This game is so good, you could plan an entire Roman holiday based on Indy’s adventures!
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is one of the best games to come out in 2025; well, technically, it released on Windows and Xbox in December 2024. Fans of the franchise have hailed it as the perfect bridging story between Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Last Crusade. Not bad for a video game when compared to epic movies. Of course, it helps when the development team has as much love and respect for Indy’s story as the fans — and it shows. From the characterisation of Indy’s hat to the strength in Indy’s constitutional disgust towards fascism and Nazis. Most of all, it is shown in the careful consideration for the culture and landscape depicted in every chapter of the game. MachineGames has taken great care in capturing the essence of every location. This game encourages you to explore, but it also entices you to adventure out into the real world and rediscover history for yourself. Best of all, the developers always encourage Responsible Travel. There is no destruction of real artifacts or sites in the game, and you should always show the same respect in real life.
There are nine (9) separate locations used in The Great Circle; each with its own distinct culture and geographical depiction. This article focuses on Roma, Italy and Vatican City, as shown in The Great Circle and the additional DLC storyline, The Order of the Giants. We’ll revisit the other locations in the near future.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
If you’re not familiar with the game, here’s a quick summary: The Great Circle is an action-adventure game played in first-person, featuring numerous stealth elements and a compelling narrative. It’s set immediately after the first movie in the franchise, Raiders of the Lost Ark, opening with a flashback to the first scene of the movie in the Peruvian jungle. As the player, you control Indy and all that comes with him–including his whip and infamous hat. While the game does include some fight scenes, it can be played in ‘story mode’, minimising the violence and focusing on stealth and storytelling.
The story begins at Marshall College, where Indy wakes up to a break-in by a mysterious assailant: a giant wearing a medallion that resembles the Vatican Secret Archives. The subsequent clues lead you on a global adventure through the Vatican, Egypt, China, Thailand, and Iraq. All of these locations are connected by the Great Circle, a story that spans multiple cultures and shares a common legend: The Great Flood. As Indiana Jones, you are racing against a Nazi archeologist and occultist (Voss) who believes the Great Circle holds awesome power. Voss is determined to use this power for the benefit of the Third Reich, and not the greater good of all mankind.
First Stop: Roma, Italy
Once Indiana Jones recognises the medallion, he is already packing his bag and heading to Roma, Italy. However, Rome in 1937 is not a safe time. It is at the height of fascism, under the control of Mussolini and his black coats. While much of the game is filled with stealth, disguise, and a few timely punches, your real-life adventure should be a little more on the curious adventure side. The following suggestions are inspired by Indy’s journey, but you do not have to follow them exactly. Take your time, explore the neighbourhoods, and revel in recognising key scenes from the game.
Castel Sant’Angelo
Indy starts his mission in Castel Sant’Angelo, the famous Castle of the Holy Angel. This round, ominous tower is known for its use as a papal fortress, with the Passetto di Borgo providing Catholic popes with an escape route from the Vatican. Prior to its papal connections, the castle was actually the Mausoleum of Hadrian and his family. The original design included an extravagant garden on top with a statue of a golden chariot pulled by four (4) horses, called a ‘quadriga’. Hadrian was also responsible for the ornate Pons Aelius, the bridge lined with angels that led from the centre of Roma across the Tiber River. Unfortunately, the urns and ashes were looted and scattered by Visigoth raiders during Alaric’s sacking of Roma in 410 CE, and any remaining valuables soon ended up in the Vatican.
The popes converted the structure into a castle around the 14th century. Pope Nicholas III commissioned the Passetto di Borgo as a fortified corridor to connect St. Peter’s Basilica and provide an escape route in the event of a threat. It has subsequently been used twice by popes in that exact manner: Pope Alexander VI used it when Charles VIII invaded Rome in 1494, and Pope Clement VII during the Sack of Rome in 1527.
Castel Sant’Angelo is now open as a museum and offers tours across the Passetto di Borgo. The museum also offers accessibility tours for visitors with mobility or claustrophobia concerns. Top Tip: travel like Indy and join an evening guided tour of the passage. The lighting enhances the secretive aesthetic of the historic escape route. Various guide groups offer night tours, such as Coop Culture (ticket details here).
Let’s Break into the Vatican
Fortunately, we no longer need the secret tunnels. The Vatican is now mostly open to the public, offering numerous opportunities to explore its rich history, culture, and opulence. There are three (3) key areas featured in The Great Circle that are pretty high on the ‘Must See’ list: The Sistine Chapel, The Gardens, and The Necropolis.
