Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus
Nazis Have No Place In This World
Having not played a Wolfenstein game since Wolfenstein 3D long ago, I wasn't too sure what to expect other than the rave reviews, previews, and high praise on Twitter that Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus had already received. As far as gameplay was concerned, I knew the game was a first-person shooter, I knew I would be decimating Nazis, but I had no idea what was actually waiting for me.
PLAY CONTROL
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus (W2:TNC) has incredibly fluid control systems in place. There are several control styles in the options menu to choose from, depending on your handedness. You'll make use of every button on the controller, and I found the game far easier to play on the telly using a Pro controller compared to the Joy-cons or even playing in handheld mode. Actions are performed without delay, and the game gives off an immensely satisfying bit of grit as you gun down our sad Nazi saps. I especially found the HD rumble effects of each gun made the play control feel that much more immersive. Aiming was a fascinating caveat itself due to a sweeping blur effect that takes place as you quickly pan across the environments — I found this aspect incredibly realistic. There are standard sensitivity options in place in the menu as well to adjust to your needs. The game is an absolute joy to run around in.
GAMEPLAY/MECHANICS
W2:TNC has an interesting stealth premise built into the game. As you progress through each level as our Nazi-killing machine, B.J. Blazkowicz, you'll encounter sections/areas within each that propose to you to advance using either stealth actions or intense firefights. Ambushing a Nazi with gunplay sounds an alarm and makes commanders call upon reinforcements of which all must be disposed. Of course, you can bypass this all by speedrunning through to your objective and finding the level's stage exit, but c'mon...it's more fun killing Nazis!
If you do decide to ambush your Nazi opponents, be prepared to handle your health and armour properly. The game has a regenerative/degenerative aspect to each, as you can pick up health packs and med kits which will increase your HP, but it slowly ticks away back down to 100. Opposite of that is is body armour. You can pick up bonus armour which increases it up to 200, but once you go under 100, it will regenerate back up to 100 as long as you're not under fire. I really liked this aspect of the game, as it always kept me on my toes.
There are several types of unique weaponry in this game, and goodness, they're all so unique and incredibly immersive. A good majority of the weapons can be dual-wielded, but I honestly found myself not going that route. I had more fun finding the weapon upgrades and modifying each gun to fit my tastes. My favourite weapon you could keep within your inventory was the Stormgewehr power rifle, and modifying it with armour piercing felt oh so good. Outside of the inventory-based weapons, the Lasegewehr was my weapon of choice...when I could find one, that is. The feeling you get from laser melting a Nazi to ashes is a feeling not too many get to experience. It's definitely a great experience, I'd say. You should totally try it out if you get the chance. Might I suggest using it on Richard Spencer?
You also get equipped with a Nazi-killing super suit. You can power stomp your way through floors, shoulder tackle Nazi's to stun them, and eventually get upgrades that allow you reach higher platforms or shrink down into small crevices for surprise attacks. It's crazy inventive, and I just loved every aspect of it.
GRAPHICS
Sure, the 4k twins (Playstation 4 and Xbox One) are going to showcase this game with far fancier, cutting-edge realistic graphics, but seriously...Panic Button did an outstandingly superb job bringing this game to the Nintendo Switch. The most recent update of the game even included a graphics pack enhancement that was automatically applied to create an even more fluid look and feel to the WII:TNC's graphical fidelity. The Switch version of the game uses a scaling resolution effect, but honestly, it's mostly only noticeable while on the Eva's Hammer — your base of operations. The game maintains a stable 30 frames per second, and it works beautifully for what Panic Button has done for the game. I say bravo.
AUDIO/MUSIC
Mick Gordon and Martin Stig Andersen are responsible for WII:TNC's sound design, and they've composed a musical score that will send chills down your spine; a soundtrack that keeps you on edge during the entirety of your travels across Nazi-ravaged America. It's beautiful. I mentioned that grit earlier, correct? You get that with each gun's unique sound effects, and every single one has this rawness, this fullness that encapsulates a feeling of utter joy decimating and gunning down the evil Nazi regime. Seriously, as someone with intense anxiety, I'm not sure how I managed my way through this game at all. By the end, my chest was so tensed up, and I had an immense headache from the stress the game's brutality puts you through. Everything sounds absolutely realistic. It's almost terrifying.PLAY CONTROL
GAMEPLAY/MECHANICS
W2:TNC has an interesting stealth premise built into the game. As you progress through each level as our Nazi-killing machine, B.J. Blazkowicz, you'll encounter sections/areas within each that propose to you to advance using either stealth actions or intense firefights. Ambushing a Nazi with gunplay sounds an alarm and makes commanders call upon reinforcements of which all must be disposed. Of course, you can bypass this all by speedrunning through to your objective and finding the level's stage exit, but c'mon...it's more fun killing Nazis!
There are several types of unique weaponry in this game, and goodness, they're all so unique and incredibly immersive. A good majority of the weapons can be dual-wielded, but I honestly found myself not going that route. I had more fun finding the weapon upgrades and modifying each gun to fit my tastes. My favourite weapon you could keep within your inventory was the Stormgewehr power rifle, and modifying it with armour piercing felt oh so good. Outside of the inventory-based weapons, the Lasegewehr was my weapon of choice...when I could find one, that is. The feeling you get from laser melting a Nazi to ashes is a feeling not too many get to experience. It's definitely a great experience, I'd say. You should totally try it out if you get the chance. Might I suggest using it on Richard Spencer?
You also get equipped with a Nazi-killing super suit. You can power stomp your way through floors, shoulder tackle Nazi's to stun them, and eventually get upgrades that allow you reach higher platforms or shrink down into small crevices for surprise attacks. It's crazy inventive, and I just loved every aspect of it.
GRAPHICS
AUDIO/MUSIC
SUMMARY
To summarise, go play this game. Seriously. You get to kill Nazis — a group of people undeserving of life on this planet (and on other planets.) Wolfenstein II is brash, raw, and incredibly satisfying to play. Within is immensely fun gameplay with inventive guns and upgrades, and a story that will keep you on edge. There are some very crude moments that play out during certain cinematics, but goodness. It's so good. Once again, bravo, Panic Button. They did an outstanding job bringing this game to the Nintendo Switch.
