GOG just made a major announcement that will thrill DRM-free gaming advocates and Indiana Jones fans alike. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, the critically acclaimed first-person adventure from MachineGames and Bethesda Softworks, is now available on GOG starting October 28, 2025. This marks the game’s debut on the popular DRM-free storefront, nearly ten months after its original December 2024 release on Steam and other platforms.
Complete DRM-Free Experience
The GOG release includes the full base game along with all available DLC and content options. Players can grab the standard edition at 20% off or upgrade to the Premium Edition which bundles the base game with The Order of Giants story DLC and a digital artbook. The Premium Edition is getting an even steeper 30% discount during the launch window, making it the best value for newcomers to Indy’s latest adventure.
This DRM-free release means no online activation required, no always-online connection checks, and full offline playability. You own the game files completely, which aligns perfectly with GOG’s philosophy of preservation and consumer rights. For players who value digital ownership over rental-style licensing, this is exactly what they’ve been waiting for since the game launched last December.
What’s Included in the GOG Release
- Indiana Jones and the Great Circle base game with 20% launch discount
- The Order of Giants story DLC available separately or bundled
- Premium Edition bundle with 30% discount
- Digital Premium Upgrade for base game owners
- Full offline gameplay with no DRM restrictions
- GOG Galaxy achievements and cloud save support
- Controller support for gamepad players
- Multiple language support including English, French, German, Spanish, and more
A Microsoft Game on GOG
Perhaps the most surprising aspect of this release is that Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is published by Bethesda Softworks, which Microsoft acquired as part of their massive ZeniMax Media purchase. This marks a significant commitment from Microsoft to release their games across multiple storefronts rather than keeping them locked to Xbox and Windows Store ecosystems.
Microsoft executives have repeatedly stated they want their games everywhere, and this GOG release backs up that rhetoric with action. The company already supports Steam releases for their first-party titles, but bringing games to GOG shows they’re serious about reaching players regardless of platform preferences. For a company that once kept everything exclusive to their own services, this represents a massive philosophical shift.
About the Game
Set in 1937 between the events of Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Last Crusade, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle puts players in the boots of the legendary archaeologist as he races against sinister forces hunting for an ancient power connected to mysterious sites around the globe. The first-person perspective immerses you directly in Indy’s world, letting you crack the whip, solve puzzles, and navigate dangerous locations with the character’s trademark resourcefulness and humor.
MachineGames, the acclaimed studio behind the modern Wolfenstein series, developed the adventure with executive producer Todd Howard overseeing the project. That pedigree shows in the game’s cinematic presentation, environmental storytelling, and satisfying combat that blends stealth, melee brawling, and gunplay. Reviews praised the game’s attention to detail in recreating the Indiana Jones atmosphere and its commitment to exploration-focused gameplay over mindless action.
| Location | Setting | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Marshall College | Starting point | Tutorial area introducing mechanics |
| Vatican | Rome, Italy | Mystery investigation and artifact hunting |
| Pyramids of Egypt | Giza | Ancient riddles and environmental puzzles |
| Sukhothai | Thailand | Sunken temples and underwater exploration |
The Iconic Whip Returns
Indiana’s trademark bullwhip serves as both weapon and tool throughout the adventure. You can use it to disarm enemies, distract guards during stealth sections, and create environmental opportunities by swinging across gaps or pulling distant objects. The whip mechanics capture the spirit of the films while translating smoothly to interactive gameplay, making you feel like you’re actually wielding this iconic artifact.
Combat offers multiple approaches depending on your playstyle. Sneak past enemy patrols using shadows and distractions. Engage in fist fights with Nazi thugs using Indy’s brawling skills. Pull out your revolver when situations get desperate. The game rewards creative problem solving over brute force, staying true to the character who prefers his wits over weapons whenever possible.
Launch Discount Details
The sale runs through November 5th at 2 PM UTC, giving players about a week to take advantage of the discounted pricing. The standard edition normally retails for $69.99 but is currently $55.99 with the 20% discount. The Premium Edition sees an even better 30% reduction, though exact pricing varies by region.
This timing coincides perfectly with GOG’s massive Autumn Sale 2025, which features over 4,000 discounted titles running through the same November 5th deadline. If you’re building a GOG library or looking to catch up on DRM-free classics, this is the perfect opportunity to grab both new releases and vintage gems.
System Requirements
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is a demanding modern title that requires 121 GB of storage space on Windows systems. The game takes full advantage of current generation hardware with detailed environments, realistic lighting, and smooth animations that bring 1937’s globe-trotting adventure to life.
