Indiana Jones has long been a beloved icon in the world of cinema. Now, with the release of "Indiana Jones and the Great Circle" by publisher Bethesda and developer MachineGames, fans have the chance to step into the shoes of the legendary adventurer in a whole new way. This game takes the essence of the Indiana Jones franchise and transforms it into an immersive gaming experience that lives up to the highest cinematic standards.

Unleash the Adventurer Within - Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

Setting the Stage: 1937 - Between the First and Second Movies

In 1937, Indiana Jones finds himself at a crucial point in his career. After the events of the first movie, he is now employed at Marshall College in Connecticut. But when a mysterious break-in occurs and a cat mummy is stolen, Indy is thrust back into action. He follows clues to the Vatican, where he begins his latest adventure.

The Vatican serves as the first of the game's three hub-areas, filled with Mussolini's fascists. But with a clever priest disguise, Indy is able to move freely among them. His camera becomes an invaluable tool, helping him solve puzzles and earn Adventure Points for enhancing his abilities.

Melee, Stealth, and Whip-Traversal - The Core of the Gameplay

While Indy does have a revolver, he prefers to rely on his fists and whip. Melee objects litter the levels, allowing him to knock out enemies stealthily. His two-handed fist-fighting system is sophisticated, with blocking, dodging, and powered-up punches.

The whip is a key element of the gameplay, used to disarm enemies, pull them close, and perform takedowns. Upgrades for the whip add even more depth to the combat, making Indy a formidable force.

Traversal is also a major part of the game, with Indy using his whip to swing to inaccessible areas and climb vertical surfaces. Later in the game, a clever use of spears and giant mushrooms adds an extra layer of puzzle-solving to the traversal.

idTech Motor - A Striking Visual Experience

Using id Software's idTech Motor, the game offers a first-person view that is both immersive and cinematic. The level-design is breathtaking, with Hollywood-style techniques and depth of field creating a truly stunning atmosphere.

When crawling through cracks or along ledges, Indy seamlessly transitions to third-person view, allowing players to fully appreciate his glory. The seamless blending of action and cut-scenes is exemplary, adding to the overall cinematic experience.

Side-Missions and Activities - A World to Explore

The game is filled with side-missions and activities, divided into two tiers. Fieldwork missions are large and intricate, generating chains of sub-plots, while Mysteries are more self-contained but equally compelling.

Exploring the vast swathes of each hub-level becomes an obsession, as players gain an intimate geographical knowledge of the game world. And with the ability to return to any hub after advancing the main story, there is always more to discover.

Comparing to Other Franchises - Puzzles and Plot

The puzzle-solving aspect of "Indiana Jones and the Great Circle" is in a league of its own. It blows both Tomb Raider and Uncharted out of the water in terms of volume, variety, and quality. The same goes for the overarching plot, which is just as cinematic and engaging as the movies.

Indy acquires a companion, Italian investigative journalist Gina Lombardi, and their relationship develops in a believable and interesting way. Snakes, scorpions, and memorable villains add to the excitement.

Zooming Between Locations - Spectacular Action Sequences

Beyond the hubs, the game takes Indy on a journey between locations such as the Himalayas and Shanghai. Spectacular action sequences, sometimes involving on-rails shooting, provide a change of pace and satisfy the need for cinematic thrills.

There are also boss-battles that require specific tactical approaches. While not perfect, they add an extra layer of challenge to the game.

Living Up to the Movies - Stealth First Principles

Towards the end of the game, Indy is given more access to automatic weapons, but the game still sticks to its stealth-first principles. When going guns-blazing, Indy often finds himself surrounded by enemies, but he can always find a way to bypass them with stealth.

In every aspect, "Indiana Jones and the Great Circle" lives up to the beloved movies. Its production values meet and sometimes exceed those of the most recent Indiana Jones movies, and its plot is just as outlandish and unlikely.

But perhaps the most impressive thing about the game is the way it makes players feel like they are truly Indy, starring in their own movie. It is a gaming experience like no other, a true masterpiece.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Review: Verdict

"Indiana Jones and the Great Circle" is not a lazy homage. It is a proper new Indiana Jones film that has been translated into a video game. Players control Indy with all his signature moves and quirks, fulfilling the dreams of fans around the world.

