After a mixed 2024 for Xbox, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle has a chance to prove why Microsoft deserves Bethesda – and all its acquisitions, actually

Dec. 9, 2024

Year in Review | This year’s Xbox exclusives have been overshadowed by corporate movements, but there’s hope on the horizon

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It’s true: Microsoft’smass layoffs and organizational venturescan make it hard to focus on the Xbox wins in a sea of unknown quantities. As the year rounds out with its biggest game release of the year, it feels like Microsoft has been holding its breath the entire time. It seemingly wants to prove why all these studio buyouts were not only necessary, but imperative to the sustained evolutionary success of each one. That’s where we stand right now, with all hopes pinned on a certain whip-cracking archeologist – and the wait could well be worth it.

Sins of the father

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle feels the most rewarding when you’re being stealthy, and it captured my heart with one little reference

In a year where recently-acquired studio shutdowns have led many to question Microsoft’s integrity in purchasing them, Indy provides an opportunity to cleanse this bitter taste from our collective palate. To that end, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle has two main goals from where I’m standing: first, to make bank (duh) and second, to show off how Bethesda is thriving under Microsoft.

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Indiana Jones has a hell of a lot riding on his strapping shoulders if Microsoft wants to make me forgive and forget.

But there are some bright spots amid the darkness. I cannot understate how important Ninja Theory has been in proving Xbox’s chops this year as a key player to rival PlayStation.

I stand by what I wrote in myHellblade 2 review; the game is a paragon of technical brilliance, showing just how powerful the humble Xbox Series X|S can be with the right minds working behind it. Sure, its heavy leanings on the cinematic, atmospheric experience might not be a universal draw, but nobody can deny that Ninja Theorydoesseem to be thriving in the care of Microsoft. It’s one example of the excellent work Xbox is able to produce and facilitate when the stars align and funds are used well.

But with so much uncertainty, is even Ninja Theory safe? A technical marvel though it is, it seems Hellblade 2 never received the raucous attention I’d argue it deserved. That said, Microsoft has shown repeatedly that simply producing good – let alone high-grossing – work has no bearing in exempting studios from the tumult of structural changes. Being a critical Game Pass success couldn’t save Tango from falling victim, after all, and despite PUBG publisher Kraftonswooping in to save itwith a well-timed studio buyback, it stands out in my mind as one of Xbox’s biggest losses of the year. All this to say, Indiana Jones has a hell of a lot riding on his strapping shoulders if Microsoft wants to make me forgive and forget.

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