Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus
- October 26, 2017
- Machine Games
- 11h median play time
In Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus, players continue the fight as B.J. Blazkowicz, a resistance fighter battling against the Nazi regime in an alternate 1960s America. The game features intense action and a gripping narrative as players recruit and lead a rebellion against the oppressive regime. With a variety of unique weapons and abilities, players must strategize and adapt to overcome challenging enemies and scenarios.
Reviews
- story7,913 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The story of "Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus" is a polarizing aspect among players, with many praising its engaging and absurd narrative that continues the saga of B.J. Blazkowicz in a dystopian America under Nazi rule. However, criticisms often focus on its uneven pacing, excessive cutscenes, and a tendency to veer into melodrama and political commentary, which some players found detracted from the overall experience. While the game offers memorable characters and intense action, many feel it lacks the depth and coherence of its predecessor, "The New Order."
“Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus features an amazing story, graphics, and gameplay, making it one of the best FPS games I've played.”
“The story is captivating and emotionally charged, with well-developed characters that add depth to the player's journey.”
“This game tells a deep and intense story about how B.J. Blazkowicz and his team took down a Nazi regime, and I have played through it six times.”
“A story so bad it ruined everything else the game had going for it.”
“The more I played, the more I realized how utterly unrealistic and nonsensical the storyline is, to the point where it completely undermines any enjoyment I could have gotten out of it.”
“The story feels forced.”
- gameplay3,190 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus" is generally praised for its fast-paced, action-oriented mechanics, reminiscent of its predecessor, "The New Order." Players appreciate the satisfying gunplay, dual-wielding options, and the ability to approach encounters with either stealth or aggressive tactics. However, many reviews highlight issues such as an overabundance of cutscenes disrupting gameplay flow, inconsistent stealth mechanics, and a lack of significant innovation compared to previous titles, leading to a mixed reception regarding the overall gameplay experience.
“The game plays and runs very well, game mechanics all work really well, stealth is well put together.”
“Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus shines in its gameplay mechanics, offering a satisfying and dynamic shooting experience set against a visually impressive backdrop.”
“The gameplay is fast-paced and action-packed.”
“The dumb, disjointed storyline, uninteresting characters, and laughably unrealistic gameplay made it a chore to play through.”
“The gameplay is so fast yet captivating, and the way they realistically portray war in small cutscenes is just immaculate.”
“The gameplay loop is incredibly repetitive, revolving around killing commanders to stop reinforcements spawning; whilst this is a good idea it is overused and the game feels like a game of hide and seek with Nazi commanders.”
- graphics1,822 mentions
- 54 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The graphics in "Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals and detailed environments, showcasing a significant improvement over previous titles in the series. Players have praised the unique art style that complements the game's alternate history setting, as well as the impressive performance on various hardware configurations, even on integrated graphics. However, some users have reported graphical glitches and performance issues, particularly with certain graphics settings, which can detract from the overall experience.
“The graphics are stunning, with a unique art style that perfectly complements the alternate history setting.”
“The game's graphics are designed in a realistic style with detailed environments and characters.”
“The art style, combined with the game’s dark and gritty aesthetic, effectively conveys the dystopian atmosphere and enhances the overall impact of the narrative.”
“The action would be good fun, if the game didn't chug like an alcoholic during happy hour, even on the lowest graphics settings, and as a result also looks blander than boiled cabbage on unsalted crackers.”
“I was seriously expecting more, after the masterpiece of New Order, and the solidity of Old Blood, New Colossus just failed every expectation aside from graphically.”
“This game is a graphics hog.”
- humor589 mentions
- 97 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The humor in "Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus" is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating its dark, absurd, and often over-the-top comedic elements that juxtapose the serious themes of the narrative. While some find the humor genuinely funny and well-integrated into the story, others criticize it for being forced or inappropriate, detracting from the emotional weight of certain scenes. Overall, the game successfully balances humor with intense action, creating a unique experience that can be both hilarious and gut-wrenching.
“Blazkowicz's inner monologue is a constant source of amusement, and the game is filled with over-the-top situations that will have you chuckling as you mow down nazis.”
