Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus (Xbox One) Thoughts
I was fortunate to be able to buy Wolfenstein: The New Order for the Xbox One on sale earlier this year and not only play it to completion but play it while streaming (thus providing plenty of video proof of my lack of prowess in these games). I had heard a decent amount of positive buzz surrounding the first game but for whatever reason it was never enough to get me to give it a try. It took a big sale (with a price of about 10 bucks) for me to take the plunge and it was worth it (despite its flaws, which I will get into shortly). I was very happy to learn of this sequel and looked forward to its release the most of the big games this fall.
I had a few issues with the first game, to be perfectly honest. A couple of major issues stood out to me at the time and I very much had them in mind in my anticipation for this game. I died far too many time due to the clumsy weapons selection wheel in the first game. The game featured dual wielding versions of each weapon and both single and dual wielded were shown on the selection wheel as separate items, leading to a cramped wheel that made picking the right choice (especially in the heat of combat) very difficult. The new game removes the dual wielding from the wheel and places it as a toggle as on the up on the D-pad. In the first game, you had to push X to pick up everything. In this new game, you automatically pick up armor and ammo, but not health or collectable items.
Like in the new Order, Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus features a wide cast of characters to interact with both in game and in cutscenes. Most of the are well acted and many are quite memorable. As the game progresses you pick up more and more of them to add to your base camp. Like the first game, there are major moments that very much define this games story. The difference in this game is that it ratchets up the shock and gore and in some cases leaves you needing a moment to sort out what just happened and what it means. It is much more than one would expect from a game like this.
I found it very difficult to do well playing Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus, much like the first game. I played it at the default difficulty and died very frequently. My frustration and difficulty largely stemmed from the fact that I was playing the game wrong. I am used to playing at a more deliberate pace, planning my moves and taking it slowly. Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus, like the first game, demands that you stay on the move always firing (preferably dual wielding) and not stopping. This game may be a marathon but each battle is a race and the faster to move through them, the more success you will have (I found that dual wielded semi automatic assault rifles to be the best fir for me in this regard).
My play through of Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus (Xbox One)
Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus would likely be my game of the year were it not for Cuphead. The game is not perfect (no game is) but it succeeds at providing an engaging story full of interesting and memorable characters, set piece battles on on some unusual levels, and hard to comprehend at first but largely satisfying combat puzzle (at no point did I feel it was hopeless) and a high level of visual polish all in a single player only game. In this day and age that is a rare accomplishment and one that is worth celebrating.