Wolfenstein 3D

Publisher: Apogee Software
Developer: id Software
Genre: First Person Shooter
Release Date: June 9, 2009
Platforms: Playstation 3, Xbox 360, PC, MAC, Mobile, SNES, GBA, and Jaguar
ESRB: M - Mature

Reviewer: Andy

I don’t remember much of Wolfenstein 3D. I think it is because it was released when I was 6 years old, and my only concern at the time was the 8-bit Nintendo. Although it was released over 18 years ago, I now realize what made it so revolutionary for its time.

You play as the character William “BJ” Blazkowicz, who is attempting to escape through Castle Wolfenstein to destroy Adolf Hitler and his Nazis war machines. The game consists of six episodes with each episode containing ten levels. The levels are made up of mazes where the player must enter through doors, find a key, and exit through a locked door that leads to an elevator. That elevator then leads to the next level until the player reaches the last stage that features a boss. You kill the boss to proceed and so forth.

The game is a basic first person shooter where you kill Nazis, collect ammo, steal gold, and replenish your health by eating chicken drumsticks. It is as simple as that. The controls are basic where you can’t look up and down but only ahead, and rotate your character around in a complete circle when traveling.

Wolfenstein 3D offers fun but repetitive gameplay. If I would have played this back when it first released in 1992, I would have definitely found out why this was so great. This was one of the titles that paved way for the hit, Doom, which released only a year after. It would also be the foundation for first-person shooters for the years to come. Wolfenstein 3D is easy to pick up and can be addictive as you progress through the levels. It is one of the only games that you will find pictures of Hitler and swastikas decorated all over the walls. I should add that is also one of the only games where you will have a chance to duel it out with Hitler.
 
Final Verdict
Everyone should experience this piece of gaming history, especially if you are a first-person shooter fan. It is not much to look at today, but it still holds up well for nostalgic gamers. Fighting Nazis and Hitler himself has never felt so good. If you love earning trophies, Wolfenstein 3D offers some challenges that makes it worth picking up on the Playstation 3 for only $4.99.

Rating Breakdown
Gameplay: 9 out of 10
    + Kill Nazis and Adolf Hitler in one of the earliest successful first-person shooters.
    - The gameplay might be too dated for some to handle.
Graphics: 8 out of 10
    + These were top notch in the early 90s…
    - …but today, not so much.
Audio: 6 out of 10
    + The Germans shrieks and cries of death are entertaining.
    - Very basic audio that offers nothing special.
Replay Value: 7 out of 10
    + Offers some challenging gameplay at the higher difficulties along with trophies.
    - Once you complete the game and score all the trophies, you are pretty much done.

Overall
7.50 out of 10