Indiana Jones and the Great Circletakes fans back to the iconic archaeologist’s globe-trotting adventures, but when exactly does this story unfold? While we know that it takes place between the movies, the exact timeline of them can be murky at times, although we know that the year it takes place is 1937.

Historically, 1937 was a tumultuous year, marked by political tension and cultural shifts, providing a rich backdrop for Indy’s newest escapades. Here, we’ll explore how The Great Circle fits into the fictional Indiana Jones timeline and the real-world historical events that shape its story.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle image showing Indy explaining the great circle to Gina.

Beware Of Spoilers For The Game Ahead!

When Does Indiana Jones And The Great Circle Take Place?

In terms of the game’s place in the fictional timeline, we have a full breakdown of all ofIndiana Jones’ stories here. In short,the game is set in 1937, placing itbetween Raiders of the Lost Ark(1936)and The Last Crusade(1938).

There is also a sequence that recreatesthe beginning of Raiders of the Lost Ark, but the game never takes place there. It is actuallya dream sequence, with Indiana waking up in his civilian attire at his job in the museum, having dreameda flashback of his previous adventure.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle showing the titular character.

The Historical Context Of 1937

Indiana Jonestravels all over the worldin The Great Circle, with each place he visits beingin some form of turmoildue to the real-world politics of the time. This is a clear reference tothe war brewing on the horizon, namely World War 2, which history places asstarting in 1939.

The most historically significant places Jones visits arethe Vatican City, Egypt, Shanghai, and Thailand.The final area of the gameis set in Iraq, although it all happensin a fictional Ziguratwith very little ties with the real-world politics of the time.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle image showing Father Ventura.

Italy And The Vatican City

While there was aheavy presence of fascist soldiersin the Vatican area of the game, the Pope at the time, Pius XI,denounced Mussolini’s actions, trying to maintain neutrality in the independent sovereign state. This is why we never see the villains of the gamedealing with the Pope, instead dealing withFather Ventura to enter the Vatican’s treasury.

Ventura even mentions being worried about the Pope’s reaction due to leading the fascists to the treasury.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle image showing A man holding his hand up in front of the sphynx in Gizeh.

Mussolini’s Italy and Hitler’s Germanywere already allies at the time, so it is no wonder that Emmerich Voss, the antagonist of the game,can come and go as he pleases.Voss threatens Ventura withrevealing something hidden about the man, a clear reference tothe real Father Ventura, who was said to be a homosexual.

Egypt

Thereisn’t that much of a focusin Egypt on its politics and real-world happenings at the time, althoughthe game being set in 1937 is significant.Only a year prior,the Anglo-Egyptian Treaty was signed, giving the people of Egyptgreater control of their affairs, while stillallowing British forces to have military camps there.

This is a key reason as to whymost NPCs can be engaged in English, since they were occupied by British forces not that long ago.Political tensions were still high in Egypt, but it is not something that the game delves too deep into.

Indiana Jones And The Great Circle image showing Gina and Indy on a japanese plane.

Japan’s Invasion Of China

Japan and China hadalready faced off in various skirmishesbefore the big conflict started, but it all came crashing down whenJapan invaded Shanghai in August 1937. This is said to be thefirst major conflict of World War 2, at least on the Asian side.

Indianadoesn’t willingly go into an ongoing war, but istransported there randomlyalongside Gina when they usean artifact to escape the Himalayas.With this, Indy faces off against soldiers fromall major players of the Axis Powersduring the game:Germany, Italy, and Japan.

Indiana Jones And The Great Circle image showing Pailin and Indiana Jones.

Siam/Thailand

Siam, much like Egypt, looked togain autonomy and remain somewhat neutralin the upcoming conflicts, but as we see during the game, the locals had few tools toresist a direct military occupation.It isn’t seen in the game, but the country would later be able tosign a Treaty of Friendship, Commerce, and Navigationwith France in December, strengthening the nation further.

Siam officiallychanged its name to Thailand in June 1939, with the name meaning ‘land of the free’ in Thai. The country would latersign a military alliance with Japan in 1941, although it didn’t get too involved in the years left of the war.