Indiana Jones And The Great Circle – the man in the hat is back, again (Bethesda) The big Xbox exclusive from Christmas 2024 is now available on PS5 and it’s still one of the best action adventures of recent years. Prior to the release of Raiders of the Lost Ark, archaeology seemed like a very fusty profession. One undertaken by aged historians combing through ancient books or fastidiously preserving crumbling artefacts with tiny brushes. Indiana Jones changed all that, with his attitude towards the occupation later inspiring Lara Croft and Nathan Drake’s essentially criminal endeavours. Many younger gamers may no longer realise what a debt those franchises owe to Indiana Jones, especially after the last two lacklustre movies. The Great Circle is certainly better than either of those and indeed the original Xbox version has already been held up as an example of how an older film series can be successfully continued without having to make an actual movie. It’s more an interpretation of the films, and their various elements, than a direct adaptation, but it does feature a good balance of historical accuracy, supernatural weirdness, and potentially world-ending danger; making it feel warmly familiar, whilst also providing all new adventures for Indiana Jones that aren’t limited by how old Harrison Ford happens to be. The Great Circle in the title involves a series of spectacular and completely genuine ancient sites spanning the circumference of the globe. That’s a solid excuse for a bit of exotic travel and, as is traditional, you’re in a race with a leeringly evil Nazi uber-archaeologist, to determine the fate of the world. Made by MachineGames, the studio founded by former Starbreeze developers and justly renowned for the exceptionally high quality Wolfenstein reboots, Indiana Jones And The Great Circle is a stylish and highly polished first person action game that works in a similar manner to those game, and Starbreeze titles such as The Chronicles Of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay and The Darkness. There’s very little gunplay in The Great Circle, which might sound like bad news given how lame first person fisticuffs tend to be, but it’s to the developer’s credit that they manage to elevate it – partly by giving you the option to use stealth to creep up behind your far right foes with a claw hammer or shovel. But even when you have to fight them head on your whip gives fights a bit more space, and the stamina system helps keep things at least lightly tactical. You’ll also discover a variety of power-ups in the form of books and comics, each of which offers a different skill or stat increase. Once acquired you need to unlock new abilities with experience points, earned by completing mission objectives and using your camera to snap various antiquities as you explore. It’s a tightly managed system that rewards exploration with a steady stream of upgrades, gradually tilting combat in Indy’s favour. As ever though, the real stars of the show are the places you visit, with sprawling maps riddled with secrets and alternative ways of achieving your goals. Beginning with the classic opening tomb from Raiders of the Lost Ark, you’re taken on a tour of the Vatican in Mussolini’s Rome, the pyramids at Gizeh, the high Himalayas, and plenty more, and even though it concludes with a tediously drawn out boss fight, the journey to get there is consistently excellent. Originally released on PC and Xbox last year, the PlayStation 5 version is largely identical, but does make use of the DualSense, supplying subtle haptic feedback for everything from decking guards to attaching your whip to beams, so you can swing across otherwise insurmountable gaps. You’ll also find the controller’s light bar gives you extra clues about what’s going on, flashing yellow when enemies are actively looking for you, and red when Indy’s health is low. This version has perceptibly shorter load times, thanks to the PlayStation 5’s SSD, and gloriously crisp 4K visuals if you have a PS5 Pro, but other than those relatively minor enhancements it’s the same game as on Xbox Series X/S. That means lots of puzzles that are designed not to hold you up for too long and plenty of exploration both above and below ground, often sparked by chancing across a note or document tipping you off to a nearby secret worthy of investigation. You hardly ever use a gun (Bethesda) There are plenty of collecting tasks of varying difficulty, the most prominent being the search for black market medicine bottles to help the resistance, for which you’re rewarded extra health and stamina. You can also choose to view the entire game either in screen-filling widescreen, or 70mm style with black borders at the top and bottom, the latter providing a truly cinematic experience. Troy Baker’s turn as Harrison Ford is pitch perfect, as is David Shaughnessy’s take on Marcus Brody, played in the films by the inimitable but now long dead Denholm Elliott. The result is a highly engaging romp that perfectly mirrors the atmosphere, humour, and action of Raiders of the