9 /10 20

Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus stands as one of the most audacious single-player first-person shooters ever created. Released in October 2017, it takes the formula established by 2014’s The New Order and amplifies every element, from visceral combat to narrative ambition. Set in an alternate history where Nazi Germany won World War II and now occupies America, the game doesn’t shy away from dark themes and explosive action.

This review explores what makes The New Colossus a landmark FPS that balances shocking storytelling with refined gunplay mechanics, and why it remains relevant for players seeking meaningful campaigns in the shooter genre.

How to Play Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus

Wolfenstein II delivers classic fast-paced first-person shooter action with a focus on aggressive, weapon-focused combat. The campaign emphasizes movement, cover usage, and tactical weapon selection across eight challenging missions. Players control BJ Blazkowicz as he leads a resistance movement against Nazi occupation.

1. Controls – Responsive, tight controls tailored for both keyboard/mouse and controller. Learning curve is minimal; even newcomers grasp combat mechanics within the opening mission.
2. Progression – Linear campaign divided into eight chapters, each escalating in scale and narrative significance. Completion averages 10-12 hours for first playthrough on standard difficulty.
3. Combat/Mechanics – Core loop involves identifying enemy positions, selecting appropriate weapons from dual-wielding arsenal, and executing brutal takedowns. Destruction physics reward aggressive play; environmental hazards and breakable objects add tactical depth.
4. Tips – Carry heavy weapons when possible; switch to appropriate gun type for each enemy class; utilize cover but don’t camp; stealth is optional, aggression is rewarded; collect armor and ammo liberally dropped by enemies.

Who Should Play Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus

The New Colossus targets mature audiences seeking narrative-driven FPS experiences. Its dark themes, explicit violence, and political undertones make it distinct from mainstream shooters. This game appeals to specific player segments while potentially alienating others.

• Campaign Story Enthusiasts – Players who value narrative depth and character development will find BJ Blazkowicz and his resistance crew genuinely compelling. The dialogue, voice acting (particularly Anne-Marie Loba as Frau Engel), and cinematic presentation create an immersive experience rarely seen in shooters.
• Classic FPS Fans – Those who miss old-school design philosophy focused on weapon-switching, health management, and straightforward level design will appreciate The New Colossus’s no-frills approach to combat pacing.
• Players Seeking Bold Narratives – The game directly confronts fascism, racism, and American identity with unapologetic brutality. Those interested in games that tackle real-world themes through speculative fiction will find substance here.
• Skip if – You prefer multiplayer-focused experiences (no multiplayer here), want stealth-focused gameplay, dislike graphic violence, or seek fast-twitch competitive action. Also avoid if politically charged narratives feel inappropriate for your gaming preferences.

Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus Platform Performance

The New Colossus maintains exceptional performance across all platforms, showcasing MachineGames’ optimized id Tech 6 engine. PC dominates with customizable settings; console versions deliver stable frame rates with visual mode options. Nintendo Switch port by Panic Button demonstrates technical prowess despite hardware limitations.

Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus System Requirements

PC requirements scale efficiently across mid-range to high-end hardware. Minimum specifications target 720p/60 FPS on low settings; recommended targeting 1080p/60 FPS on high. Storage footprint is substantial at 55GB, requiring SSD installation for optimal performance.

Similar Games to Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus

Several titles share The New Colossus’s blend of narrative-driven shooting and aggressive combat design. These alternatives offer comparable experiences with distinct gameplay focuses and storytelling approaches. Each delivers single-player campaigns prioritizing atmosphere and character development.

• Doom (2016) and Doom Eternal – Share id Tech foundation and relentless combat pace. Doom emphasizes arcade-style action over narrative; lacks The New Colossus’s political depth but matches gunplay satisfaction.
• Dishonored Series – Arkane Studios’ immersive first-person experiences with narrative weight. More stealth-oriented than Wolfenstein; set in fully realized fantasy worlds with branching paths.
• Halo: The Master Chief Collection – Bungie and 343 Industries’ sci-fi shooter campaigns with strong world-building. Less graphic but equally ambitious in scope; emphasizes environmental storytelling over explicit narrative.
• BioShock Series – Irrational Games’ narrative-focused FPS with environmental puzzle-solving. Slower paced than Wolfenstein; philosophical undertones replace political commentary.

Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus vs Competitors

The New Colossus occupies unique space in the FPS landscape: campaign-focused shooter without multiplayer, prioritizing narrative and gunplay over competitive modes. Direct pricing and content comparison against contemporary single-player shooters reveals its value proposition against Doom and Halo titles.

Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus Story and World

The narrative unfolds in 1961 America under complete Nazi occupation following a hypothetical Axis victory in 1946. BJ Blazkowicz awakens from a comatose state to discover his pregnant wife Anya and a fractured resistance movement. The world-building explores what American fascism might resemble: technology-obsessed, brutally efficient, yet culturally hollow. Characters possess real depth; Frau Engel stands as one of gaming’s most memorable antagonists, her psychological complexity matching her sadistic brutality. The story balances dark themes with unexpected humor and genuine emotional beats. Without spoiling narrative turns, the game explores identity, resistance, and what freedom means when systematically crushed. Tone shifts between visceral action sequences and quieter character moments create narrative rhythm rarely achieved in shooters.

Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus Multiplayer and Online

Wolfenstein II forgoes multiplayer entirely, focusing development resources on campaign quality and depth. This design choice distinguishes it from industry trends favoring live-service models. The game delivers no seasonal content, battle passes, or competitive modes, simplifying maintenance and allowing focused, complete experience.

• Single-Player Campaign Only – Eight-mission narrative campaign serving as complete package with no additional online components, stripped-down multiplayer, or competitive functionality.
• No Seasonal Content – Campaign receives no post-launch narrative expansions or seasonal updates; DLC packs provide optional alternative story content through Freedom Chronicles episodes.
• Cross-Platform Play – Not applicable; no online multiplayer integration across console generations, PC platforms, or cross-play functionality between systems.
• Offline Complete Experience – All content playable offline without account connectivity requirements, server dependency, or online authentication beyond initial activation.

Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus DLC and Expansions

Post-launch content arrives through The Freedom Chronicles season pass, offering three separate story episodes featuring new protagonists fighting Nazi occupation. Episodes provide 3 hours of content each with 9 total hours across all DLC. Later missions introduce more challenging enemy compositions and expanded maps. Free updates throughout 2018-2019 patched gameplay balance and performance issues without adding story content. Season Pass traditionally priced at $24.99; individual episodes available at $9.99 each. Nintendo Switch port excludes all DLC content due to technical limitations.

• Episode 0 (Free Prologue) – “Gunslinger Joe” serves as optional introduction covering BJ’s resistance initiation; free for all owners; establishes tone for season pass narrative.
• Episode 1: Gunslinger Joe – Cowboy-themed adventure with unique weapon arsenal and desert settings; $9.99 or season pass; 3 hours of content with 4-6 challenging missions.
• Episode 2: The Diaries of Agent Silent – Spy-thriller narrative following female operative through Europa locations; atmospheric stealth-action hybrid gameplay; $9.99 standalone.
• Episode 3: Dos Bros – Buddy-comedy featuring Latin American freedom fighters with explosive cooperative-style gameplay; comedic tone balances dark main campaign; $9.99 individual price.
• Season Pass Bundle – All three episodes packaged at $24.99, representing slight discount versus individual purchases; launch-day owners received automatic pass inclusion.
• Free Updates – Multiple balance patches addressing weapon tuning, difficulty balancing, and performance optimization; no new story content added post-DLC cycle.

Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus Community and Support

MachineGames maintains active community engagement through official channels and third-party platforms. Forums track balance discussions and technical issues. Reddit communities discuss speedrunning, challenge runs, and narrative analysis. Steam Workshop integration enables limited customization through map and configuration modifications. Developer roadmap publicly shared patch schedules and addressed community feedback regarding difficulty balance and performance optimization.

• Official Forums – MachineGames maintains Bethesda forums for direct developer communication; community managers respond to technical issues and balance inquiries; archived discussions document nearly eight years of player feedback.
• Reddit Community (r/Wolfenstein) – Active subreddit with 120,000+ members discussing lore analysis, challenge runs, speedrunning records, and modding possibilities; community organizes tournaments for custom difficulty modes.
• Discord Servers – Dedicated Discord communities organize challenge runs, speedrunning events, and narrative discussion groups; developer participation historically increased engagement during DLC launch windows.
• Mod Support – Limited native modding tools; Steam Workshop integration enables configuration adjustments; community enthusiasts created difficulty mods, cosmetic overhauls, and gameplay balance modifications.
• Updates and Patches – Post-launch support concluded in 2019 following DLC cycle; technical maintenance patches continue addressing compatibility with modern Windows versions and newer hardware configurations.