REVIEW: Indiana Jones and the Great Circle and the new "The Order of Giants" DLC on Xbox

Review by Jon Donnis

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle has set a high bar for licensed action-adventure games, and MachineGames delivers a truly cinematic experience that feels faithful to the films while offering depth for players. The game's story, set between Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Last Crusade, sees Indiana Jones chasing a mysterious power connected to the Great Circle across iconic locations including Vatican City, Giza, the Himalayas, Shanghai, and Sukhothai. The mix of first-person exploration with third-person contextual sequences may initially feel unusual, but it allows for precise puzzle-solving, engaging stealth sequences, and fluid combat. The whip is brilliantly implemented, serving as a traversal tool, combat weapon, and puzzle-solving mechanic, and every movement or swing of it feels satisfying and cinematic.

The world design is a highlight. Large sandbox levels like Vatican City and Giza encourage exploration, with hidden relics, collectibles, and optional Fieldwork missions that reward curiosity. Adventure Books offer permanent boosts, incentivising careful observation, while the "Lucky Hat" mechanic keeps the action flowing without excessive frustration. Stealth mechanics are particularly strong, letting players sneak past enemies, hide bodies, or use disguises strategically. Combat feels weighty and responsive, with stamina management, melee, firearms, and explosives all requiring thought. Voice acting is superb across the board, with even Indiana Jones himself sounding convincingly like Harrison Ford. Cutscenes are smooth, beautifully animated, and bring the story to life.

The Order of Giants DLC expands this foundation impressively. Set in Rome, it immerses players in a fresh story that feels connected yet distinct. Indiana is called to help Father Ricci track a Roman artifact, but the quest quickly escalates into a perilous journey involving sinister plots by Emperor Nero, gladiator games, and the mysterious Cult of Mithras. The cultists, clad in dark red robes, strike from the shadows, adding tension to both stealth and combat encounters. The DLC opens up new areas across Rome, from the crumbling Colosseum ruins to the serene Vatican Gardens, then descending into the foreboding Cloaca Maxima and hidden crypts below the city. The sense of verticality and layered design in the catacombs and sewer systems adds depth to exploration, and the puzzles, while sometimes easy, are integrated naturally into the environment and story.

Graphically, both the base game and DLC are striking, with detailed environments, well-animated characters, and atmospheric lighting that enhances the sense of adventure and danger. If you have the Xbox Series X make sure you download the extra graphics/textures pack, yes I know it is another 40gb, but if you have room on your hard drive it is worth it, if you are on Xbox Series S, it wont make too much of a difference.

Combat and stealth remain as satisfying as in the main game, and new encounters with cultists and complex traps give players more opportunities to test their skills. The DLC is best enjoyed after a fresh playthrough or at least following the Vatican level, as it picks up the narrative seamlessly and adds layers of intrigue without feeling tacked on.

Minor criticisms remain. The DLC is relatively short, leaving players wishing for more content, and some puzzles lack challenge. For the main game, the shift between first- and third-person perspectives can feel jarring at times, and a full third-person option might have suited players used to that viewpoint in action-adventure titles. These, however, are small blemishes on an otherwise polished experience.

Overall, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is an outstanding action-adventure game, blending cinematic storytelling, engaging gameplay, and faithful franchise recreation. The Order of Giants DLC complements the base game beautifully, delivering new locations, intriguing characters, and fresh challenges. Together, they create an experience that both long-time fans and newcomers can enjoy. Base game: 9/10. With the DLC included, the adventure only becomes richer and more satisfying, cementing the series as a benchmark for licensed games done right.

Out Now on Xbox, get the Premium version and you will get this and any future DLCs included.

https://amzn.to/4nmuM4d

The Order of Giants DLC is available separately at 

Xbox.com

REVIEW: Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream (2025 Video Game) - On Xbox

Review by Jon Donnis

Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream is one of those rare stealth adventure games that manages to feel both intimate and expansive at the same time. It's set in this fictional Nordic city, Eriksholm, which feels like it's been lifted straight from the early 1900s with a perfect blend of elegance and grit. The isometric perspective really helps bring that world to life, allowing you to soak in the details while plotting your next move.

You start off playing as Hanna, a young orphan whose brother Herman vanishes after stealing something valuable. From there, it quickly turns into a tense, layered narrative about family, loyalty, and the unexpected consequences of actions. Alongside Hanna, you gain control of two other characters, Alva and Sebastian, each bringing their own skills to the table. This swapping mechanic adds depth to the stealth gameplay, since you're constantly thinking about how best to use their unique abilities, Hanna crawling through vents, Alva scaling drainpipes, Sebastian swimming through water, to outwit your pursuers.

What stands out most is the game's atmosphere. The city of Eriksholm feels alive and a little dangerous, every shadow inviting you to hide, every corner threatening discovery. The animations in the cut scenes are stunning, smooth, and detailed, which only pulls you deeper into the story. For a game with such a tight stealth focus, the controls are surprisingly accessible. It's easy to pick up but doesn't feel shallow. There's a satisfying tension in navigating through guards and using environmental clues to avoid detection. And if you get caught, the game nudges you back just before, keeping the frustration low but the stakes high.

The story itself is genuinely gripping. It's personal without being overbearing, and the mysteries unravel with some solid twists that keep you guessing. It's the kind of narrative that stays with you after you've put the controller down. The puzzles aren't overly complicated but provide enough variety and challenge to keep things interesting. They feel fair and well integrated into the story rather than shoehorned in.

On the downside, Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream is quite linear. If you're someone who thrives on open-world exploration or likes wandering off the beaten path, this might feel restrictive. The city is detailed and beautiful, but you don't get the freedom to roam anywhere you want, which could be a disappointment for those used to more sandbox-style stealth games.

Still, for what it sets out to do, it does it brilliantly. The blend of narrative and gameplay, the sharp design of the levels, and the well-crafted characters make it one of the best isometric stealth adventures in recent years. I'm not usually a fan of the genre, so for me to come away this impressed says a lot.

I really enjoyed my time with Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream and would give it a strong 9.5 out of 10. It's definitely worth your time if you want a thoughtful, atmospheric stealth game with a story that stays with you.

Out now on Xbox - Xbox.com/en-US/games/store/eriksholm-the-stolen-dream/