Wolfenstein - A Binge Gamer Review
Review: Wolfenstein
When I started to review Wolfenstein, I was actually a little excited. Being a non- PC gamer, not having a SNES until after the system had pretty much finished off, and also not getting an Xbox until just about that console was done, I seemed to have avoided playing any Wolfenstein game until now.
We all know that Wolfenstein 3D is the forefather of first person shooters, above Quake, above Doom, etc. Well, I think unlike Doom and Quake’s attempts to stay current with their last efforts, Wolfenstein really surprised me by being not only up to par with what current FPS games are offered, but is quite better than most.
The background to this title is Nazi’s are bad, kill them. The story to the game pretty much follows you, a special agent, finding some Nazi dark force experimental stuff. It was weird, but I find the game reminded me of Indiana Jones, especially with the design of some levels, mixed with X-Files. I also want to note that the cut scenes were really well done to help bring out a storyline that isn’t going to win awards, but is good enough.
Most games just really have you get from point ‘A’ to point ‘B’, and Wolfenstein does this in a way where you feel more like you are exploring, they handle the linearity quite well. One qualm I had is the amount of times loading screens appear, I don’t want to make it seem too extreme, but there are parts in the game where you might be traveling back and forth to close by areas which requires a re-loading of an area, so it sort of takes you out of the game for a few seconds.
There are checkpoints at a perfect amount of places in the game, and even playing on ‘normal’ I was using them at a few certain points in the game. The AI isn’t the most intelligent, but again, there were times I died, so I guess they are doing a fair enough job.
The game starts with use of regular weapons from the WWII period, then you start getting into the occult “Powers of the Veil”, and finally there is also futuristic/experimental type weapons. Because of the use of powers on top of regular guns, the game reminded me The Darkness mixed with a Time Splitters take on WWII. In between fighting off Nazi’s and ghosts you will find gold and “Intelligence” (Intel/memos) which will help you purchase items/upgrade. That about sums the game up.
The finding of gold and memos is great for lootwhores, and completely unnecessary to go through if you are just wanting to beat through the main storyline. Options are good. Same goes for the weapons and powers, use what you want for the most part. Once you start upgrading enough and really master your powers, you feel like a bad ass super being tearing through Nazis. The game also retains a classic FPS feel down to seeing a red barrel among random crates and you just know, when you take out your hand gun and shoot at that barrel, it will have a nice explosion (and it does).
Multiplayer
Multiplayer is a beast of it’s own. Much like Call of Duty 4 was able to make a solid fun single player and providing a multiplayer that everyone wants to go back to, so does Wolfenstein. Taking the idea of gaining experience and upgrading, you instead get cash for what you do in the game. Upgrades vary carry more ammo, faster reload, run faster, etc.
One nice thing about getting cash in the game, it happens instantly if you do something well and if you happen to be the only person performing well on your team, you’ll be rewarded with all the cash for all the things you do even if your team loses. There is a small class system, Engineer, Medic, and Soldier. All can be upgraded however you please, so if you want to focus on the Soldier, you can do so, or spread your cash on all three.
Level designs are tight, though there is only eight levels. Weapon choice is decent, I’m not a fan of WWII era weapons, but there is enough weapons that feel very modern (ie not a huge recoil that those old type guns have). Powers are not as focused in mutiplayer, so don’t expect this to feel like Shadowrun.
Modes are Death match, Objective, and Stopwatch. Death Match is obvious, Objectives are different based on the level, but basically are ‘go from Point A and bring it back to point B’ or similar things. The Stopwatch mode is doing objectives faster than the other team. With objectives being slightly different depending on level, it does keep things interesting enough, which is necessary because of the lack of a lot of muliplayer levels.
Final Thoughts
In the end Wolfenstein is a bad ass first person shooter in both single and multiplayer. It doesn’t bring a lot to the table as far as innovation to the FPS genre, but it makes it up for it by doing everything else perfect. The look/design of the game is great, graphics are fine, guns and powers are fun, and the multiplayer is actually worth playing.
Though we have games like Modern Warfare 2 and Halo 3: ODST on the horizon, going against what is currently out there, CoD World at War, Halo 3, Call of Duty 4, Left 4 Dead, and even all those XBLA FPS that are popping out, Wolfenstein not only keeps up with them but is better than most. Don’t look over this game, through in your GameFly queue, head to blockbuster, if you are into this genre, play this game.