Lost Ark. The number of effective gags is about the same, but that means they’re stretched over a much longer period of time than a movie. Particularly after playing the game for a second time. it’s clear that its action scenes are on a much smaller scale than anything in the films. There’s virtually no vehicle or car chases, just a very brief sojourn in a fighter plane and on a boat, with no attempt to mimic anything like the truck chase from Raiders, the minecart sequence from Temple of Doom, or the tank set piece from The Last Crusade. More Trending And while Troy Baker is great, Indy’s female companion is given little to do, in terms of plot or action, with only a few of the side characters, such as the hard-of-hearing priest, making any lasting impression. Still, as a bit of world-spanning escapism with amusingly brutal combat – the meaty Lucasfilm sound effects making every punch land like an express train – it’s hard to beat. The PlayStation 5 version is at least as good as the Xbox release, it’s very occasional glitches never proving more than a fleeting distraction. For PlayStation owners who enjoyed Uncharted, this will be a thrilling and singular treat, that offers a very different take on similar subject matter. Indiana Jones And The Great Circle PS5 review summary In Short: A brilliantly realised and atmospheric first person action game, that turns the spirit of Raiders of the Lost Ark into a fully-fledged adventure with role-playing trimmings. Pros: Superb level design that’s full of secrets and optional collectibles. Spectacular scenery throughout and first person combat that manages not to suck. Troy Baker is remarkable. Cons: There’s a noticeable lack of vehicular action and the shift from first to third person, when Indy climbs ladders or girders, is jarring. Score: 9/10 Formats: PlayStation 5 (reviewed), Xbox Series X/S, and PCPrice: £69.99Publisher: BethesdaDeveloper: MachineGamesRelease Date: 17th April 2025Age Rating: 16 *available on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass from day one Better than the Dial of Destiny (Bethesda) Email gamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter, and sign-up to our newsletter. To submit Inbox letters and Reader’s Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here. For more stories like this, check our Gaming page. GameCentral Sign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

Smartphone buyers are increasingly looking to “renewed” phones for excellent value and Amazon’s renewed program is leading the way. One product is currently very popular on the leading marketplace: the renewed iPhone 13. This phone has become Amazon’s #1 best-seller in the entire smartphone category, even beating out some brand-new phones. It’s no wonder as it offers top-of-the-line Apple quality at a fraction of the cost: Priced today at just $290, that is a record low for the model and a stunning deal in comparison to the iPhone 16 which is running 3 or 4 times the cost. See at Amazon Still Powerful in 2025 The iPhone 13 remains a very powerful phone even to this day in 2025: It features Apple’s A15 Bionic chip which still runs iOS 16 smoothly and loads all the newest apps and updates. Its 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display boasts great imagery with rich colors and it is perfect for anything from video streaming to photo editing. Its twin 12MP cameras deliver quality images and video like such features as Night Mode and 4K video capture. For most users, those specs are plenty enough for everyday usage and you don’t have to waste more money for a premium phone. What makes this Amazon deal even more interesting is the value that it represents compared to purchasing new. The iPhone 16 may boast upgrades like the A18 chip and a higher-resolution camera, but for many users, these improvements are incremental rather than truly essential. The core experience (performance, battery life and access to Apple’s ecosystem) remains largely unchanged between the iPhone 13 and its newer counterparts. Amazon’s renewed initiative ensures these phones meet high standards of quality. Each phone is thoroughly inspected, tested, and cleaned by quality suppliers to make it as good as new. While it will not arrive in Apple’s original packaging or include certified accessories, it will have no apparent cosmetic defects when viewed at arm’s length. In addition, Amazon offers a 90-day replacement or refund policy for added peace of mind. The price is where this deal get very popular: At $290, this refurbished iPhone 13 is less expensive than most mid-range Android phones and yet offers the quality build and performance Apple fans expect. Compared to the iPhone 16’s premium price of $800 or higher, this deal is fantastic and allows you to enjoy flagship capabilities at a tiny fraction of the cost. This kind of bargain is difficult to find in the current market, especially given inflation and tariffs pushing prices in technology higher. See at Amazon

