Derrick
ლ(ಠ_ಠ )ლ
- Joined
- Nov 22, 2010
- Messages
- 5,085
- Reaction score
- 5
Nazis... I hate these guys...
The long-awaited return of B.J. Blazkowicz starts during World War II with the sternfaced hero aboard a Nazi aircraft carrier somewhere in the ocean. It’s only a cut-scene, but it sets the stage for the latest game in the long-running Wolfenstein series perfectly. The short version reads like this: after kicking Nazi ass, blowing some stuff up and utilising a mysterious medallion to shield himself from the onslaught of thousands of death-dealing bullets, B.J. ‘liberates’ an aircraft and flies off to the Nazi-occupied town of Isenstadt. What follows is a perfectly executed warping of the words “historical accuracy,” filled with obscene amounts of action, Nazis (both alive and otherwise) and FPS mayhem.
After arriving in Isenstadt, B.J. works with various factions (the Golden Dawn, the Kreisau Circle and members of Isenstadt’s Black Market) to put an end to the dastardly deeds of the Nazi oppressors. However, don’t expect a standard WWII shooter with this game. The story is of the usual occult-themed variety, with the Nazis attempting to harness the power of the Black Sun dimension (an alternate dimension filled with creepy critters and the like) to create weaponry that would doubtlessly ensure victory for the Nazis and their allies.
Early on in the game, B.J. gains access to a Thule medallion, which grants him the opportunity to enter the Veil. The Veil is essentially what separates our dimension from the Black Sun dimension, and when B.J. enters it, he gains access to some very cool powers. As you progress through the game, you’ll collect crystals that can be absorbed by the Thule medallion to grant you new powers, of which there are four in total.
The standard Veil power makes B.J. move slightly faster and allows him to see hidden areas and other secrets. Mire lets B.J. slow down time, allowing him to dodge bullets and move faster than his enemies. Shield does exactly what the name suggests, while Empower infuses B.J.’s weapons with Veil energy, allowing them to pass through enemy shields and inflict more damage. These powers add a unique twist to the otherwise standard FPS gameplay, and they can be upgraded as you progress through the game.
You see, Wolfenstein’s numerous levels and the main town of Isenstadt (around which you can roam freely when not busy with a mission) are filled with secrets and collectables in the form of gold, Intel and Power Tomes. Gold is used to purchase weapon and Veil upgrades from Black Market vendors around Isenstadt. Unlocking these upgrades requires that you collect Intel (for weapon upgrades) and Power Tomes (for Veil upgrades). It’s a cool system that’ll likely have you thoroughly searching high and low for collectables during your time with the game.
The story, gameplay and old-school feel of the game make for a truly entertaining title that fans of the series are sure to enjoy. The only problem I had with the game is its disappointing multiplayer component, which just can’t match the quality of the game’s single-player campaign. If you’re planning to get Wolfenstein, try not to sully the experience by engaging in its lacklustre multiplayer - unless you absolutely have to.
The long-awaited return of B.J. Blazkowicz starts during World War II with the sternfaced hero aboard a Nazi aircraft carrier somewhere in the ocean. It’s only a cut-scene, but it sets the stage for the latest game in the long-running Wolfenstein series perfectly. The short version reads like this: after kicking Nazi ass, blowing some stuff up and utilising a mysterious medallion to shield himself from the onslaught of thousands of death-dealing bullets, B.J. ‘liberates’ an aircraft and flies off to the Nazi-occupied town of Isenstadt. What follows is a perfectly executed warping of the words “historical accuracy,” filled with obscene amounts of action, Nazis (both alive and otherwise) and FPS mayhem.
After arriving in Isenstadt, B.J. works with various factions (the Golden Dawn, the Kreisau Circle and members of Isenstadt’s Black Market) to put an end to the dastardly deeds of the Nazi oppressors. However, don’t expect a standard WWII shooter with this game. The story is of the usual occult-themed variety, with the Nazis attempting to harness the power of the Black Sun dimension (an alternate dimension filled with creepy critters and the like) to create weaponry that would doubtlessly ensure victory for the Nazis and their allies.
Early on in the game, B.J. gains access to a Thule medallion, which grants him the opportunity to enter the Veil. The Veil is essentially what separates our dimension from the Black Sun dimension, and when B.J. enters it, he gains access to some very cool powers. As you progress through the game, you’ll collect crystals that can be absorbed by the Thule medallion to grant you new powers, of which there are four in total.
The standard Veil power makes B.J. move slightly faster and allows him to see hidden areas and other secrets. Mire lets B.J. slow down time, allowing him to dodge bullets and move faster than his enemies. Shield does exactly what the name suggests, while Empower infuses B.J.’s weapons with Veil energy, allowing them to pass through enemy shields and inflict more damage. These powers add a unique twist to the otherwise standard FPS gameplay, and they can be upgraded as you progress through the game.
You see, Wolfenstein’s numerous levels and the main town of Isenstadt (around which you can roam freely when not busy with a mission) are filled with secrets and collectables in the form of gold, Intel and Power Tomes. Gold is used to purchase weapon and Veil upgrades from Black Market vendors around Isenstadt. Unlocking these upgrades requires that you collect Intel (for weapon upgrades) and Power Tomes (for Veil upgrades). It’s a cool system that’ll likely have you thoroughly searching high and low for collectables during your time with the game.
The story, gameplay and old-school feel of the game make for a truly entertaining title that fans of the series are sure to enjoy. The only problem I had with the game is its disappointing multiplayer component, which just can’t match the quality of the game’s single-player campaign. If you’re planning to get Wolfenstein, try not to sully the experience by engaging in its lacklustre multiplayer - unless you absolutely have to.