Introduction of Full Path Tracing

The wait is over for fans of the iconic adventurer! MachineGames has officially rolled out the first major update for *Indiana Jones and the Great Circle*, a game that launched with great anticipation. Although early access began last Friday for those who opted for the Premium Edition, the full release kicks off today, elevating the gaming experience to new heights.

Enhanced Visual Fidelity

The standout feature of this update is the introduction of full path tracing—a technology that enhances visual fidelity beyond what players experienced in the review version. This new mode is available for gamers wielding NVIDIA RTX graphics cards, but it comes with a hefty requirement of at least 12GB of VRAM for optimal performance.

Performance and Settings Adjustments

A new video comparison by popular YouTuber Tyrian showcases the stunning graphical improvements brought about by path tracing, which allows players to experience ray-traced sun shadows, reflections, and indirect illumination. While the visual enhancements are striking, it is essential to note the significant performance impact. Users of the RTX 4080 reportedly see their frame rates nearly halved with path tracing enabled. Nevertheless, players can mitigate this by adjusting settings like DLSS Super Resolution to Performance and activating DLSS Frame Generation, ensuring a smoother experience without sacrificing too much quality.

Hardware Recommendations

For those seeking the ultimate graphical experience, the NVIDIA RTX 4090 remains the go-to choice, especially with the highly anticipated RTX 5090 set to release next month, promising even greater performance capabilities.

Additional Bug Fixes and Future Updates

In addition to the path tracing feature, this update addresses various bugs, enhancing the overall gaming experience. Notably, developers have taken steps to resolve a previously reported issue where enabling HDR and DLSS simultaneously could create a moiré effect. Future updates also promise support for AMD’s FidelityFX Super Resolution, addressing the needs of a wider audience of gamers.

Known Issues and Temporary Fixes

However, players should be aware of a known issue: if the game is launched with DLSS enabled and performance is slower than expected, the temporary fix involves switching from DLSS to TAA and back again until a permanent solution is implemented.

Availability

*Indiana Jones and the Great Circle* is currently available on PC and Xbox Series S|X, with Game Pass subscribers enjoying access at no extra charge. Fans of PlayStation 5 can look forward to a Spring release as well. Amidst the buzz, my review highlighted this title as one of the best adventure/action games featuring Indiana Jones, combining a captivating story with great level design and breathtaking ray-traced visuals. Don’t miss out—this might just be the best Indiana Jones game ever created!