Indy's Still Cracking the Whip: New DLC, PS5 Shenanigans, and Even Prettier Hair (Seriously)

AI Gaming News Author · Game Rant ·

Indy's Still Cracking the Whip: New DLC, PS5 Shenanigans, and Even Prettier Hair (Seriously)

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle just dropped Update 5 and 'The Order of Giants' DLC, bringing new challenges, shiny RTX hair for PC, and a 'Very Light' difficulty. The game's cross-platform success, especially its surprise hit on PS5, proves that great content transcends exclusivity, with whispers of a Switch 2 port and even a sequel on the horizon.

Right, so apparently, the digital archaeologists over at MachineGames have been busy since ol' Indy first graced our screens late last year. And by busy, I mean they've dropped a stonker of an update (Update 5, for those keeping score) and a brand-spanking-new slice of adventure called 'The Order of Giants' DLC. I've been tinkering with this story all morning, and bloody hell, it’s wilder than it first appeared, especially when you consider the journey this game's been on.

First off, let's talk about 'The Order of Giants'. If you're anything like me, you probably devoured every puzzle and punched every Nazi in 'Indiana Jones and the Great Circle' back when it landed, and now you're itching for more. This DLC is your ticket, mate. It’s out now and slots right into the game, assuming you've got Update 5 downloaded. For those who splashed out on the Premium or Collector's Editions, you're golden – it’s included. For the rest of us, it’s available as a standalone purchase. Always a bit of a dance, isn't it, figuring out the best way to get your hands on new content? But hey, more Indy is rarely a bad thing.

Now, the base game itself, despite initially being an Xbox Series X/S and PC exclusive, has been quite the adventurer in its own right. You know that feeling when you cast a spell and it works a bit too well? That's what Microsoft just did by porting 'The Great Circle' to PlayStation 5 back in April. Fair dinkum, it absolutely *flew* off the digital shelves on Sony's hardware, selling faster than on any other platform. It just goes to show, sometimes locking your treasures away isn't the best strategy for a global treasure hunter, eh? MachineGames has clearly struck gold with this one, earning critical and commercial acclaim for its puzzles, the voice acting (Troy Baker as Indy is just *chef's kiss*), and a story that feels straight out of the classic films. Comparisons to 'Uncharted' and 'Tomb Raider' are well-deserved – it’s a proper action-adventure romp.

So, what else did Update 5 bring to the archeological dig site? Well, aside from making the game compatible with the new DLC, there are a few interesting tweaks. For those who prefer their ancient ruins with less immediate peril, they've added a 'Very Light' difficulty. I mean, I love a good challenge, but sometimes you just want to soak in the atmosphere and solve a clever puzzle without a dozen heavily armed blokes trying to put an end to your expedition. So, fair play, accessibility is always a win.

PC players, get ready to have your collective minds blown (or slightly amused) because Update 5 also brings support for RTX Hair on 50-series Nvidia RTX GPUs. Yes, you heard that right – ray-traced hair. Because nothing screams 'immersive ancient adventure' quite like hyper-realistic individual strands of Indy’s fringe catching the light as he narrowly escapes a booby trap, right? They reckon you'll need 16GB of VRAM or more to truly appreciate this follicular fidelity, which does make you wonder if my graphics card is going to spontaneously combust trying to render a perfectly rendered eyebrow. Still, it's cool tech, and who doesn't love pushing the boundaries of what our digital heroes can look like?

Beyond the hair-raising tech, there are some really thoughtful quality-of-life improvements. The Quick Inventory now gives you a heads-up on which outfits and disguises are safe or restricted in your current area. No more accidentally waltzing into a Nazi stronghold in your 'I Love Peruvian Beaches' t-shirt! Plus, they've added new Radio MCs to the Jazz and Opera stations and even some news broadcasts on the Vatican radio sets, which is a neat touch for immersion. Little details like that often make a big difference to the overall feel of a game, don't they?

And, of course, a good update always means bug squashing. Loads of general fixes, mission-specific glitches ironed out (like Indy's whip not animating correctly after certain deaths – I mean, talk about breaking character!), UI improvements, audio tweaks, and even some platform-specific fixes for PC, Xbox, and Steam Deck. No one wants to be stuck in a scorpion pit because a game marker decided to take a holiday, or have their controls lock up during a stealth takedown. Good on MachineGames for keeping the experience smooth.

Looking to the horizon, the 'Great Circle' saga isn't just about this update. We recently got confirmation at Gamescom Opening Night Live (back in August) that the game is heading to the Nintendo Switch 2 sometime in 2026. This is clearly part of Microsoft’s ongoing strategy of getting their first-party hits onto more systems, and given the PS5's stellar reception, it's definitely paying dividends. More players means more adventures, more stories, and frankly, more reasons for game devs to keep making these fantastic experiences.

And for those who are always looking for whispers in the digital wind, a recently spotted ZeniMax job listing might just be hinting at a 'Great Circle' sequel. Phil Spencer, the big boss over at Microsoft Gaming, has already expressed how chuffed they are with the game's success, strongly implying that more Indy content is very much on the cards. So, while we're enjoying 'The Order of Giants' and revelling in Indy's perfectly ray-traced hair, it seems our beloved archaeologist might be cracking that whip for many more years to come. What a time to be a gamer, eh?

It’s fascinating to see a game not just succeed, but truly thrive across multiple platforms, proving that when the content is king, players will follow, regardless of the banner. This isn't just an update; it's another chapter in what's shaping up to be a modern classic, showing that even in this wild digital age, a good old-fashioned adventure can still steal the show.

Tags: IndianaJones, GamingUpdate, DLC, MachineGames, XboxPlayStation

Original article: Game Rant