Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus

Good evening! I have a lot of games on my shelf that haven't been played yet. That's what happens when a casual gamer is tired and busy. So, I'm starting to whittle away on them and my gaming experiences could make good blog topics. Recently, I played a first person shooter game called Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus. Some of you might remember the original Wolfenstein games on the PC many years ago. A reboot titled Wolfenstein: The New Order was released on the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 a while ago. Wolfenstein II continues the new continuity and it should make fans of the original franchise quite happy.

The New Colossus takes place in an alternate version of 1960s America. The Nazis were victorious during World War II and seized control of the United States. Several years later, a rebellious militia called the Kreisau Circle is recruiting members and trying to overthrow the Nazi regime. The main character is a hulking commando named B.J. Blazkowicz who wants to bring peace and equality back to the world. Ultimately, the fate of the free world rests in the hands of a small group who needs to bring down the world's most powerful dictatorship.

I'm starting with the game's stronger elements. The story is fantastic. It's one of the most well developed stories I've ever seen in a modern video game. The plot is deep, thought provoking, and clever. It addresses an uncomfortable subject in a powerful way. Sometimes the tone is very serious and other times it can be a bit humorous. The story is easy to follow, but it might be too disturbing for some people. I think Wolfenstein II would be a good film adaptation, but we know the history of video game movies.

This game has guns of glory! It has a huge variety of weapons with large quantities of ammunition. Periodically, you can upgrade weapons to create increased firepower, accuracy, and more. The player can also wield two guns at once, which is wickedly fun. Other weapons can be useful as well. Knives and axes can be used for stealth kills. In this game, you can mow down tons of Nazis with insanely high tech weapons. What more can you possibly want?

I also enjoy the setting. The environment is really cool and unsettling at the same time. It has a strong dystopian element with creative world building. Many areas were torn up by extended warfare and there are plenty of places to hide from enemies. The concept of a Nazi occupied USA is deeply disturbing, but it's interesting in a first person shooter game. 

Luckily, you can save game progress at any time. That's important because this game is really hard. The difficulty level is insane and I had the chance to creep along by saving the game frequently. It makes the grind a little easier. 

Now I'm going to discuss the most disappointing parts. Truthfully, this game is way too hard for me. All of the difficulty levels are hard, so it doesn't matter what the player chooses. Health and ammunition drains quickly, but the player can find them often. Stealth attacks are difficult to execute and I died continuously from the onslaught of enemy fire. It's a long, frustrating grind that becomes very repetitive. Upgrading weapons definitely helps, but the game also spawns enemies more frequently as the story progresses. This game seems to be geared for expert gamers who are comfortable with military style shooters. It's not the best introduction to the first person shooter genre. 

I also struggle with some of the game mechanics. The controls are less fluid than other first person shooters. For example, I had an easier time maneuvering through Fallout 4, BioShock, the Metro series, and the Borderlands games. Turning around isn't always easy and I got stuck in wall fixtures several times. If you get stuck, be prepared to get slaughtered. Unfortunately, Blazkowicz isn't particularly swift, even though he can run super fast. 

Honestly, some people won't like the subject. It's dark, violent, depressing, hyper political, and controversial. Some players might enjoy the gameplay, but they could have an issue with the subject depending on their personal views. I just want to make sure you're aware of it. 

The graphics aren't impressive either. Wolfenstein II has a cool environment, but it looks outdated and unfinished. Granted, Bethesda isn't known for having the best graphics. This part didn't ruin the game for me, but some people might be pickier. 

What's the verdict? I believe certain elements of the game are fantastic and it would be a great experience for seasoned players who enjoy challenging difficulty levels. The New Colossus isn't a great choice for novice players and people who don't play a lot of military style games. It's not the right type of game for players who get frustrated easily. 

Have you played Wolfenstein II yet? Tell me about your experience in the comment section. Watch out for more posts in regards to steampunk, movies, games, and pop culture. Good luck with your holiday shopping and have a good week.