If you’re an
old-school gamer like me who remembers the old PC game of a cool GI named BJ
Blazkowicz as he took on Nazis and a mechanized Adolph Hitler in a creepy
castle, you will know that the Wolfenstein series hasn’t lost its funky
sci-fi feel. While it’s strange to see a WWII-themed shooter with supernatural
monsters and SS officers with ray guns, it certainly beats storming the beaches
of Normandy all over again. This is what we love about Wolfenstein and
why Return to Castle Wolfenstein: Tides of War was so cool I couldn’t
stop playing it on the original Xbox long after I finished the single-player
campaign.
So it’s no
wonder I can’t put my PlayStation 3 SIXAXIS controller down as BJ Blazkowicz
makes his return in Wolfenstein. Set after the events of Tides of War and
having survived his mission in a castle that the center of paranormal activity,
BJ is called into an Allied briefing room in England with the Thule Medallion …
an ancient relic that – during one mission – stopped Nazi bullets with the wave
of his hand. It is in the briefing the BJ comes to understand that Hitler’s
fascination with the paranormal has the Fuhrer looking into his own backyard – a
small town called Isenstadt in Germany.
Right away
you’ll notice that this isn’t a linear on-rails first-person shooter where you
follow the story from mission to mission. The minute you open up your journal to
look at the map of Isenstadt, you will realize that you are free to roam the
quiet streets to shop at a Black Market dealer, explore streets and sewers for
collectible items and accept missions from members of a resistance group ready
to kick Hitler’s SS troops out of their town.
While you
have to accept the main mission to move the story forward, there are Mission
Givers scattered throughout the map that will offer side missions related to the
resistance movement. You will meet Caroline Becker, leader of the resistance,
who will offer missions that will lead you into the heat of battle as BJ
discovers the truth behind the Third Reich’s search for the power of the Thule.
As in Tides of War, the SS has already discovered a few dark secrets and uses it
to their advantage such as Scribes that toss blue flames at you as well as warp
out of the way of gunfire. Then there’s the strange technology the SS has
brought along with them but I will get to that in a minute.
The main
campaign missions will take you through numerous situations that not only aid
the resistance movement but also have you discovering the supernatural element
behind the Thule as well as the medallion you carry. Your mission will take you
through various locales in town as well as outside town such as a local mine.
You’ll be shooting your way in town as well as the German soldiers attempt to
draw you out and many of them using tech such as anti-gravity canisters that,
when tossed right, will lift everything within its blast radius. You’ll be
watching Nazis flailing their arms about and ripe for the shooting.
Speaking of
new technology, you won’t only be using the standard WWII weapons you’re
probably already familiar with but you will also fire sci-fi weapons such as the
powerful Tesla Gun and the disintegrating power of the Particle Cannon. You can
also upgrade your weapons in the Black Markets with the gold you find scattered
throughout the game. You can add silencers to your machine guns, add a sniper
scope to your rifle or even upgrade your explosives.
The real
treat comes in using the Veil Powers the Thule Medallion grants BJ. You start
off with Veil Sight (which allows you to see the parallel world and find secret
portals you can walk through); then there’s Mire (that allows you to slow time
down and, with an upgrade, stop time altogether for a few seconds). The best
powers come later in the game such as Shield (stops bullets and, later, destroys
anything within the shield radius) and Empower (when activated, your bullets can
go through anything).
As far as
the single-player campaign is concerned, Wolfenstein mixes up the typical
WWII-Nazi-slaying missions with some supernaturally-charged missions where you
go up against some freaky enemies. Add the special powers as well as the
cool-yet-campy sci-fi weapons and you have a game that tries to do something
different and succeeds. Sure, you’ll wish there was more to do in Isenstadt and
we would have loved even more side missions but – overall – the single-player
portion is definitely an enjoyable experience.
Wolfenstein
thankfully follows Tides of War’s online multiplayer style with the
return of classes that allows you to take the role of a Soldier, Medic or an
Engineer. Up to 12 players can go up against each another or team up (as Nazis
or the resistance) for Team Death Match, Stopwatch or Objective in the various
playable maps. What makes the multiplayer action even more interesting is the
fact that you can use Veil Powers during matches as well as purchase upgrades
for you character’s class to give them an even more powerful boost during
matches. Trust me when I say that PS3 gamers will be playing online for quite a
long while with this one.
Visually,
Wolfenstein may disappoint those expecting a gorgeous-looking PlayStation 3
game of the Resistance 2 variety. Then again, the game does manage to
display some beautiful visual effects, great character models and appropriately
flashy visual effects. There’s some gore and body parts do fly in this game but
then immediately disappear. Some of the weapons and Veil Powers will not fail to
light up your screen perfectly, though.
The game’s
sound is also handled well, with a beautifully cinematic score that definitely
would have felt at home in a movie version of Wolfenstein. Even the voice acting
is done well in this game, with the best work going to Blazkowicz. The best part
about the sound is the sound effects that are wonderfully detailed if you happen
to be playing the game with a good sound system hooked up.
In the end,
Wolfenstein for the PlayStation 3 will keep you glued to your seat as you
take on the Third Reich once again in a first-person shooter with a lot to offer
fans. It tries to do something different and, as a result, makes for a far more
interesting shooter that doesn’t force you to tackle the story in a linear
fashion. In other words, different works and you will find yourself glad BJ is
back in action again. Pick this one up, soldier, you will not be disappointed.
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Gameplay: 8.5
The mission
structure is handled interestingly enough with an eye towards tackling side
missions and free-roaming exploration of a nearly empty town. Some mission
campaigns are more intense than others and the new weapons like the Particle
Cannon and Veil Powers that have you slowing time down or throwing up a shield
mix the action up nicely.
Graphics: 8.5
Graphically
speaking, Wolfenstein looks really good on the PS3 and sports some sharp
character models and eye-catching visual effects when the Veil Powers are used
or whenever an anti-gravity canister explodes. Then again, there are some
backgrounds that look rather plain but, overall, this isn’t a bad-looking game
at all.
Sound:
9.0
The voice acting
is top-notch and the sound effects are incredibly detailed to the point that
you’ll know where the gunfire is coming from as well as hear the SS officer’s
boots when he’s heading your way. The original score is also good enough to come
straight out of a WWII action movie.
Difficulty: Medium
You might not
have a hard time filling Nazi officers full of hot lead but the Scribes and some
of the enemies packing the more sci-fi weaponry will give you quite a workout.
You’ll be glad you’ll have the Thule Medallion’s Veil Powers on your side later
in the game.
Concept: 8.5
Isenstadt is a
dangerous place you are free to explore but aside from the Black Markets and the
random resistance fighter that offers a side mission, there’s not a lot to
really do in town. Then again, it’s the single-player action-packed missions
that will keep you busy. There’s also online multiplayer that will be the reason
you will continue to play this game long after you finish the solo campaign.
Multiplayer: 9.0
Just like in
Tides of War, roles are back and play a big part in the success of your team
in game types like Team Deathmatch. There are maps aplenty, all of which adds
something different to each game type and you can purchase upgrades and use Veil
Powers as well. In short, this is one hell of a multiplayer ride and I
definitely see gamers playing this one for a long time to come.
Overall: 8.5
Wolfenstein
shoots for something different and manages to hit the target well enough to do
the series and the genre justice. While some missions are by the number, you
will find yourself enjoying the action and supernatural twist that will keep you
playing to the very end and well into the night thanks to the online
multiplayer. This is definitely a Must Have for any FPS fan.
