The following contains major spoilers for
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
.
A significant part of the appeal of the Indiana Jones franchise is its ability to connect its viewers and participants to well-known artifacts or concepts. Raiders of the Lost Ark, for example, is a story about the Ark of the Covenant, whereas Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade is about Indy’s quest for the Holy Grail — both of which are artifacts that are almost common knowledge. This ultimately increases the intrigue of the story, even before it is told, as artifacts such as these remain mysteries to the world, thereby establishing an innate longing in many to know more about them. Unlike the films, MachineGames’ Indiana Jones and the Great Circle revolves around a fairly foreign concept, effectively breaking tradition for the franchise.
When it was first announced, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle‘s name wasn’t necessarily made fun of, but it didn’t carry much weight due to its enigmatic nature. Since its concept wasn’t immediately recognizable, there was plenty of speculation and curiosity about the meaning of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle‘s title, likely even leading some uninterested fans to dismiss it altogether. However, now that Indiana Jones and the Great Circle has been out in the wild for some time, those who have managed to reach the conclusion of its story know that its name means much more than the theory it is based on, which may redeem it in the end.
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Indiana Jones and the Great Circle’s Name Is More Than It Seems
The Great Circle Is a Theory About the Significance of Ancient Sites Around the World
Initially, it would seem as though Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is merely based on the theory of the Great Circle, which Indy even explains at one point during the story. Essentially, the theory of the Great Circle suggests that 17 significant ancient sites around the world align near-perfectly in a single great circle. This idea was presented by researcher Jim Alison around 2001, after he identified the phenomenon and labeled it potentially one of great significance. While the theory has been supported by some, who suggest that the ancient sites were intentionally positioned for one reason or another, it has also garnered criticism and has been discounted as nothing more than a coincidence.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle’s Title Is a Double Entendre of Sorts
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle‘s story does revolve around the theory of the Great Circle, but its epic conclusion attributes more weight to the theory — and in classic Indiana Jones style too. As everything comes to a head in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle‘s story and Voss and Indy prepare for their final encounter, Voss explains the purpose of the sacred stones gathered from each of the 17 locations in the Great Circle. According to his research, the stones were given to Noah, one of God’s servants recorded in the Bible, so that he could transport the ark around the world and gather animals before the arrival of the Great Flood.
When it was first announced,
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
‘s name wasn’t necessarily made fun of, but it didn’t carry much weight due to its enigmatic nature.
Apparently, upon placing the stones onto the wheel of Noah’s ark and then reciting the Adamic words on them, the vessel could be teleported anywhere. What Voss doesn’t discover until he has already recited each of the words, however, is that he has effectively evoked the ineffable name of God in doing so. Unfortunately, because God chose Noah and didn’t choose Voss, Voss was considered unworthy and was killed on account of that. In the end, the Great Circle may be a theory about locations, but it turns out to be much more than that by the end of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle‘s story. Instead, the circle, then, is the great and ineffable name of God, adding even more weight to Indiana Jones and the Great Circle‘s title.
As such, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle‘s supernaturally fueled narrative justifies its once-obscure premise, transforming a geographical theory into a profound exloration of faith and divine mystery. The game’s title, initially enigmatic, reveals itself to carry immense weight, joining ancient legend with Biblical history in a bold way. By positioning the Great Circle not merely as a pattern of earthly alignments but as a manifestation of God’s name, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle cements itself as an authentic Indiana Jones experience, blending myth and legend with the story of an everyday archaeologist who simply wants to preserve history.
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