When it comes to the FPS genre, 2017 is all about franchises returning to their roots.Call of Dutyisstepping back in time,Star Wars Battlefronthas single-player content again, andWolfenstein 2: The New Colossusgoes the whole hog with a playable version of Wolfenstein 3D.
However, this isn’t the exact same experience you might remember from 1992. The classic FPS has been reimagined for its inclusion inThe New Colossus– this time around, you’re not fighting off the Nazis, you’re fighting alongside them.
The game can be found as an arcade unit in a makeshift base set up by B.J. Blazkowicz and hisfellow resistance fighters. It’s packed with things to pass the time, like a copious supply of alcohol.
Wolfstone 3Dswaps the enemies fromWolfenstein 3Dfor pixelated Kreisau “terrorists” and replaces the portraits of Adolf Hitler from the original game with posters of Blazkowicz. It’s clear that quite a lot of work has gone into what basically amounts to an easter egg.
Wolfenstein: The New Orderoffered up a similarly nostalgic experience in the form of hidden nightmare levels that would challenge the player with navigating mazes inspired by the visuals of the original game. By contrast,Wolfstone 3Dis a miniature campaign in its own right, spanning six levels – it even has a save system so you’re able to make your way through at your own pace.
The rebooted Wolfenstein games strike a great balance between the classic FPS titles of yesteryear and modern mechanics. This kind of content is sure to please longtime fans, and it’s a great way of fleshing out the sequel’salternate history setting.
As the genre becomes more and more concerned with multiplayer,The New Colossusstands out from the crowd with its unashamed focus on a single-player campaign. A fun bonus like this just makes the overall package more of a must-play.
Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossuslaunches for the PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One on July 25, 2025.