This is one of the finest cinematic gaming experiences you will ever play. It combines the best of adventure, action, and puzzle-solving to create a truly unforgettable journey. Indiana Jones has never been more alive than in "Indiana Jones and the Great Circle."

Imagine a world where a simple chocolate treat transforms into a culinary treasure. Truffles, often mistaken as just a sweet indulgence, hold a much more fascinating story. NBC Chicago's Food Guy Steve Dolinsky embarked on a remarkable journey a few weeks ago, venturing into the forests of Northern Italy and Croatia in search of these elusive fungi.

Uncover the Hidden Delights of Truffles

Black and White Truffles: Nature's Priceless Gems

Truffles come in two distinct varieties - black and white. These precious fungi are impossible to cultivate, relying solely on the keen noses of trained dogs in the wild. Italy's Piedmont region is renowned worldwide for its truffles, but the lesser-known Croatian region of Istria also plays a significant role. Istria, a peninsula jutting out into the Adriatic Sea opposite Venice, is famous for its wine, olive oil, and of course, truffles. However, finding these truffles is no easy task, as Steve Dolinsky discovered one morning near the village of Šćulci.The first sound that greets you in the morning is not that of a rooster but of truffle-hunting dogs. Lagotto Romagnolos and labradors are trained from a young age, specifically three months old, to detect the alien-like tubers known as black and white truffles. Armin Hadžić, a truffle hunter, shared that this year has been dry, resulting in a reduced truffle harvest. "Now they offer a lot of money just to encourage hunters to come here and try their luck," he said.If a truffle hunter and their dogs are successful, they are rewarded handsomely. Truffles can fetch around a thousand dollars per pound. After a 45-minute adventure through a damp forest covered in autumn leaves, the Romagnolo finally hit paydirt - a white truffle. "You need a dog with the ability to smell one meter deep," Hadžić emphasized.Back at Karlić Tartufi, the truffles undergo a meticulous process. They are scrubbed, cleaned, and air-dried before being packaged for shipment to the United States, where they will grace tables in a day or two. In Karlić's dining room for tourists, they showcase the various applications of truffles. There are four types of black truffles that retail for more than $500 per pound, while the rarer white truffles can command six times that amount."Why are they expensive? Because they are rare. Very, very rare," explained Lidija Sirotić, one of the managers at Karlić Tartufi. Shaved raw, truffles add a unique perfume to anything they touch. "From cold dishes like salami and cheeses..." Sirotić continued. But their aroma and flavor also enhance warm dishes. "Like pasta and scrambled eggs," she added.In the West Loop, Monteverde focuses on regional Italian cooking, particularly homemade pastas. Truffles make a regular appearance on their menu for half the year, especially during this season. "White truffles are best shaved on top, never cooked with. Black truffles, on the other hand, can handle more robust flavors," said Sarah Grueneberg, the chef-owner of Monteverde. She currently offers a potato and Montasio cheese-filled žlikrofi pasta from the Friuli region, a rich dish perfect for cooler weather. "Brown butter, a little chopped truffles, and honey with a shaving of black truffles on top," she described.Tajarin, a hand-cut angel hair pasta, is tossed with European butter, rolled into a log, and drizzled with Parmesan fonduta. It is then brought to the table, where a generous shaving of white truffles is added. "It's quite fun for the chefs to come out and shave the truffles and interact with the diners," Grueneberg said.At Riccardo Trattoria in Lincoln Park, Riccardo Michi has been purchasing truffles for nearly 20 years. Usually, they will shave about 5 grams of black truffles onto dishes like warm polenta with fried eggs. The blacks can withstand the heat. "Black truffle has a longer season and is more common. White truffles are more prestigious and precious," Michi explained. But whites are also shaved tableside on tagliolini, a neutral canvas. Michi admits that it is nearly impossible to describe the eating experience. "It's difficult to explain. You have to try it for yourself," he said.By the way, Monteverde is hosting a truffle dinner on Monday night, and tickets are still available. Several other local restaurants are also offering truffles from Istria. You can learn more about where to find them from the local importer - Tartufo Prestige Chicago.Featured spots:Monteverde1020 W. Madison St., 312-888-3041Riccardo Trattoria2119 N. Clark St., 773-549-0038Tartufo Prestige@tartufoprestige.chicago (Instagram)If you're planning a trip to Croatia, don't miss Karlić Tartufi.