Return to Castle Wolfenstein

84%
Game Brain Score Based on 82 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
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"Return to Castle Wolfenstein" is a shooter game that combines action and horror in a single-player campaign, where players, as US Army Ranger B.J. Blazkowicz, battle against Nazis, the undead, and experimental mutant soldiers in World War II. The game also features multiplayer options with objective-focused and team-based gameplay for Axis and Allies. It boasts a good plot, impressive visuals, and a variety of both classic and sci-fi-inspired weapons.

  • PC
  • Xbox
  • Xbox Game Pass
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

84%
Audience ScoreBased on 82 reviews
story9 positive mentions
replayability3 negative mentions
  • Return to Castle Wolfenstein is a classic first-person shooter with great gameplay and impressive graphics for its time.
  • The game features a variety of weapons and allows for both stealth and action-oriented gameplay, enhancing replay value.
  • The Xbox version includes additional levels and a cooperative multiplayer mode, making it a must-have for fans of the genre.
  • The game can experience occasional lag when played on Xbox 360, which may disrupt the gaming experience.
  • Some players found the controls confusing and not intuitive compared to other popular shooters, leading to a frustrating experience.
  • The lack of a save feature in cooperative mode is a significant drawback, making it difficult to progress through the game with a partner.
  • story45 mentions

    The game's story features a mix of World War II themes, including encounters with Nazis and supernatural elements like zombies and super soldiers, providing a unique twist on the genre. While the narrative includes several engaging missions and settings, some players feel it lacks depth and coherence, with limited cutscenes and a somewhat generic plot. Overall, the story is seen as entertaining but could benefit from more development and clarity.

    • “The storyline is great and involves several twists.”
    • “The throbbing theme music is spot on and the great voice acting brings the life out of the nifty storyline.”
    • “The storyline has you facing off with evil Nazis and their experiments with the occult—zombies, super soldiers, etc. Along the way, you get to infiltrate the catacombs under an African desert, break your way out of Castle Wolfenstein, and escape via a cable car, and break into a top-secret testing facility, where you must stop a V2 rocket launch, destroy a radar prototype, and steal an experimental jet aircraft.”
    • “The plot is pretty unbelievable stuff, and doesn't do anything for the game (except explain why Nazis and zombies are fighting you at the same time).”
    • “I would describe the plot of the game, but quite honestly, I'm not sure what it is.”
  • graphics26 mentions

    Overall, the graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising them as impressive for a title from 2003, often comparing them favorably to early Xbox 360 and PS3 games. While some players highlight the smooth visuals and sharp presentation, others note issues such as framerate drops during intense moments and a lack of detail in certain areas. Despite these criticisms, the graphics are generally considered a strong aspect of the game, contributing positively to the overall experience.

    • “The graphics are rather impressive.”
    • “The graphics are amazing, the storyline is believable.”
    • “The presentation is superb and the graphics are so sharp you should be careful not to cut yourself.”
    • “I compare these graphics to that of early Xbox 360 and PS3 games (such as Saints Row 1, Fear, etc.).”
    • “The graphics are clean, yet Xbox has done cleaner, especially when things get frantic and full on the screen, the framerate suffers.”
    • “Still other levels have mediocre graphics that probably could've been done on old PS1.”
  • gameplay13 mentions

    Overall, the gameplay is praised for its fluidity and realism, particularly in multiplayer modes, with many users highlighting the enjoyable mechanics and balanced item usage. While some find it fun and engaging, others note that it can feel somewhat bland at times. The game has received high ratings, indicating a strong overall experience.

    • “While the basic gameplay and new missions are quite fun, where the game *really* shines is in Xbox Live gameplay.”
    • “Great graphics, sound, and gameplay make this game without a doubt the second best first-person shooter (FPS) game after Halo.”
    • “The gameplay is without any glaring problems, but it's rather bland.”
    • “They even tweaked how some items work in multiplayer (venom, flamethrower) to help balance gameplay.”
    • “This is a game with very 'fluid' gameplay.”
  • replayability4 mentions

    Overall, players have mixed feelings about replayability; while some highlight it as a strong point with high scores, others find it lacking. The gameplay and graphics are praised, contributing to a generally positive view of replay value, though not universally acclaimed.

    • “Not to mention the replay value is through the roof.”
    • “I gotta admit the graphics aren't on par with the best, but the gameplay and replay value are tops.”
    • “The replay value is through the roof.”
    • “The game lacks significant incentives to replay, making it feel like a one-time experience.”
    • “Once you finish the main story, there isn't much left to draw you back in.”
  • music4 mentions

    The music in the game is generally well-received, featuring a fitting orchestral soundtrack that enhances the atmosphere, though some players feel a more industrial synth approach would have been better. The theme music is particularly praised for its effectiveness, contributing to the game's eerie ambiance and complementing the strong voice acting and storyline. Overall, the sound design, including music and effects, is highlighted as a significant positive aspect of the game.

    • “The throbbing theme music is spot on and the great voice acting brings the story to life.”
    • “The graphics in this game are great and so is the background music; it's kind of eerie at times.”
    • “My comments on the game are as follows: pros: excellent graphics, cool sound effects, and music.”
    • “The soundtrack is fitting, with an orchestral type sound throughout, but a more industrial synth-driven track would have been more suitable.”
    • “The music feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged.”
    • “While the sound design is decent, the overall music does not enhance the gameplay experience.”
  • optimization3 mentions

    Overall, users note that while the demo experienced frame rate issues, there is optimism that the final retail release will see improved performance and realistic sound effects.

    • “I'm sure performance will be improved in the final retail release.”
    • “The demo did have frame rate issues, though I'm sure performance will be improved in the final retail release.”
    • “This should slightly improve the performance.”
    • “Real performance and realistic sound effects.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game is positively influenced by its co-op feature, which enhances replay value and encourages players to engage with friends.

  • grinding1 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, particularly due to the imprecise aiming mechanics with the pistol and the frustrating lack of a flashlight in dark environments, which can lead to prolonged and unenjoyable gameplay sessions.

    • “Aiming at single enemies with a pistol is a tedious affair due to the lack of analog sensitivity. After spending 10 minutes in one of the many dimly lit levels, you will wonder why no one thought to include a flashlight in your character's inventory.”
    • “The grinding in this game feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged with the story.”
    • “Leveling up requires an excessive amount of time spent on monotonous tasks, which detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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