The Sistine Chapel
Located within the Apostolic Palace and Vatican Museum, the Sistine Chapel is possibly the most famous chapel in the Vatican (if not possibly all of Italy). Originally known as Cappella Magna (the Great Chapel), this masterpiece is more a homage to the classic artists of the Renaissance than a religious site. The most famous contributor is Michelangelo, responsible for the absolutely stunning ceiling and The Last Judgement, displayed above the altar. Lesser-known frescoes were created by Botticelli, Perugino, Pinturicchio, Ghirlandaio, and Rosselli. The scale of artistry is indescribable. It evokes a strong emotional response, capturing beauty through iconic storytelling. You may notice that the artwork appears a bit brighter in real life compared to the 1937 accuracy of The Great Circle. In 1984, the chapel underwent restoration, including extra protection in some areas.
There are three things you need to know before you go: first, you cannot take any photos inside the chapel. You may see people sneaking photos, but it really is not worth the risk. The imagery captured in The Great Circle is absolutely phenomenal, and you can always grab a few postcards on the way out. It is not worth the stress of being caught by security and unceremoniously thrown out of Vatican City.
Second, the Sistine Chapel is only accessible through a full Vatican Museum Tour. There is no bypass ticket just for the Chapel. Personally, I don’t mind. The tour is filled with a wealth of history and culture to explore. The artwork is amazing, some of which is also featured in the game. This is definitely one of those moments to slow down and take your time to soak it up. The only downside is you may feel overwhelmed by the extravagance and opulence, with gold leaf and detailing almost everywhere. It is slightly off-putting when you think about what the Catholic Church is meant to represent, and where some of these riches were taken from.
Third and final point: it will be crowded. There is no quiet day or ideal time. Top Tip: Check your dates against free entry dates and cruise ship arrivals. You can check the Vatican Museum calendar here. If you are looking to stay within a budget, the Vatican Museum is open for free on almost every last Sunday of the month (except those that fall on special holidays). However, these days are extremely popular, with lines that stretch around the block and beyond. Cruise ships also have daytrips to the Vatican Museum, where you will often see a harried guide trying to rush a group of cruise tourists, bypassing some exhibits to ensure they return to the ship on time. You want to avoid these.
The Vatican Gardens
Behind the Vatican Museums lies an oasis, removed from the crowds and papal extravagance. You will also find the Fontana del Sacramento, easily identified by the dragons atop the towers on either side of the fountain, which served as the inspiration for the Fountain of Confession. Built by Giovanni Vasino in 1605, the fountain once led to the headquarters of the Papal Mint. The same building is now used as a warehouse — and no, there is not a secret tunnel underneath or behind the main feature. Instead, the fountain is considered one of the more relaxing and serene locations to catch your breath while exploring the Vatican City.
The Vatican Necropolis
Indy only touched upon the secrets of the Vatican Necropolis! It is still relatively young in terms of its rediscovery, unearthed around 1939 during archaeological excavations in the area. The site, however, dates back to at least the First Century CE, including the Tomb of the Julii from the Third Century CE, for the family of Julius Caesar. It is also said to hold the supposed tomb of the Apostle Peter, around 64-67 CE. Developers from MachineGame visited the Vatican Necropolis to ensure the authenticity of representation in The Great Circle, despite much of the game’s aesthetics being adjusted to match a 1937-era setting.
Fortunately, you can join the same tour. However, tickets are very limited, with only 250 visitors allowed per day. Rather than a simple ticket purchase, visitors must first apply to the Vatican and advise their preferred Visit Date Range. Surprisingly, the price is reasonable at around €20.00. You can find more details on the official website here.
Roaming the Streets of Roma
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle offers some extra travel inspiration with the DLC Order of the Giants, released in September 2025. The additional game time takes you out of the Vatican, across the Tiber, and into the belly of the Colosseum. While we do not recommend stealing a boat to cross the river or wading your way through the Cloaca Maxima (also known as the sewers), there are a few highlights to check out on your way to the Forum. Keep an eye out for random frescoes along the way, as many neighbourhoods continue to preserve their fantastic heritage.
Casina Pio and Palazzo Ricci
Both the Casina Pio and Palazzo Ricci are not open for regular visitors, but game purists and architecture geeks will still enjoy visiting these sites. Casina Pio was a small papal villa situated in the Vatican Gardens, used by many popes as either a residence or a secondary retreat for rest and relaxation. It has since been modified and now hosts the Pontifical Academy of Sciences. The building is a short walk northwest from the Fontana del Sacramento, behind the Vatican Museum.
Palazzo Ricci has also been renamed and is now known as Palazzo Sacchetti. The small palace features an elbow facade overlooking Via Giulia, the last remaining example in Rome. The building once contained numerous frescoes; however, some were removed during recent restorations.
Tiber River
It’s about an hour’s walk from Vatican City to the Colosseum, particularly if you take the same route as Indiana Jones. Take yourself out of St Peter’s Square and first head south-east towards Ponte Principe Amedeo Savoia Aosta. Once you have crossed the bridge, follow Via Giulia for about three blocks to see the Palazzo Ricci-Sacchetti. Then continue south-east down to Ponte Sisto, but do not cross the bridge. From here, you can follow the east side of the Tiber until Ponte Palatino, which is built next to the opening of Cloaca Maxima–aka, the Great Sewers. It’s one of the world’s earliest drainage systems and even had its own Roman Goddess watching over it: Cloacina.
