Wolfenstein: The New Order

MachineGames, a studio formed by former Starbreeze developers, took the reins of the classic id Software franchise and delivered a bold, bloody reinvention. Wolfenstein: The New Order hit PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One on May 20, 2014, and it immediately stood apart from the military shooters of its era. This is a first-person shooter with a heavy dose of action-adventure, set in a chilling alternate 1960s where the Nazis won World War II and now run a global fascist empire. You play as William "B.J." Blazkowicz, a war-scarred veteran who wakes from a coma to find the world he fought for gone, replaced by a brutal occupation that feels both fantastical and disturbingly grounded.

Combat is fast, loud, and gloriously physical. You can dual-wield shotguns, charge into firefights, or use the game's cover system to pick off soldiers with precision. A key choice in the prologue splits the story into two distinct timelines, changing which characters appear and how certain plot points unfold, giving the campaign real replay value. The developers made a conscious effort to flesh out Blazkowicz beyond his stoic soldier archetype, adding moments of vulnerability and humanity that make the carnage feel more meaningful. The result is a game that balances over-the-top action with a surprisingly emotional core, set against the backdrop of a terrifyingly plausible dystopia.

Critics praised the game's combat and narrative, calling it a strong comeback for the series. It earned multiple Game of the Year and Best Shooter nominations. A standalone prequel, Wolfenstein: The Old Blood, arrived in May 2015, and the story continued with Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus in October 2017. But The New Order remains the boldest statement, a game that proved a decades-old franchise could still feel fresh and vital. [edit]

Wolfenstein: The New Order plays like a love letter to old-school shooters, but with a modern sensibility. The core loop is simple: blast through waves of Nazi soldiers using an arsenal that ranges from pistols to a laser weapon that can charge up for a devastating shot. Dual-wielding is a highlight, letting you hold two shotguns at once and let loose with both triggers. There's also a cover system, though it's never required; you can play it as a run-and-gun power fantasy or take a more methodical approach.

A defining feature is the prologue choice. Early on, you're in a hospital under attack, and you have to decide which of two comrades to save. That one decision splits the story into two distinct timelines, altering which characters you interact with and how certain missions play out. It's a clever way to encourage a second playthrough, and it adds a layer of personal stakes to the narrative.

The game also introduces a stealth element, though it's optional. You can sneak around and take out enemies quietly, but the game never forces it. The level design is linear but offers hidden rooms and collectibles, like gold bars and notes that flesh out the world. It's a tight, focused campaign that doesn't overstay its welcome, clocking in around 12 to 15 hours depending on how much you explore. [edit]

The story kicks off in 1946, during the final days of World War II. B.J. Blazkowicz leads an assault on a Nazi compound, but things go sideways. He's captured and ends up in a coma, only to wake up in 1960. The world he knew is gone. The Nazis won, and they've built a global empire, complete with advanced technology and a ruthless leader named Frau Engel. Blazkowicz joins a small resistance group, and together they work to take down the regime.

What makes the narrative stand out is its tone. It swings wildly between absurd, over-the-top action and quiet moments of character building. Blazkowicz isn't just a one-dimensional soldier; he's a man grappling with trauma and loss. The game doesn't shy away from the horrors of the Nazi regime, showing concentration camps and torture, which gives the violence a weight you don't expect from a shooter. The choice you make in the prologue affects which characters survive, and those characters have their own arcs, making the world feel more alive.

The climax is a raid on a Nazi moon base, which is as ridiculous as it sounds, but the game earns it. The ending sets up a sequel, and it's a satisfying conclusion to Blazkowicz's arc in this installment. [edit]