Wolfenstein: The New Order revives the franchise four years after the last game with an impressive offering in the first person shooter genre that challenges players across an extensive storyline. Released in 2014 the game serves as the seventh main game in the broader franchise that explores a fresh twist on familiar themes of the franchise.
Set in an alternate timeline where the Nazis won World War II players will step into the shoes of William Blazkowicz and the role that he plays in stopping the Nazi’s rule over the world once and for all. This sees players assault a number of strongholds, securing advanced technology for your own usage and stealthily taking down your enemy from within.
Playing from a traditional first person shooter perspective players will navigate the world on foot as they progress through several game chapters that are influenced by a morality choice made during the game prologue. While a subtle decision that results in small changes to plot and characters it is enough to warrant at least a second playthrough for fans of the theme and franchise generally.
Not only will players be battling Nazi forces they will also have to contend with the advanced technology they have at their disposal from mechanical dogs to automatic machine guns and powerful war machines that tower above your own technology. This mixture of 1940’s weapons and advanced machinery makes for a very interesting setting that is enjoyable from start to end just like the past entries in the franchise.
Gameplay mechanics wise you’ll find that The New Order uses a combination of regenerative health and a health bar that blends traditional and modern FPS health mechanics together. Provided players don’t fall below certain levels of health they’ll be able to regenerate missing health while falling below certain levels will require health packs to recover instead and require players to play safe until then. This combination makes for a great flow to gameplay and really begs the question why more games aren’t using this approach as it feels much more natural compared to the purely regenerative systems that are becoming increasingly popular in the FPS genre.
In the weapon department players will find all the tools they need to get the job done and save the world. The New Order does a great job in particular of supporting different playstyles in between objectives from the silent killer that throws their trusty knife to the dual wielding soldier who charges forward into large group of enemies while utilising the cover system.
This choice is supported further through the perk system that lets you gain proficiencies in certain areas as you use them more. It’s a system that is well thought out and adds that little extra touch to gameplay that most straight FPS games lack during the campaign experience. Broadly split across stealth, tactical, assault and demolition these are the available playstyles for players to employ or utilise something in between.
Summary:
- Revives a much loved franchise with an interesting alternative timeline setting with dark tones.
- Combines health systems of new and old games to create a great sense of combat flow.
- Plenty of weapon variety that encourages exploration of different FPS playstyles.
- Gain perks as you play through the campaign with stealth, tactical, assault and demolition perks available.
- Lengthy and well written story keeps you engaged from start to end with some minor differences based on an opening decision.
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Review Platform: PC