Dumb, Derivative, and Deductible - And You Know What? That's Just Fine.
In 1992, the FPS genre was forever changed with the addition of Wolfenstein 3D. It is widely regarded among the most important and significant video games in history. Following the success of Wolfenstein 3D, the genre coalesced, and gradually developed into the alarmingly standard presented in 2014's Wolfenstein: The New Order. However, that is by all means not a bad thing. There have been new incarnations of the Wolfenstein franchise popping up every few years, and all of them have failed to invent the wheel like the 1992 classic had. Wolfenstein: The New Order is just as guilty as its predecessors in that light, but this year's game gives us a twist: it knows exactly what it is.
Wolfenstein: The New Order does not take itself seriously. From the hilariously over-dramatized inner-monologues to the segment where you're going guns-blazing into a concentration camp, blowing up Nazi robot dogs. Perhaps the draw to this narrative is the sheer fact that the game never breaks character. Sure, there some genuinely tense moments that I can only applaud; but they're accompanied by more Nazi robots. There are also various moments where the game shines pure heart, but then it's interrupted with even more giant Nazi robots. There was no single point in the story where the fourth wall was broken, or even where it jumped the shark (perhaps surprisingly). They had an idea, and they ran with it until the end. Whether you support this campy-esque story breakdown is irrelevant; their sheer effort should be lauded.
Story notes aside, Wolfenstein: The New Order is a first-person shooter; a competent one at that. Is it anything more than competent? Absolutely not. Is it fun? Absolutely. In a world where you can dual-wield the heaviest weapons in your inventory, and simultaneously shoot Nazis while on the moon; "fun" is probably the word I would use. However, I strongly recommend that you play this game on the lower difficulties, as suggested by Dan Ryckert himself. This game encourages going full-frontal assault with Nazis. This is not a game meant for challenge. That said, there were a few portions where I did get briefly frustrated, but those moments were far and between. As stated earlier, this is a game all about just having a good time; not for an engrossing experience.
Wolfenstein 3D was a game with a simple concept: have fun shooting Nazis in the face. In a sense, Wolfenstein: The New Order keeps that spirit alive better than any other release in the series has. Wolfenstein: The New Order is not attempting to make its way into the history books; it's purposely throwing the history books aside and saying "Screw It!". Everything the game presents and does has been done in other games, usually better. However, in a sea of a genre possibly growing stale, Wolfenstein: The New Order shines more than game called Wolfenstein probably deserves. No one will remember this game with high regard in as little as five years time; they'll remember what an awesome week-end that was.
