Even if perfect as a video game, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle would still need to honor what Steven Spielberg accomplished with his films.

With Indiana Jones and the Great Circle only a month away from its release, many are super excited to see just what sort of exciting journey MachineGames has cooked up for Indy to go on. To honor what Steven Spielberg’s classic films accomplished, though, the game needs more than action; it needs the same sense of adventure that made those movies a classic in the first place.

Indy, voiced by Troy Baker, in the Great Circle – Image Credit: MachineGames.

A fundamental way the Great Circle can achieve this is by embracing the magic of John Williams’ soundtrack. If MachineGames can channel that iconic soundtrack the way Avalanche did with Hogwarts Legacy, it could breathe new life into Indy’s legendary world to life for a whole new generation to witness.

John Williams’ Iconic Soundtrack Is an Absolute Must for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

Indy using his whip in the Great Circle – Image Credit: MachineGames.

No one can deny that John Williams’ work on this franchise, from the exhilarating brass blasts of the “Raiders March” to the ominous undertones that accompany Indy’s encounters with ancient curses, is as much of a character within the films as Indy himself.

Back when these flicks were still at their peak, the OST didn’t simply feel like music; they felt like an extension of Indy’s relentless drive and curiosity to explore the unknown.

As many would also be aware, the composer is also the mastermind behind the early scores for Harry Potter. His work on the first three movies, for example, added a magical atmosphere that helped define Hogwarts and the world beyond as much as any visual effect.

That first fluttering note of “Hedwig’s Theme” felt like an invitation to a mystical world much different from our own, the same way the “Raiders March” instantly signaled the beginning of an epic adventure.

So, keeping that coincidence in mind, here’s our pitch: MachineGames should adopt an approach similar to Hogwarts Legacy—where the soundtrack pays excellent tribute to Harry Potter films while feeling like taken straight from Williams’ own work.

What the devs can do is draw inspiration from Williams’ blend of suspense and adventure while crafting an original soundtrack that still manages to capture Indy’s essence to keep the game’s tone fresh and authentic.

With an OST like that, the Great Circle would instantly evoke that timeless sense of adventure and discovery, immersing both new and old fans in the world of Indiana Jones in a way that feels as authentic as Spielberg’s films.

What Else Can Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Do to Appeal to Fans of the Series?

Indy solving a puzzle in the Great Circle – Image Credit: MachineGames.

Aside from the soundtrack, the developers can add many different things to the game to make it resonate with fans of the series while going beyond the usual service people have come to expect from such titles.

For instance, instead of heavily relying on familiar tropes like the boulder chase sequence, weight-shifting plates, or Indy’s fear of Snakes, the game could weave in subtle nods to Indy’s world in ways that encourage exploration and replayability.

What we mean is that MachineGames can place unique artifacts, diaries, or text throughout the game’s world, each with some ties to Indy’s adventure during and before Raiders of the Lost Ark and letting players find them on their own.

Such details can quickly transform simple exploration into an Easter egg hunt, rewarding attentive players with hidden references only the most seasoned fans of the franchise would notice.

That is, through carefully chosen music, inventive Easter eggs, and unexpected references, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle could feel as thrilling and timeless as the movies that inspired it.

If MachineGames finds that balance between familiarity and originality, the game might just bring a Spielberg classic into the gaming world in a way that feels genuine and unique.

But, with that said, do you think the Great Circle will capture the magic of Spielberg’s vision? Are there other features you’d love to see in the game? Let us know in the comments below!