AMD GPU owners will be particularly pleased to know that recent Mesa 26 driver updates significantly improve performance for this title on Linux systems. While GOG lists the game as Windows-only, Steam Deck and Linux desktop users have reported positive experiences running it through Proton compatibility layers.
GOG Galaxy Integration
While the game works completely offline without any client software, GOG Galaxy users get additional quality of life features. Cloud saves let you continue your adventure across multiple PCs without manual file transfers. Achievement tracking adds optional challenges for completionists. The overlay provides quick access to screenshots, friends lists, and game time tracking.
Controller support works seamlessly whether you prefer keyboard and mouse for precise aiming or gamepad for more relaxed couch gaming. The game was designed with accessibility in mind, offering multiple control schemes and customization options to suit different player preferences and accessibility needs.
Community Reaction
Reddit’s PC gaming community celebrated the GOG release with enthusiastic responses. One highly upvoted comment called it a fantastic game and encouraged Indiana Jones fans to grab it immediately. Another praised Microsoft for following through on their commitment to release games everywhere, noting this represents a positive shift in the industry away from platform exclusivity.
The DRM-free aspect particularly resonated with GOG’s core audience who’ve been requesting this release since the game launched last December. Many players who skipped the Steam version due to DRM concerns are now jumping in, proving there’s real demand for preservation-focused digital distribution even in 2025.
Order of Giants DLC
The story DLC The Order of Giants expands Indiana’s adventure with additional missions, locations, and mysteries to uncover. While it’s included automatically in the Premium Edition, players who already own the base game on GOG can purchase it separately or grab the Digital Premium Upgrade that bundles the DLC with the digital artbook at a discounted rate.
Bethesda and MachineGames designed this DLC to integrate seamlessly with the main campaign rather than feeling tacked on as an afterthought. New puzzles leverage mechanics you’ve already mastered while introducing fresh challenges that test your problem-solving skills in creative ways.
GOG Preservation Program Connection
While Indiana Jones and the Great Circle isn’t part of GOG’s official Preservation Program (it’s too new for that designation), the storefront’s commitment to game preservation makes it the ideal home for titles players want to own permanently. GOG’s recent Preservation Program additions included classics like Tomb Raider GOTY, Hitman Codename 47, and Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell, showing the company’s dedication to keeping gaming history alive.
The fact that major publishers like Bethesda are willing to release new AAA titles DRM-free on GOG suggests growing industry acceptance of preservation-focused distribution. As more games disappear from storefronts due to licensing issues or publisher decisions, having DRM-free backup options becomes increasingly important for consumers who actually want to own their digital purchases.
FAQs
When did Indiana Jones and the Great Circle release on GOG?
The game launched on GOG on October 28, 2025, nearly ten months after its original December 2024 release on other platforms like Steam.
Is there a launch discount for the GOG version?
Yes, the standard edition has a 20% discount and the Premium Edition has a 30% discount. The sale runs through November 5th at 2 PM UTC.
Does the GOG version include all DLC?
The base game and The Order of Giants story DLC are available separately or bundled together in the Premium Edition. All content from other platforms is available DRM-free on GOG.
Can I play Indiana Jones and the Great Circle offline?
Yes, the GOG version is completely DRM-free with no online activation required. You can install and play the game entirely offline without any internet connection.
Who developed Indiana Jones and the Great Circle?
MachineGames developed the game with Todd Howard serving as executive producer. Bethesda Softworks published it.
What platforms is the game available on?
The game is available on Windows PC through GOG, Steam, and other storefronts. Xbox console versions also exist. The GOG version is Windows-only but works through Proton on Linux systems.
How big is the download size?
The game requires 121 GB of storage space on Windows systems. Make sure you have sufficient hard drive space before downloading.
Conclusion
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle’s arrival on GOG represents a win for DRM-free gaming advocates and a positive sign for the industry’s future. The fact that Microsoft-owned Bethesda is willing to release major titles without digital restrictions shows that publishers are listening to consumers who value digital ownership. With the 20% launch discount running through early November, there’s never been a better time to experience MachineGames’ love letter to the Indiana Jones franchise. Whether you’re a longtime Indy fan or just looking for a quality first-person adventure that prioritizes exploration and puzzle-solving over mindless action, this DRM-free release gives you the freedom to play on your terms without platform restrictions or always-online requirements. Grab your fedora and whip because adventure calls, and this time you actually own the game files.