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A child’s bedroom should be a safe haven where they can get enough sleep to develop properly, but many bedrooms contain a hidden danger that is sure to make parents weary. A recent pair of studies has revealed the prevalence of harmful chemicals that are slipping into bedrooms through the mattresses children sleep on. The studies show that babies and young children are at risk of breathing in and absorbing chemicals as they sleep. These chemicals — including plasticizers called phthalates and flame retardants — have a chance of inducing neurological and reproductive problems, asthma, hormone disruption, and cancer. Researchers are now calling for more rigorous testing to ensure mattresses are rid of chemicals that could pose a major developmental threat to children. Chemicals in Bedrooms The two studies aimed to uncover the extent of SVOCs (semivolatile organic compounds) in children’s bedrooms, with their findings published in Environmental Science & Technology and Environmental Science & Technology Letters. SVOCs are especially common around what the researchers call a child’s sleeping microenvironment (SME), which consists of bedding materials, pillows, toys, and the surrounding air. Since the chemicals are often not chemically bonded to materials like mattresses, they end up permeating the air, dust, clothing, and skin. The first study measured SVOC concentrations in 25 bedrooms of children aged 6 months to 4 years; the results showed “concerning levels of more than two dozen phthalates, flame retardants, and UV-filters in bedroom air," according to a statement. Chemical levels, the researchers noticed, were highest right around the beds. A second study followed up by examining 16 newly purchased children’s mattresses. The researchers observed significant SVOC emissions from the foam and covers of the mattresses; they also conducted simulations to confirm that a child’s body temperature and weight cause higher emissions to be released from the mattresses.The Dangers of SVOCs for Children Research suggests children may breathe and absorb plasticizers called phthalates, flame retardants, and other harmful chemicals from their mattresses while they sleep. (Image Credit: University of Toronto)Young children are particularly vulnerable to SVOCs due to having a breathing rate that is 10 times higher than adults, more than three times the skin surface area relative to their body weight compared to adults, and more hand-to-mouth contact. SVOCs pose a series of health risks for children. Phthalates and flame retardants are hormone disruptors, and some are even linked to childhood asthma and cancer. Exposure to these chemicals can also give rise to learning disorders, reduced IQ scores, behavioral problems, and impaired memory. The researchers were perplexed by the frequency of flame retardants, which they say are not necessary to pass U.S. or Canadian mattress flammability standards. According to the researchers, these flame retardants “also have no proven fire-safety benefit as used in mattresses.” How to Keep Children's Bedrooms SafeThe researchers are now urging manufacturers to conduct careful testing and cease the implementation of harmful SVOCs in mattresses. They say that there should be stronger restrictions in place for plasticizers and flame retardants, especially in Canada — where the mattresses measured in the studies were purchased — and the rest of North America.“This is a wake-up call for manufacturers and policymakers to ensure our children’s beds are safe and support healthy brain development,” said senior author Miriam Diamond, an environmental chemist at the University of Toronto, in a press release. Concerned parents can manage their children's exposure to the chemicals in a number of ways. The researchers suggest reducing the amount of bedroom materials that may harbor SVOCs, including pillows, blankets, and toys. Washing beds and covers can also provide a protective barrier to reduce exposure. The choice of color in bedding also affects exposure, as some fabrics contain UV filters and other additives to maintain a strong color. Undyed or neutral color fabrics, therefore, make for the safest option.This article is not offering medical advice and should be used for informational purposes only.Read More: Stress May Be Causing Early PubertyArticle SourcesOur writers at Discovermagazine.com use peer-reviewed studies and high-quality sources for our articles, and our editors review for scientific accuracy and editorial standards. Review the sources used below for this article:Environmental Science & Technology Letters. Young Children’s Exposure to Chemicals of Concern in Their Sleeping Environment: An In-Home StudyEnvironmental Science & Technology. Are Sleeping Children Exposed to Plasticizers, Flame Retardants, and UV-Filters from Their Mattresses? Jack Knudson is an assistant editor at Discover with a strong interest in environmental science and history. Before joining Discover in 2023, he studied journalism at the Scripps College of Communication at Ohio University and previously interned at Recycling Today magazine.