Nearby are two landmarks worth noting that Indy never saw, as he was wading through the underground sewers. Across the road from Cloaca Maxima is the Temple of Hercules Victor, the earliest surviving and mostly intact marble building in Rome (and the only one made of Greek marble). Its round design, surrounded by a colonnade, is said to be based on a local folk belief that no flies or dogs will enter the building.
One more block over, and you reach the Bocca della Verità , also known as the Mouth of Truth, located outside the Basilica di Santa Maria in Cosmedin. It is believed to have originally been housed in the Temple of Hercules Victor but was later moved to the Basilica. Legend says it will bite off the hand of any liar who places their hand in its mouth. More likely, it is a face depiction of Oceanus, and was used as a drain cover in the Temple of Hercules Victor (which had an open space in its roof), or used to drain blood during cattle sacrifice to Hercules. Neither of these options is as cool as the Liar’s Hand legend.
On the other side of the Basilica is the famous Circus Maximus (Circo Massimo). What is now a green space used for concerts and events was once a magnificent marble arena that could seat 250,000 for chariot races. It is also the site of the Baths of Caracalla and Roma’s largest secret Mithraic temples, as shown in The Great Circle. This archaeological site is absolutely breathtaking, dating back to the Third Century CE. Mithras was at the peak of his popularity, a solar deity worshipped for strength and known for his bull sacrifices. You will learn all about it in Order of the Giants, with any further mention risking spoilers.
While the Mithraeum is connected with the Circus Maximus, there is no known underground path to the Colosseum, so you will need to continue your journey above ground. Online ticketing for this area can be convoluted, but you can start your search on the official site here. It may also be covered with the MIC Card (Musei in Comune Roma).
Meeting at the Colosseum
The developers responsible for the Colosseum in the game spent as much time on-site as the remaining developers for the rest of the game. The attention to detail is amazing! When the platform rises up into the Colosseum, the atmosphere appears to shimmer between ancient and modern times. It is the same feeling when you first step into the Colosseum. Years upon years of structure and activity seem to echo around the walls, in and out of tunnels both seen and unseen.
The Colosseum was used for various forms of entertainment, including the more famously known gladiatorial shows, known as munera. There were also animal hunts, or venatio, which brought in animals from far and wide, such as rhinoceroses, elephants, crocodiles, and panthers. The battles and hunts were almost upstaged by the elaborate sets featuring moving trees, major buildings, and even filled the arena with water to create mock sea battles. With all of this violence, there is an odd sense of calm and morbid acceptance in the arena. Even with crowds of tourists, you can still find a moment and pause for the many gladiators who died for morbid entertainment.
The ancient Flavian Amphitheatre was built in 70 CE, and remains one of the top heritage sites in Rome today. It is often crowded, with a very strict approach to ticketed time-entry. There is also high security at the site entrance, including metal detectors. You will be required to present a photo ID to match the tickets. Small bags and water bottles are permitted, but all other items will be denied entry. There are many stairs to consider, so wear comfy shoes and a hat or some sun-shade during warmer seasons. There are also additional tours for underground areas, which sell out quickly. It’s worthwhile making yourself familiar with the official website here.
Let’s Revisit the Highlights
Here’s a suggested itinerary, if you want to follow in the steps of Indiana Jones:
- First day: Vatican Museum
- Start early to give you more time to soak up the beauty of the Sistine Chapel.
- Escape to the Gardens for some quiet away from the crowds, maybe with a picnic lunch near the Fontana del Sacramento.
- Follow up your afternoon with a visit to the Basilica. Remember to bring some cash with you to pay for the elevator at least halfway up to the roof. It’s stairs the rest of the way, but the view is absolutely worth it.
- Catch the tour of the Necropolis (pre-booked) at the end of the day.
- Head over to Castel Sant’Angelo for a night tour of the Passetto di Borgo and the museum galleries.
- Second day: Head back to the Vatican Museum early in the morning, then start your walk along the Tiber to Circus Maximus, stopping at Palazzo Ricci and Cloaca Maxima along the way.
- Take a guided tour of Circus Maximus, including an underground tour of the Mithraeum and the Baths of Caracalla
- Head to the Colosseum (with pre-purchased online tickets for lunchtime onwards), and lose yourself in the history.
- If you have time at the end of the day, catch the last tour of the Roman Forum before heading to bed after your grand adventure.
Thanks to the detailed research from the game developers, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is a brilliant starting point for a Roman holiday. It’s easy enough to picture yourself back in the game, while still appreciating the real-world amazement. Enjoy your adventures, and don’t forget your hat!
