Among the best Indiana Jones video games of all time is 2024’s “Indiana Jones and the Great Circle” published by Bethesda Softworks. Taking place within the original film trilogy, the game has Indy uncover the interconnected legend behind ancient sites forming a perfect circle around the globe. Racing against the Nazis and their allies, Indy moves to stop them from recovering the power linked to these sites. In contrast to prior Indiana Jones games, “The Great Circle” takes on a largely first-person perspective, while encouraging exploration and melee combat rather than mindless running-and-gunning.
For those seeking similar games favoring exploration, treasure-collecting, and puzzle-solving, there are plenty of titles to choose from. For this article, we’re highlighting games that capture the spirit of “The Great Circle” while bringing their own sense of action. Some of these games are also played out from a first-person perspective, though most adopt a third-person perspective to give players a wider scope.Â
Uncharted
Sony Interactive Entertainment
Helping keep the adventurer archetype alive for years was Nathan Drake, who debuted with “Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune” on the PlayStation 3 in 2007. The game has Nate investigate a remote island off the coast of South America linked to the mythically treasured lost city of El Dorado. Nate faces off against a small army of rival treasure hunters who want to use the island’s secrets for their own nefarious purposes. This unfolds from a third-person shooter perspective as Nate goes from high-octane set pieces, with the scale only increasing across the “Uncharted” series.
“Uncharted” is a story best experienced from the beginning, though we recommend getting Naughty Dog’s two compilations of the series. “Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection” and “Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection” contain all the mainline titles in the series and are well worth picking up. In playing the entire series, it’s clear that the developers have a soft spot for the legacy of Indiana Jones, right down each major treasure concealing deadly secrets. Though Naughty Dog seems to be done with “Uncharted,” the franchise still holds up nearly 20 years after its debut and it definitely brings the action-packed thrills.
Dishonored
Another action-adventure game published by Bethesda Softworks played from a first-person perspective, “Dishonored” offered fans a sumptuously realized world when it debuted in 2012. The mythology behind “Dishonored” revolves around assassin Corvo Attano who lives in a plague-ridden steampunk city. Framed for the empress’ murder, Corvo goes on the run to learn who was responsible while aiding a local resistance movement. Like “Indiana Jones and the Great Circle,” players are given options on how to proceed, either through stealth or overt combat.
“Dishonored” is a property that’s been left by the wayside by Bethesda, but still holds up over a decade later. While more action-driven than “The Great Circle,” the first-person perspective and ways for players to handle levels definitely aligns with the Indiana Jones adventure. The game also features a cinematic-level of action and star-studded cast that adds to its grandiosity. If the first-person exploration and action of “The Great Circle” is what got you excited about that game, be sure to check out “Dishonored.”
Rise of the Tomb Raider
Numerous “Tomb Raider” games could have made this list because, for a while, it felt like Lara Croft had seized the action-adventure crown from Indy, at least in the gaming space. We’ve personally got to give the nod to “Rise of the Tomb Raider,” the middle installment of the “Survivor” trilogy that began in 2013. The 2015 game has Lara Croft searching for a mythical city in Siberia and its fabled secret to immortality. Naturally, this pits her against a crew of rivals who want to obtain the city’s supernatural possibilities for themselves.
After the stunning transformation of “Tomb Raider” with the series reboot in 2013, “Rise of the Tomb Raider” brings the franchise into more familiar territory. The action is still relatively grounded, as is its humanist depiction of Lara Croft, but the spectacle gradually makes its way back into the experience. The game’s exploration and puzzle-solving mechanics also harken back to Indiana Jones’ adventures in uncovering ancient secrets. Perfectly accessible for newcomers to the series, “Rise of the Tomb Raider” is a franchise highpoint.
007 First Light
One of the most anticipated games of 2026 was “007 First Light” and, upon release, the game exceeded our expectations. The first James Bond video game since 2012’s disastrous “007 Legends,” the title serves as an origin story for Bond becoming a secret agent for MI6. Developed and published by IO Interactive, the studio behind “Hitman,” the game similarly provides a structured sandbox experience that offers players different ways to proceed with a mission. That said, the game still brings the explosive action, unfolding from a third-person perspective in sweeping settings around the globe.
“007 First Light” provides a well-rounded James Bond experience, rather than relying entirely on first-person shooter thrills. Players have to contemplate how to best proceed and are invited to replay missions and use different strategies. That means Bond progresses through much more visibly on his wits than just his skills behind the wheel or with a gun. An imaginative title that rethinks what’s possible for a James Bond game, “007 First Light” brings a globe-trotting cinematic scope to its adventure.
Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced
2013’s “Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag” is easily one of the best “Assassin’s Creed” games ever made and the title received a full remake in 2026. “Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced” retells the tale of Edward Kenway, an 18th century pirate in the Caribbean. Joining the Assassin Brotherhood, Edward becomes aware of their longstanding fight against the Templar Order for the fate of humanity. The gameplay incorporates recent mechanics and quality of life improvements from series titles released after the original “Black Flag,” further optimizing the experience.
“Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced” makes this list over other “Assassin’s Creed” games because of its more pronounced sense of adventure. In addition to all the usual parkour and melee combat action that the series is known for, the game offers players so much else to do. This includes naval combat but, more importantly for the purposes of this list, treasure-hunting around the Caribbean, following clues for rewarding payoffs. AÂ remake worthy of the original’s legacy, “Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced” brings plenty of swashbuckling fun to the franchise.
