullyimmerse the player in the world, engaging in stealth and combat that replicates the same excitement of the films.
Indiana Jones And The Great Circle Preview: Like Stepping Into The Movies
At the heart of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is a wealth of strong world-building and a natural chance to embrace Indiana Jones' stealthy side.
Only time will tell whetherIndiana Jones and theGreat Circlemanages to live up to its expectations, butthe potential success ofThe Great Circlewould be a great start for futureIndiana Jonesgames.Managing to replicate this approach could be the saving grace for future titles such asStar Wars: Eclipseand the highly-anticipatedKnights of the Old Republicremake, and following the lead thatIndiana Jones and the Great Circlewill hopefully set could help keep Lucasfilm Games relevant for years to come.
