PGC NEWS

Five months after defeating General Wilhelm “Deathshead” Strausse in the Baltic Sea, William “Terror-Billy” Blazkowicz awakens from a coma to rejoin the Kreisau Circle resistance in their fight against the Nazi regime in a dystopian America. Returning players familiar with MachineGames’ 2014 revival of the Wolfenstein franchise might expect The New Colossus to deliver the same gripping narrative and thrilling gameplay. Sadly, while the game retains some of its predecessor’s magic, it stumbles in several key areas.

Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus – Review

A Narrative Misstep

Wolfenstein: The New Order succeeded in part due to its unique blend of gritty dieselpunk aesthetics, dark humor, and a compelling reimagining of B.J. Blazkowicz. The New Colossus retains these elements; B.J.’s internal monologue continues, albeit with a shift towards anxieties about impending fatherhood, and the cutscenes maintain their signature Dutch angles and black and red color palette. The world-building remains strong, with nuanced portrayals of Nazi society through overheard conversations and propaganda materials. The inclusion of historical figures, like a character inspired by filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl, adds another layer of depth.

Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus – Review

However, the narrative momentum falters with the shift to an American setting. While the premise of a resistance movement in Nazi-occupied America offers fertile ground for exploring social dynamics, The New Colossus fumbles its execution. The introduction of Grace Walker and the Black Panther-inspired resistance group in New York pivots the narrative into a discussion of racial dynamics in a way that feels forced and detracts from the core conflict. While well-intentioned, this plot thread lacks the subtlety of The New Order‘s social commentary and doesn’t contribute meaningfully to the overall story.

The game also suffers from tonal inconsistencies. While The New Order effectively balanced seriousness and dark humor, The New Colossus frequently veers into over-the-top absurdity. The shocking violence, bizarre body horror, and crude humor often clash with the more dramatic and emotional moments, resulting in a disjointed narrative experience. The supporting cast, including returning characters like Set Roth and Anya, are underdeveloped and contribute little to the story, while Frau Engel’s exaggerated villainy further exacerbates the tonal issues.

Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus – Review

Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus – Review

The second half of the game further derails the narrative with a rushed and nonsensical plot. Several plot threads, like the Da’at Yichud artifact, are introduced but left unresolved, seemingly setting up future installments. The ending feels abrupt and unsatisfying, leaving the player with more questions than answers.

Gunplay and Gameplay Regression

The New Colossus inherits the core gameplay mechanics of its predecessor but unfortunately exacerbates existing issues. The stealth mechanics are frustrating, with inconsistent enemy AI and limited options for disposing of bodies. The melee combat feels clunky, with thrown hatchets often failing to connect. The difficulty spikes dramatically, even on lower settings, due to overly aggressive enemies, limited health and armor, and poor visual feedback on incoming damage.

The weapon selection is also underwhelming. While the shotgun and assault rifle remain effective, other weapons like the Laserkraftwerk and pistol feel underpowered. The grenade launcher and SMG are practically useless. The game encourages the use of heavy weapons dropped by enemies, further diminishing the value of the standard arsenal. The dual-wielding mechanic feels cumbersome and imprecise.

Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus – Review

The level design is a step back from The New Order, failing to strike a balance between stealth and all-out action. The placement of Commanders often necessitates open combat, making stealth playthroughs nearly impossible. The Contraptions, while offering new traversal options, feel underutilized and don’t significantly enhance the gameplay. The levels are generally linear and lack the variety and creativity of The New Order‘s locations. The overly dark environments often obscure enemies, making combat more frustrating than challenging.

A Saving Grace

One undeniable highlight of The New Colossus is Mick Gordon’s soundtrack. While The New Order leaned towards a raw, distorted sound, The New Colossus incorporates sharp synth melodies and driving rhythms that complement the game’s tense atmosphere. While not as impactful as DOOM‘s soundtrack, it provides a welcome auditory backdrop to the action.

Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus – Review

Conclusion

Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus is a disappointing follow-up to The New Order. While it retains some of its predecessor’s strengths, its flawed narrative, frustrating gameplay, and underwhelming level design prevent it from reaching its full potential. The excellent soundtrack and moments of brilliance are ultimately overshadowed by the game’s numerous shortcomings.