In an exciting announcement, Bethesda has unveiled a first look at their highly anticipated video game, "Indiana Jones and the Great Circle." The iconic role of the wise-cracking adventurer will be brought to life by none other than celebrated actor Troy Baker. Known for his memorable gaming roles, including the beloved character Joel from "The Last of Us" franchise, Baker is poised to charm players with his portrayal of Indiana Jones.

MachineGames' co-founder and lead game designer, Jerk Gustafsson, spoke exclusively to EW about Baker's involvement, praising his ability to capture the charm and sense of humor of the legendary adventurer. Furthermore, Gustafsson revealed that Baker is a big fan of Indiana Jones, making him even more invested in the game.

Based on an idea from executive producer Todd Howard, "Indiana Jones and the Great Circle" takes place in the timeline of the Indy films, continuing the story about a year after the events of "Raiders of the Lost Ark" and before "The Last Crusade." The character's animation will maintain the likeness of Harrison Ford's iconic portrayal.

The game kicks off with an intriguing plot. Indiana Jones, having separated from Marion, finds himself adrift after awakening to a crash in his office at Marshall College. He discovers a mysterious man named Locus, voiced by Tony Todd (known for his roles in "Candyman" and "Marvel's Spider-Man 2"), stealing an apparently insignificant artifact. With both the relic and the enigmatic thief now missing, Indy embarks on a journey to the Vatican to unravel the secrets behind this curious incident, only to realize that there is much more to the story.

A trailer and presentation by the creatives revealed some intriguing details about the game. The title, "The Great Circle," hints at the importance of significant historical sites throughout the globe. As Troy Baker's Indy states in the footage, if one were to draw a line connecting these sites, it would form a perfectly aligned circle.

True to the spirit of the Indiana Jones franchise, "The Great Circle" promises a global adventure. Confirmed locations include the Forgotten Temples of the Sukhothai, the pyramids of Egypt, and the snow-peaked Himalayas. The game's main antagonist, Emmerich Voss, voiced by Marios Gavrilis, shares Indy's obsession with uncovering major mysteries and the unknown.

Italian actress Alessandra Mastronardi voices Gina Lombardi, an investigative journalist with a personal stake in the story. While further details about her character are being kept under wraps, Gustafsson teases that Gina is a resistance journalist with her own goals.

"The Great Circle" combines elements of storytelling, puzzle-solving, open-world exploration, discovery, and stealth. Players will experience the adventure primarily from a first-person perspective, but the game will frequently switch to a third-person viewpoint during cut scenes and environmental traversal, giving fans those iconic shots of Indy with his whip and hat.

Gustafsson's vision for the game is to transport players back to the thrilling world of 1980s Indiana Jones films. To achieve this, the team has adopted a cinematic approach, with some action sequences performed by stuntmen in motion-capture suits for authentic visuals. The game will feature classic Indy world map graphics and an original score composed by Gordy Haab in the style of John Williams' renowned music.

Baker's involvement goes beyond just lending his voice. He actively contributed to improving the game by collaborating with the development team during blocking sessions in Sweden. These sessions led to adjustments and changes not only to the script but also to scene setups and camera angles, making Baker an invaluable part of the development process.

"Indiana Jones and the Great Circle" promises to deliver an immersive and nostalgic gaming experience, blending the beloved character's iconic traits with a gripping narrative and thrilling gameplay. Fans of the legendary adventurer can look forward to embarking on an unforgettable journey when the game releases in the future.