“The cutscenes in The New Colossus are extremely entertaining; they've done a great job of mixing in humor, creating daunting villains, and portraying the emotions the crew experiences throughout the highs and lows of their revolution.”
“The story tackles mature themes of war, loss, and oppression, but it never loses its sense of humor.”
“The story also makes very little sense, often 'jumps the shark' and is filled with cringey humor and (I hate myself for saying it like this but it is true) 'woke' sentiments, constantly bashing men and non-ethnic people.”
“In TNC, every potentially emotional cutscene gets abruptly cut short by cringey jokes or crude humor that don't stick the landing.”
“Story - it's all over the place; serious scenes have strange and often not funny humor thrust into them for no apparent reason, and there are a lot of WTF moments that seem to only be there to shock you but are then just brushed over.”
- music540 mentions
- 49 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The music in "Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus" has received widespread acclaim, particularly for its dynamic and immersive soundtrack composed by Mick Gordon, which effectively enhances the game's intense combat and emotional moments. While many players appreciate the blend of heavy metal and orchestral elements, some have noted issues with audio mixing that can obscure the music during gameplay. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, though opinions vary on specific tracks, especially the end credits song, which has drawn criticism.
“The soundtrack complements the action and mood, further immersing players in the game’s world.”
“The atmospheric soundtrack perfectly complements the gameplay, heightening the tension and adding to the immersive experience.”
“Mick Gordon's soundtrack still rocks.”
“While the technology held up well visually, the music quality was mediocre at best.”
“The music stayed in the background; generally, I just didn’t notice it.”
“The music is neither dynamic nor noticeable; I have very recently realized that there is pretty much no musical impact in the game.”
- stability480 mentions
- 10 % positive mentions
- 2 % neutral mentions
- 88 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has been widely criticized, with numerous players reporting frequent crashes, freezes, and various glitches that significantly hinder gameplay. While some users experienced smooth performance with minimal issues, the overwhelming consensus indicates that the game is plagued by technical problems, making it unplayable for many. Overall, players are advised to approach the game with caution, as its stability issues can detract from an otherwise enjoyable experience.
“The game is highly Vulkan optimized and runs great at 4K.”
“Clean, smooth experience, with no glitches.”
“Game runs great and looks beautiful.”
“While not game-breaking, these technical glitches can be frustrating and diminish the enjoyment of the experience.”
“The game itself would be fun, but with all the freezes it's not worth it.”
“This game is a buggy mess.”
- optimization479 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 51 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its performance on high-end systems, achieving smooth frame rates even at maximum settings, while others report significant technical issues, including crashes, stuttering, and poor performance on lower-end hardware. Many users noted that the game is particularly well-optimized for AMD cards, but struggles with NVIDIA GPUs, leading to a frustrating experience for some players. Overall, while some find the game runs beautifully, others highlight persistent optimization problems that detract from the gameplay experience.
“The game is simply stunning-looking, the music and sound design damn near made me bust at certain points, the shooting feels so good, the weapons' punch matches their beefy look, the level design is simply masterful, and the game itself is so well optimized that even my potato PC can run this game at high settings preset.”
“Wolfenstein II is one of the most well-optimized, beautiful, and fun games I've played.”
“The game runs beautifully at 100+ fps with a GTX 1080ti and I'm getting no stuttering so far.”
“The game has been reported to have various technical issues, including performance problems and occasional bugs.”
“Terribly optimized game.”
“Horribly optimized, won't even start.”
- emotional213 mentions
- 98 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus" is characterized by a blend of heartfelt storytelling, well-developed characters, and moments of both humor and gut-wrenching intensity. While many players appreciate the emotional depth and impactful narrative choices, some criticize the tonal inconsistencies that disrupt the emotional flow, often shifting abruptly from serious themes to comedic interludes. Overall, the game is recognized for its ability to evoke strong feelings, making it a compelling experience despite its occasional narrative flaws.
“Blazkowicz’s journey is filled with emotional depth, humor, and gut-wrenching moments that make you truly care about the fate of the resistance.”