A rare kind of meteorite known as enstatite chondrite resembles Earth's composition roughly 4.5 billion years ago. Credit: Roberto Machado Noa / Getty Images Get the Popular Science daily newsletter💡 Water is at the center of one of the enduring questions about how life first formed on Earthr. More specifically, where did the very first water molecules form, and how? In 2020, researchers at France’s University of Lorraine announced evidence seen in a meteorite known as Sahara 97096 that supported an increasingly popular theory: Earth’s original water ingredients hid inside meteorites that collided with the planet billions of years ago. But a team at the University of Oxford is now countering that claim, and says proto-Earth had all the hydrogen it needed to kickstart life. Their conclusions were published on April 16 in the journal Icarus, and come after analyzing a similar meteorite recovered from Antarctica. The key to their counterargument resides in a rare type of space rock called enstatite chondrite. The meteorite’s composition is particularly significant to planetary scientists because it’s comparable to the planet as it was 4.55 billion years ago. While Sahara 97096 is an enstatite chondite, very few other specimens are known to exist on Earth. A specimen called LAR 12252 offers another example—and the University of Oxford’s team recently took the space rock for a field trip to the Diamond Light Source synchrotron in Harwell, Oxfordshire. The meteorite used in this study—LAR12252—when it was discovered in Antarctica in 2012. Credit: ANSMET (ANtarctic Search for METeorites) Program, Case Western Reserve University and the University of Utah There, they used the particle accelerator facility to perform an X-Ray Absorption Near Edge Structure (XANES) spectroscopy. XANES works by directing X-rays onto a sample whose atoms absorb the energy. Doing so allows certain chemicals to form depending on an object’s elemental makeup, as well as causes atoms to bond in distinctive ways. In this case, researchers were looking for compounds that included sulfur. The previous analysis of Sahara 97096 revealed traces of hydrogen in organic materials and non-crystalline sections of the meteorite. But at the time, it wasn’t clear if the remainder of Sahara 97096’s identifiable hydrogen was native to the rock, or if it came from external contamination on Earth. A thin section photo of sample LAR 12252 in plane-polarized light with 5x magnification. Credit: NASA Scientists at the University of Oxford theorized that using XANES spectroscopy may show hydrogen attached to LAR 12252’s large amounts of sulphur. The team first focused on the meteorite’s non-crystalline parts where hydrogen was previously found in Sahara 97096. During the experiment, however, they also accidentally analyzed neighboring sub-micrometer material. But it was this nearby section that contained hydrogen sulfide with five times more hydrogen than the non-crystalline parts. Conversely, sections of LAR 12252 with cracks and obvious contamination signs like rust showed very little or zero hydrogen. Because of this, the team believes it is extremely unlikely that LAR 12252’s hydrogen sulfide originated on Earth. While this may at first sound like it supports the theory that meteorites carried the hydrogen needed for water to Earth, the study’s authors argue the opposite. Remember how enstatite chondrite is basically identical to proto-Earth’s geological composition? The analysis of LAR 12252’s native amounts of hydrogen sulfide could imply that our planet had all the hydrogen it needed to form the very first water molecules that eventually allowed for life to begin. Lab photo of sample LAR 12252. Credit: NASA “We were incredibly excited when the analysis told us the sample contained hydrogen sulphide—just not where we expected,” study lead Tom Barrett said in a statement. “Because the likelihood of this hydrogen sulphide originating from terrestrial contamination is very low, this research provides vital evidence to support the theory that water on Earth is native—that it is a natural outcome of what our planet is made of.” According to study co-author James Bryson, the results make a strong case for Earth providing its own resources for the development of life. “We now think that the material that built our planet… was far richer in hydrogen than we thought previously,” he added. “This finding supports the idea that the formation of water on Earth was a natural process, rather than a fluke of hydrated asteroids bombarding our planet after it formed.” All that said, the findings can’t confirm the terrestrial life theory beyond a doubt. There’s still a chance hydrogen-heavy meteorites helped us along. Still, the new evidence makes a strong case that ancient Earth had the ability to form water all on its own—no space rocks needed.

Nature, Published online: 15 April 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-01126-8An analysis for Nature reveals the studies that appear most in the reference lists of current publications.