Wolfenstein

Wolfenstein is a game franchise that’s been around for decades now, and it’s still going strong. It’s one of the most iconic first-person shooter (FPS) games of all time and has played a substantial role in shaping the FPS genre.

The Wolfenstein franchise began in 1981 with Muse Software’s Castle Wolfenstein for the Apple II. It was a 2D game where the player had to escape from a Nazi castle while avoiding guards and collecting treasure. The game’s success led to a sequel, Beyond Castle Wolfenstein, released in 1984.

Castle Wolfenstein was remade in 1992 as Wolfenstein 3D by id Software. It was the first FPS game that popularized the genre and set the standards for future games in the genre. Players took on the role of American spy William “B.J.” Blazkowicz, who was trapped in a Nazi Castle and had to fight his way out.

Wolfenstein 3D was a groundbreaking game for its time. It implemented smooth controls, straight-line maps, a compelling storyline, and a feature that allowed players to fight robotic dogs, mutant soldiers, and other enemies. The game’s violence and gore factor were controversial, but it only added to the game’s popularity.

In 2001, Return to Castle Wolfenstein was released, which was a reboot of the original game. The game followed B.J. Blazkowicz, who was sent to investigate Nazi supernatural activities during WWII. The game’s storyline was excellent, and the game was overall an impressive upgrade over the original game. It also offered a multiplayer mode and modding support.

Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory, a multiplayer-focused FPS, followed in 2003, and it was a hit among gamers. It used the same engine as Return to Castle Wolfenstein and featured objective-based gameplay, multiple classes, and a leveling system.

Wolfenstein once again returned in 2009 with a new reboot game for Xbox 360, PS3, and PC. It was a futuristic take on the franchise and introduced new gameplay mechanics like supernatural powers, and RPG elements, such as leveling and upgrading. The game met with mixed reviews, but it was still an enjoyable game.

In 2014, Wolfenstein: The New Order released, which was a sequel to the 2009 game. It was set in an alternate history where Nazis won WWII and took over America. The game received critical acclaim for its narrative, gameplay, and attention to detail. The game’s success led to a standalone prequel, Wolfenstein: The Old Blood, released in 2015.

Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus was released in 2017 and continued the story of The New Order. The game was set in 1961, where a crippled and emotionally shattered B.J. Blazkowicz leads a revolution against the Nazis in America. The game was praised by critics and gamers alike for its storytelling, gameplay, and characters.

The latest game in the franchise is Wolfenstein: Youngblood, released in 2019. It’s set in the 1980s and features B.J. Blazkowicz’s twin daughters as protagonists. The game has RPG elements, cooperative gameplay, and a mission structure that’s different from the previous games in the franchise.

In conclusion, Wolfenstein is a franchise that has had a significant impact on the FPS genre. It has revolutionized the genre with each new game release and has set the standards for other FPS games. With more than four decades of existence, the Wolfenstein franchise has established itself as one of the most iconic FPS franchises of all time, and it’s still going strong.