From the famous boulder chase inRaiders of the Lost Ark, to the frequently censored heart-rip inTemple of Doom, to the oft-quoted Holy Grail Knight scene inThe Last Crusade, theIndiana Jonesfranchise has no shortage of iconic movie moments. Of course,Indiana Jones and the Great Circlecan’t be expected to reference all of the franchise’s best moments, but it’s bound to have plenty ofEaster eggsin store for eagle-eyed fans.
From the trailers released so far, and the recent round of gameplay previews, it seems safe to say that developer MachineGames is trying to makeIndiana Jones and the Great Circleas authentic to the source material as possible. Fans can likely expect to hear plenty of familiar musical themes, Troy Baker is doing his very best Harrison Ford impression, and at least one franchise cameo is already confirmed. But even with all of that,Indiana Jones and the Great Circlemight feel incomplete with a reference to one very specific movie moment.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Needs One Specific Reference To Feel Authentic
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Needs The Indy Hat Roll
The Raiders of the Lost Ark’s entire opening sequence is undoubtedly one of the most iconic action set pieces in cinema history. Indy dropping sand in front of the Golden Idol, avoiding the spike traps that killa young Alfred Molina, the boulder chase, and the ensuing confrontation and getaway from Belloq are all noteworthy moments in their own right.
But there’s one more moment in this sequence that’s spawned a fully-fledged action movie trope. After pulling himself up from a pit of impending doom, Indy manages to scramble under a closing door at the very last moment, snatching his whip away from the door’s frame just as the stone block hits the ground.
This moment is repeated inIndiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, whenIndy, Willie Scott, and Short Roundfind themselves in a room with a falling ceiling and a slowly closing door. Again, Indy manages to squeeze through the door at the last second, but rather than fetch his whip, he takes a moment to rescue his iconic hat, which had fallen in his attempted escape. This little humorous flair quickly became one of the franchise’s defining moments, and it’s now colloquially known as the “Indy Hat Roll.”
The Indy Hat Roll has appeared in countless movies over the years, with the likes ofShrek 2,Tangled,Back to the Future Part 2, and evenPaddingtonall paying homage to the legendary moment. With so many movies and other pieces of media having referenced the Indy Hat Roll, it’d be a bit odd ifIndiana Jones and the Great Circledidn’t feature a similar moment.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle’s ‘Lucky Hat’ Ability Is a Great Sign
In the recent round of gameplay previews, many outlets confirmed thatIndiana Jones and the Great Circlewill feature an unlockable ability called “Lucky Hat.” This ability lets players revive themselves by crawling toward Indy’s hat when downed. This sounds like a really great way to capture the spirit ofIndiana Joneswhile also providing players with a genuinely useful in-game ability, and it’s a great sign thatThe Great Circlewill be packed with winks and nods to the rest of the franchise.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
WHERE TO PLAY
Uncover one of history’s greatest mysteries in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, a first-person, single-player adventure set between the events of Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Last Crusade. The year is 1937, sinister forces are scouring the globe for the secret to an ancient power connected to the Great Circle, and only one person can stop them - Indiana Jones™. You’ll become the legendary archaeologist in this cinematic action-adventure game from MachineGames, the award-winning studio behind the recent Wolfenstein series, and executive produced by Hall of Fame game designer Todd Howard.YOU ARE INDIANA JONESLive the adventure as Indy in a thrilling story full of exploration, immersive action, and intriguing puzzles. As the brilliant archaeologist – famed for his keen intellect, cunning resourcefulness, and trademark humor – you will travel the world in a race against enemy forces to discover the secrets to one of the greatest mysteries of all time.A WORLD OF MYSTERY AWAITSTravel from the halls of Marshall College to the heart of the Vatican, the pyramids of Egypt, the sunken temples of Sukhothai, and beyond. When a break-in in the dead of night ends in a confrontation with a mysterious colossal man, you must set out to discover the world-shattering secret behind the theft of a seemingly unimportant artifact. Forging new alliances and facing familiar enemies, you’ll engage with intriguing characters, use guile and wits to solve ancient riddles, and survive intense set-pieces.WHIP-CRACKING ACTIONIndiana’s trademark whip remains at the heart of his gear and can be used to distract, disarm, and attack enemies. But the whip isn’t just a weapon, it’s Indy’s most valuable tool for navigating the environment. Swing over unsuspecting patrols and scale walls as you make your way through a striking world. Combine stealth infiltration, melee combat, and gunplay to combat the enemy threat and unravel the mystery.THE SPIRIT OF DISCOVERYVenture through a dynamic mix of linear, narrative-driven gameplay and open-area maps. Indulge your inner explorer and unearth a world of fascinating secrets, deadly traps ,and fiendish puzzles, where anything could potentially hide the next piece of the mystery – or snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?
