'Wolfenstein: The New Order (2014)' revives its pioneering series and attempts to kick the first-person shooter genre back to its roots. The game really only has one thing in its mind: shooting Nazis. Thankfully, then, this aspect of its design is highly satisfying, thanks to the piece's refined controls and large arsenal of weapons. It's gory, over-the-top and a lot of fun. This does sort of clash with the thing's story, as the narrative attempts to be somewhat serious with just a dash of satire here and there. Ultimately, though, it maintains a tonal balance and works as a kind of schlocky, 'what-if?' science-fiction. A lot of time is spent on delivering the plot, which isn't an issue since it's so well-written and enjoyable. The game's level design is almost labyrinthine at times, allowing you to explore at your own pace and search for secrets if you so wish. This makes it rather replayable, as each mission feels distinct and the few hub locations you visit have a variety of rooms to explore. Here, you can interact further with the game's rag-tag cast of characters, cementing them within the world-space. Overall, this is one of the more enjoyable FPS games of the 2010s, principally because it focuses on its shooting mechanics and doesn't encumber the player with a weapon limit or a slow movement speed. It's great fun. 8/10
Review of Wolfenstein: The New Order
