Wolfenstein Review

Platform

PC version 1.1

Introduction

Ah yes, Wolfenstein, one of the best known first person shooter franchises, and the game that arguably popularized the genre itself. For many the first person view offered to them was the first time they had ever experienced such a thing, so it was revolutionary. I have fond memories playing the original game under DOS, blasting Nazis and checking every wall decoration for secret areas.

Fast-forward to 2001 with the second installment in the series: Return to Castle Wolfenstein. This epic game produced one of the finest single player campaigns I’ve ever experienced with its skillful blend of traditional WWII, sci-fi and supernatural elements. Also its arsenal of weapons was simply superb, and the level design was tight, atmospheric and varied. Additionally, multiplayer was highly innovative with its different classes and objective based maps.

Because of this I looked forward to the third installment in the series with great enthusiasm, the game simply entitled Wolfenstein.

Plot

Wolfenstein is the sequel to Return to Castle Wolfenstein and continues some time after our hero B.J. Blazkowicz successfully thwarted the Nazis’ efforts with the UberSoldat program and Operation Resurrection. The opening gambit sees our hero almost captured on the German battleship the Tirpitz, but he’s saved by a strange medallion that was in the coat of the captain’s pocket he donned to disguise himself. The medallion vaporizes his opponents, so he immediately heads to London to the OSA’s headquarters.

Upon arriving in London, he’s advised that the crystals in the medallion are only found in one place on Earth, the fictional German town of Isenstadt. With that he immediately heads off to investigate the mystery and thwart whatever new plans the Nazis are hatching.