When you hear that The Order of Giants expansion takes around four to five hours, it might not sound short. But compared to the massive scale of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, this expansion feels more like a “side quest,” a small chapter in a larger book. While limited in size, it tries to compensate with a concentrated dose of puzzles, history, and the signature style of Indiana Jones. Here’s our full Indiana Jones The Order of Giants review
Story: Indiana Jones Returns to the Heart of Rome
The expansion begins at the Vatican, where Indy meets Father Ritchie, a young priest with a talkative parrot, who is chasing after a Roman artifact linked to Pope Paul IV. This encounter takes us deep beneath ancient Rome into catacombs, crypts, and the historic Cloaca Maxima sewer system. Along the way, you’ll face secret cults, Roman mysteries, and Mussolini’s followers—complete with Indy’s trademark punches against fascists.
The story expands the lore of the “Nephilim,” monk-like giants descended from fallen angels. While their mystery remains unresolved even after the base game, the expansion ties them to the Roman Empire and the Crusades, mixing historical fact with myth for a compelling narrative.
Gameplay: Puzzles Take the Spotlight
The expansion is far more linear than the original game. While The Great Circle encouraged wide exploration, The Order of Giants narrows the focus to underground corridors and enclosed spaces. Still, the level design includes hidden paths and small secrets rewarding curious players.
The highlight here is the puzzles. This expansion delivers some of the best puzzle design in the series so far: a sophisticated water mechanism, a massive marble maze requiring careful navigation of a burning sphere, and text-based riddles linking ancient stories to environmental clues. These aren’t just “key-and-lock” puzzles but tactile, interactive challenges that break up combat and exploration.
Combat, on the other hand, offers little innovation. You’ll rely on Indy’s heavy punches, simple melee weapons, and occasional explosives. A boss encounter at the end overstays its welcome, leaning on repetition rather than creativity.
Atmosphere and Visuals
Artistically, the expansion maintains the same quality as the base game. The Roman catacombs are richly detailed, with lighting that sets a somber mood.
Troy Baker’s performance as Indiana Jones is once again a standout, with witty and sarcastic dialogue true to the character. The soundtrack stays faithful to the films’ legacy, though you may wish John Williams’ classic theme was used more prominently.
That said, spectacle is absent. There are no hijacked planes, ship deck battles, or Himalayan chase sequences. Everything feels more grounded and subdued. Some may appreciate this tighter approach, while others may find it less cinematic than expected.
Indiana Jones The Order of Giants Review Final Verdict
The Order of Giants may not reshape the experience of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, but it preserves the essence of Indy’s adventures: history blended with myth, cleverly designed puzzles, and that signature sense of humor.
Though modest in scope, it provides four to five hours of solid fun—especially for newcomers diving into the world for the first time. Returning players, however, may feel it’s more of a side mission than a must-play chapter.