Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: Unutilized Iconic Set Piece

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle showcases an array of spectacular set pieces, yet it startlingly overlooks a significant opportunity with one of its most prominent features. Since the release of Raiders of the Lost Ark, the Indiana Jones franchise has become synonymous with unforgettable action sequences. Many contemporary gaming franchises, including Tomb Raider and Uncharted, clearly draw inspiration from the thrilling escapades that define Indiana Jones, effectively weaving their own memorable moments through the legacy of the series.

The Great Circle takes great care in exploring diverse locales, such as the stunning rooftops of the Vatican and a frost-laden ship in an unexpected environment. Typically, when a detail within The Great Circle appears to be a Chekhov’s gun—an element foreshadowed to be significant—it often fulfills that promise. However, an exception occurs in Gizeh, where the anticipated involvement of a passing train disappointingly lacks any real payoff.

The Great Circle’s Train: A Missed Set Piece Opportunity

A Constant Background Presence in Gizeh

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle train in Gizeh

While Indiana Jones never actually boards the train in Gizeh, its presence lingers throughout the exploration of the area. The rumbling tracks above and the wafting smoke in the distance contribute to Gizeh’s rich atmosphere. Trains have long been integral to action genres, spanning from Buster Keaton’s silent classic The General to legendary Western train heists depicted in 19th-century literature. Notably, Indiana Jones has utilized trains effectively in both The Last Crusade and Dial of Destiny.

The omission of a climactic train sequence in The Great Circle stands in stark contrast to the genre’s expectations and squanders the build-up potential for players anticipating an epic confrontation. Conversely, the familiar format of train scenes may serve as a valid reason to forgo this trope, as Indiana Jones aims to push creative boundaries. After all, the only outdated element in the franchise should be Indy’s iconic fedora, while a repurposed train sequence risks feeling less innovative compared to some of the game’s standout moments.

A Train Scene in The Great Circle Might Not Feel Original

It’s All Been Done Before

Nate dangling off a derailed train in Uncharted 2 promo art

With the recent release of Dial of Destiny, timing may have also presented challenges, possibly leading to concerns about redundancy following a film train sequence that delivered some of the most exhilarating moments. While it’s uncertain whether the events of Dial of Destiny directly influenced The Great Circle—especially given the game’s advanced development stages—there could have been late-stage adjustments to differentiate the two projects.

Moreover, Lucasfilm’s involvement in both productions likely played a part in managing narrative overlap, although it’s improbable they would categorically reject a train sequence. In the realm of video games, notably, Uncharted 2 serves as a formidable competitor, opening with a spectacular sequence of Nathan Drake scaling train cars precariously perched on a mountain’s edge. Even if The Great Circle were to feature a train scene, it would need to carve out a distinct identity to avoid unwarranted comparisons with such a renowned moment.

Indiana Jones & The Great Circle’s Plot Makes Sense as Is

The Future Could Always Change Things

The train’s presence in Gizeh effectively supports the storyline, and it’s possible that the developers at MachineGames never seriously contemplated featuring it as a central set piece. Ultimately, prioritizing the narrative flow of The Great Circle takes precedence over incorporating every potential visual spectacle, and the action sequences in Gizeh remain engaging in their own right.

Nevertheless, train scenes are iconic fixtures in popular culture, representing exhilarating action and adventures. Although Indiana Jones and the Great Circle opts not to utilize Gizeh’s train, there remains potential for future installments to harness this classic trope effectively.

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