14 DAY TRIAL // 
Few first-person shooter franchises are as famous as Wolfenstein, which impressed millions of gamers, especially once id Software delivered the fantastic Wolfenstein 3D and followed with Return to Castle Wolfenstein or Enemy Territory, the multiplayer-only experience.
However, in recent years things haven't gone so well, as the Raven Software-made Wolfenstein reboot wasn't exactly all that great. As such, id Software owner Bethesda has tasked MachineGames with developing Wolfenstein: The New Order, a bold reimagining of the series that takes place in an alternate history in which Nazis won World War 2.
Starring classic protagonist BJ Blazkowicz, a wide range of guns, and plenty of sci-fi elements like robots and brutish cyborgs, the game certainly looks like a novel iteration in the popular franchise.
Does The New Order manage to bring the series back to its successful roots or should id Software take it back? Let's find out.
Story
Wolfenstein: The New Order has a bold premise but actually starts in the 1940s, in a prologue section that's practically reminiscent of all classic World War 2 shooters. After the action unfolds, there's a flash forward into a future in which the Nazis conquered the world and kicked off a huge series of atrocities towards those of impure origins, but also scientific advancements in terms of robotics and war machines.
Players once again control BJ Blazkowicz, who, after spending time in an asylum, picks up his weapons and starts fighting the Nazis like in the glory days. This time around, BJ is a more fleshed out character and, in some cases, he even makes the protagonist likeable. In other situations, however, his internal thoughts and debates, all said in a quiet murmur, clash with his violent rampages through the Nazi army.
However, besides BJ, the game's story is pretty good, managing to feature plenty of interesting allies for the hero but also lots of great villains, like the menacing Doctor Deathshead. The campaign also takes players through a variety of awesome locations, including some impressive ones that I won't spoil right here.
There's a pretty key decision right in the opening portions but its impact on the actual story and missions isn't that big, so players shouldn't worry about going on a wrong path.
Gameplay
Wolfenstein: The New Order is a pretty pure first-person shooter with throwbacks to the golden age of the genre, thanks to an agile movement system, the possibility to dual-wield guns, as well as an unlimited inventory, meaning BJ can store all the weapons he finds in his never-ending pockets.
The actual shooting mechanics are quite good, as guns feel powerful against most opponents. There are some standard rifles and Sub-Machine Guns, but also a few futuristic weapons that highlight the advancements brought on by the Nazi scientists in terms of warfare. What's more, throughout the campaign you can find different attachments and upgrades that expand on weapons, such as the laser cutter that becomes a really powerful gun. Last but not least, you can dual wield almost any gun, which makes the whole experience that much more old-school.
Besides the actual shooting mechanics, Wolfenstein: The New Order also features quite a solid stealth system, as BJ can sneak around the levels in order to avoid detection. There's also an extra incentive, as most areas have a high-ranking officer who calls in reinforcements when things get loud. If you take him (or them) down before then, you can escape the full power of the Nazis and uncover secrets, Enigma codes, and other collectibles.
However, even if the stealth system is pretty fun, a better way of signaling enemies and showing whether they've spotted BJ or not is sorely lacking. As such, while you might want to sneak around in some areas, you'll often be spotted by one enemy from far away, blowing your cover and unleashing all hell against you.
Enemies, however, aren't that varied and their AI isn't exactly the sharpest, often overlooking the dead bodies of their comrades and just continuing their patrol route. As such, those looking for a bigger challenge should up the difficulty through the classic levels like Bring'em On, I am death incarnate, or Uber.
In old-school shooter style, BJ's health doesn't regenerate completely, only up to the nearest multiple of 10. You can pick up all sorts of health kits on the ground to get it to 100 and even overcharge it on top. You can also pick up armor by scavenging helmets and other metal pieces on the ground. Ammo is collected in the same way, which is rather annoying, as an automated system would've been better in this case.
Level design is quite good and the game doesn't constantly throw up waypoints or markers to guide you. Instead, you're allowed to venture off the beaten path to uncover secrets and other things, so don't be afraid to explore. Special props go to the Resistance base, which acts as a sort of hub that BJ can freely explore while on different errands. What's more, as a special treat, if you sleep on the mattress on top of the base, you can go through the original Wolfenstein 3D, albeit with enhanced visuals.
Visuals and Sound
In terms of graphics, Wolfenstein: The New Order looks rather nice, managing to intersperse enough colors into the dull grey and brown hues to make the experience a bit livelier. The animations are quite good, although some textures do pop into view from time to time. The character models are top-notch, even if the depth of field effect is a bit strong sometimes. In some cases there is a bit of aliasing going on, but it's not a deal breaker.
The soundtrack is good, managing to deliver a 1950s and 1960s style in terms of songs and a very solid performance in terms of voice acting, from BJ to Deathshead and the other characters. Some enemy banter does get a bit repetitive, especially when players get detected during their stealth encounters.
The Good
- Great old-school shooter mechanics
- Pretty good stealth system
- Impressive weapons and gadgets
- Great locations
The Bad
- Stealth needs a few improvements
- AI might have some erratic behavior
- BJ's internal monologue and his behavior don't always work
Conclusion
