Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: The Order of Giants expanded the archaeological adventure with a darker Roman mystery when it released on PC, Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5 on 9 December, 2024, before later arriving on Nintendo Switch 2 on 12 May, 2026. Developed by MachineGames and published by Bethesda Softworks, the DLC introduces a new story chapter that takes Indiana Jones into the hidden depths beneath Rome. While the base game already blended cinematic storytelling with exploration, stealth and puzzle-solving, The Order of Giants leans far more heavily into mystery and ancient conspiracy themes. The expansion draws upon Roman mythology, secret societies and forgotten catacombs to create an atmosphere that feels particularly close to the tone of the classic Indiana Jones films, balancing supernatural intrigue with grounded historical inspiration.

The story begins when Indiana Jones encounters Father Ricci, a young priest searching for help locating a Roman artefact tied to an unsettling legend hidden beneath the city. What initially appears to be a straightforward expedition quickly develops into something far more dangerous as Indy uncovers links to Emperor Nero, underground cult activity and the myth of the Nephilim giants. The Cult of Mithras acts as the central antagonist force throughout the adventure, operating from the shadows and protecting secrets buried deep beneath Rome. Their presence gives the DLC a more sinister atmosphere than some sections of the main game, particularly once the journey moves away from crowded streets and into claustrophobic crypts and forgotten tunnels. The writing leans heavily into suspense and ancient mystery, helping the expansion feel like a self-contained Indiana Jones adventure rather than a simple side mission.

Rome itself becomes one of the DLC’s strongest features thanks to the introduction of a new open-area map filled with historical landmarks, hidden routes and underground passageways. Players move between iconic locations including the Colosseum, Vatican Gardens and the ancient Cloaca Maxima sewer system while uncovering clues connected to the wider conspiracy. The setting allows the developers to combine grand historical architecture with darker subterranean exploration, creating a constant contrast between the beauty of Rome above ground and the danger hidden beneath it. Environmental storytelling also plays a major role, with crumbling ruins, ancient murals and hidden chambers helping build a sense of age and forgotten history throughout the expansion. The attention to atmosphere gives The Order of Giants a distinctly cinematic quality that fits naturally within the wider Indiana Jones universe.

Puzzle-solving remains one of the core gameplay elements, and the DLC continues the main game’s focus on deciphering ancient mechanisms, interpreting historical clues and navigating elaborate traps. Many of the puzzles are tied directly to Roman history and mythology, particularly surrounding Emperor Nero and the Cult of Mithras. Rather than relying entirely on combat, the expansion frequently encourages observation and exploration, rewarding players who carefully study their surroundings. This slower investigative pacing helps strengthen the sense of discovery that defines the best Indiana Jones adventures. The puzzle design also benefits from the underground Roman setting, with crypts, tombs and hidden passageways providing opportunities for more elaborate environmental challenges compared to more open areas from the main game.

Combat and stealth mechanics continue to play an important role throughout the DLC, particularly once players begin encountering cult members hidden throughout Rome’s underground networks. The Cult of Mithras is presented as a persistent and dangerous enemy faction willing to protect its secrets through violence if necessary. Encounters often involve a mixture of stealth takedowns, improvised combat and carefully timed escapes through narrow tunnels and ancient ruins. Like the main game, The Order of Giants avoids turning Indiana Jones into an unstoppable action hero, instead encouraging players to survive through improvisation, quick thinking and environmental awareness. This approach helps maintain the grounded adventure tone associated with the character while still allowing for cinematic action sequences during key story moments.

One of the most discussed aspects surrounding The Order of Giants is its mixed Steam user rating at the time of writing. While many players praise the atmosphere, storytelling and faithful Indiana Jones presentation, criticism has emerged from several different areas. Some users have expressed frustration with technical performance issues and bugs, particularly surrounding optimisation and occasional gameplay interruptions. Others appear divided on pacing, with certain players enjoying the slower mystery-focused structure while others expected a more action-heavy experience. There has also been debate surrounding the DLC’s value proposition relative to its length and scope, especially among players who hoped for a larger standalone-style expansion. Despite those criticisms, a significant portion of the audience continues to praise the world design, puzzle mechanics and authentic adventure atmosphere that MachineGames brings to the licence.

Visually, the DLC maintains the cinematic presentation established in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, with Rome providing an especially strong backdrop for dramatic exploration. Torch-lit catacombs, ancient sewer tunnels and ruined Roman structures create a constant sense of tension and mystery throughout the journey. The contrast between crowded city environments and isolated underground chambers helps maintain variety across the adventure while reinforcing the feeling that hidden secrets exist beneath every layer of the city. Character performances and environmental detail also contribute heavily to the immersion, particularly during quieter investigative moments where the atmosphere becomes more important than direct action. MachineGames clearly leans into the archaeological adventure side of the franchise here, favouring suspense and discovery over relentless combat encounters.

For fans of story-driven adventure games, The Order of Giants offers another opportunity to explore the blend of history, mythology and cinematic exploration that defines Indiana Jones. The Roman setting, cult conspiracy and focus on ancient secrets help distinguish the DLC from other sections of the base game while still feeling completely consistent with the wider tone of the series. Although the mixed Steam reception shows that not every player connected with its pacing or technical performance, the expansion still delivers a memorable archaeological mystery filled with puzzles, hidden chambers and dangerous adversaries. Between its atmospheric Roman environments, cult-driven storyline and emphasis on exploration, The Order of Giants continues the adventurous spirit that has made Indiana Jones one of gaming and cinema’s most enduring treasure hunters.

BUY INDIANA JONES AND THE GREAT CIRCLE: THE ORDER OF GIANTS

THIS DLC REQUIRES THE BASE GAME – INDIANA JONES AND THE GREAT CIRCLE