MachineGames' first-person journey into 1937 has officially secured its place in the awards season conversation. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle has received nominations for The Game Awards, highlighting both its gameplay loop and its narrative delivery.
The title picked up a nomination for Best Action/Adventure Game, a category that fits the project like a well-worn glove given its mix of stealth mechanics, puzzle-solving, and whip-cracking combat. Perhaps more notably, Troy Baker has been nominated for Best Performance for his portrayal of the legendary archaeologist.
Stepping into the Fedora
Troy Baker's nomination is significant because of the sheer weight of the role. Portraying a character defined by Harrison Ford for decades is a massive risk, but this nomination suggests the performance landed effectively with the voting jury. The game's narrative, set between Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Last Crusade, required a very specific tone—weary but capable, charming but gritty—and this nod validates the casting choice that was initially a major talking point among fans.
Adventure Genre Recognition
The Best Action/Adventure nomination acknowledges the game's hybrid approach. MachineGames moved away from their traditional shooter roots to create something that emphasized exploration and wits over pure gunplay, mirroring the spirit of the films. By leaning into environmental puzzles and stealth rather than just treating Indy like an action hero with a health bar, the developers managed to translate the cinematic language of the 1930s serials into interactive mechanics.
How can I vote for The Game Awards?
If you want to support Indy or Troy Baker in their respective categories, voting is currently open. You can cast your ballot directly through The Game Awards official website. Given the caliber of releases this cycle, seeing a single-player, narrative-driven adventure game in the mix is a solid win for fans of the genre.