The Best Good Fight, Part II: Wolfenstein II Review
- Ben Stembridge
- Oct 29, 2017
- 5 min read
I will try my best to retain objectivity and separateness during this review, but with that being said, Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus is one of the best first-person shooters I have ever played, and is without a doubt one of my personal favorites of 2017. This Nazi-killing extravaganza explores what it means to conflict with a type of monster that humanity not only created, but cultivated, and also explores what that monster would do when given the power to control the entire world. Sequel to the 2014 Wolfenstein: The New Order which revitalized the 30-year old series from Bethesda Game Studios, The New Colossus expands on its predecessor and soars in so many ways. Oh boy, oh boy, let’s goooooo already.
First off, it is now 1961 and the Nazi’s Third Reich, Germania now controls virtually the entire Earth. Equipped with an array of advanced weaponry, early robotics, and various super weapons (stolen from a secret but peaceful ancient society of Hebrew scholars), the Nazi war machine forced the United States and almost every other allied (or otherwise) nation into brutal submission by the late 1940s. While Wolfenstein: The New Order primarily takes place across Europe, The New Colossus brings the fight to the former United States of America.
Players step into the massive, ass-kicking boots of Captain William J. “BJ” Blazkowicz. Former US Army Ranger and specialist, BJ was in a coma for 14 years after a deadly mission in the mid-1940s. In the meantime, Germany spread to every corner of the world. Since waking during The New Order he has united with friends in the resistance and waged a guerilla war against the Nazi Regime, killing the sadistic General Deathshead at the closing of the game. The New Colossus opens once again with BJ waking from comatose, this time due to injuries sustained during his final battle with Deathshead. While that victory removed Germany’s best and most twisted technological mind and asset, it didn’t exactly do the trick - Nazis still rule the world. Better get to work.
Wolfenstein is a first-person shooter that utilizes a combat system that is one of the most user-friendly in modern gaming. A cover system allows players to lean in any direction from a fixed position, giving them complete control of their ability to fire from behind walls and other cover. Shooting down the sites or from the hip allow players different fire fighting styles, all of which are pure and visceral thrills. BJ, with his herculean build, is also pretty great at close quarters combat. Having upgraded from his combat knife to a damn hatchet, BJ is unstoppable up close. Enemies are well-armored, but you can get up close and dispatch any Nazi scum with disgusting effectiveness. For example, after softening a heavy trooper with my machine gun, I approached him only to have him kick at me - I grabbed his leg, cut it off with the hatchet, then sent him reeling forward. Done and done.
Stealth was and still is a big part of Wolfenstein. However, enemies are slightly more difficult to defeat with stealth this time around. Whereas in The New Order you could simply stay in cover, wait for the aiming reticle to turn red, then kill a troop, you simply have no guarantee about that anymore. While this provides a challenge, stealth is still very achievable. It may take more than a single shot from a silenced pistol to take out a Nazi but the aforementioned hatchet does wonderfully when thrown.
Weapons in this game are not in short supply and they are bombastically fun to use. While in the previous game they were “what you see is what you get,” in this game they are customizable. I was comforted to see that MachineGames did not overdo any changes to the weapons system - any weapon has three modifications available, all of which make significant differences. The machine pistol can have an embedded silencer, while the automatic rifle can equip armor piercing rounds, excellent for fighting super soldiers or pesky Nazi robots. Wrapping up this discussion on gameplay, The New Colossus is a thrilling play-through. Quickly running and jumping from cover while blasting Nazis away with an array of cool weapons always makes for a fun afternoon.
Narratively, Wolfenstein employs a number of themes and thematic elements that make it much more than an average action-shooter. The duality of man, questions of morality and the presence of a natural evil, submission or lack thereof under a singular regime, and many other ideas are all explored throughout the game’s story. Throw in some fantastic cutscenes, stellar performances by all, and even a few laughs, and you have one of the best stories of 2017. BJ is accompanied by a plethora of unique, enjoyable, and memorable characters, some of whom diversify the group and the group’s goals and insights. For example, Grace is a leader of a New York-based African-American resistant groups. The Nazis, because they’re Nazis, reinstalled slavery in the “Liberated American Colonies.” Her group’s own personal experiences provide BJ’s resistance with a number of new and eye-opening perspectives.
The violent gameplay and highly palpable narrative both channel and highlight a rage that exists as an almost natural chemical reaction to the presence of intolerance, systematic murder, and oppression. Basically, Bethesda decided to double down on their “controversial” position that claims Nazis are bad. They are bad. BJ knows this and goes to work on them. The previous game took us insides a concentration camp - albeit a fictional one, it was a narrative gaming experience like none other. This game covers an evil a bit more nuanced. While in Roswell, New Mexico I explored an active post-War “American” main street. Under the guidance of the New American Order, the Ku Klux Klan had gained legitimacy and institutional approval in America. During one mission in NY, I found a commuter’s diary that dated back to 1948, right before the end of the war. The commuter in question comments daily on people speaking languages other than English on the train, people he called “not real Americans.” The truth of the matter is that the US embraced their new oppressors, who strategically took advantage of the underlying racism, jingoism, and intolerance and used it to sow seeds of unrest, making conquering the country easy.
Blaskowitz is an amazing protagonist, surrounded by amazing supporting characters. There is a neat narrative feature that the game uses, that consists of BJ narrating some of his actions. He speaks under his breath, almost as if whispering to the player. It’s less of a plot point, and more of a style, but I really found it amazing. Anyone can find this Nazi-killin’ son of a gun to be a joyous character to play, and the game provides a much deeper look into his personal life. His battle with the wretched General Engel will prove a tantalizing and highly emotional fight for nearly every kind of player.
To conclude, Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus takes us on a phenomenal journey of liberation and discovery across a wretched hive of scum and villainy. As an American, it was poignant to see places of great importance turned in Nazi icons, and mutated into symbols of hate and oppression. While killing Nazis is always a pleasure, this time it felt more personal and with higher, more tangible stakes. You need to ignite the revolution in America. While some stood by while their neighbors were murdered and subjugated, others are ready to fight with you. Find your friends, grow your arsenal, and kill all the Nazis. This fantastic game gets a big ol’ stamp of “kick-ass” as well as high commendations for its in-depth and multifaceted story.
Ben Stembridge, Editor-in-Chief
Ben leads the reviews and news coverage for Game Chop. He also offers opinions on games and the industry, covering a wide range of genres and platforms. Ben especially enjoys discussions on game narratives, design styles, and independent titles.
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