“The storyline is an emotional rollercoaster, filled with memorable characters, impactful narrative choices, and a genuine exploration of humanity during times of extreme adversity.”
“The writing is sharp, blending moments of intense action with heartfelt and emotional storytelling that will keep you invested in their journey.”
“Just lots of dead ends, weird, awkward, and uninteresting characters, a boring story, etc.”
“Too much focus on a boring story and characters.”
“I wasn't that impressed with this game, just a very boring story with very uninteresting characters.”
- replayability154 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating the various difficulty levels, optional missions, and different play styles that encourage multiple playthroughs. However, long unskippable cutscenes and a relatively short main campaign detract from the experience for some, leading to a perception of limited replay value. While some players find enough content and variety to keep them engaged, others feel that the game lacks the depth needed for sustained replayability.
“This flexibility adds a layer of depth and replayability to the combat experience.”
“It also offers more replayability through an optional world map that gives specific targets to take out, making you revisit earlier maps with a slightly different layout and different enemy placement.”
“The game's intense action, well-written story, and excellent replay value make it well worth the price of admission.”
“Simply the ability to skip the way too long cut scenes would have changed my review to positive, but they are long, unskippable, brutal, and totally kill replayability.”
“At 14 hours, the game is rather short and there really isn't much replayability.”
“The fact that it does not have replayability, even though it has 2 endings, but they are not different from each other; one person replaces another.”
- grinding136 mentions
- 2 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 81 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has been widely criticized for being tedious, repetitive, and often frustrating, with many players feeling that it detracts from the overall experience. Players noted that the need to repeatedly engage in enemy encounters, complete unnecessary side missions, and navigate long cutscenes made the gameplay feel drawn out and unenjoyable. While some acknowledged that grinding could be manageable for those seeking 100% completion, the overwhelming sentiment is that it often feels like a chore rather than a rewarding challenge.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“A bit grindy sometimes.”
“Fun for 9 euros - boss battles not tedious.”
“The hub sections and side missions feel tedious and unnecessary.”
“It's so tedious and stressful it's more time consuming than challenging.”
“The end game content is extremely repetitive, requiring you to revisit the same districts over and over again to take out enough commanders to collect enigma codes; it should really just be a case of taking out every commander in the game once rather than farming the same ones over and over again.”
- atmosphere124 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and detailed environments, enhanced by a strong soundtrack and sound design that heightens tension and engagement. While some players feel it lacks the depth and seriousness of its predecessor, many appreciate the dark, gritty aesthetic and the effective portrayal of a dystopian setting. Overall, the game successfully creates a captivating atmosphere that complements its gameplay, though opinions vary on its narrative coherence and character development.
“The art style, combined with the game’s dark and gritty aesthetic, effectively conveys the dystopian atmosphere and enhances the overall impact of the narrative.”
“The atmospheric soundtrack perfectly complements the gameplay, heightening the tension and adding to the immersive experience.”
“From the grim streets of occupied America to the twisted laboratories of the Nazis, each location is meticulously crafted, further enhancing the game's dark and oppressive atmosphere.”
“I guess the authors wanted to create an 'atmosphere' but it simply does not add up.”
“The whole atmosphere of the game is just off.”
“The graphics are just too clean and shiny for this game's atmosphere.”
- character development107 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
Character development in "Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus" receives mixed reviews, with some praising the depth and emotional resonance of main characters like BJ and Anya, while others criticize the supporting cast as shallow and reliant on stereotypes. Many players appreciate the voice acting and the attempts to explore complex themes, but feel that the pacing and execution often detract from meaningful character growth. Overall, while there are standout moments and strong character arcs, the game struggles to maintain consistent depth across its entire cast.
“The voice acting and character development in Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus are exceptional.”
“The story of this game is absolutely fantastic, focusing on BJ's past and relating it to his present was such a good addition of character development.”
“Character development is huge in this game, from NPCs to the protagonist all getting extensive stories.”
“The character development is nowhere near the quality of The New Order or The Old Blood.”
“The main characters you interact with are all cardboard cutouts of political, cultural, and racial stereotypes and never seem to have any further character development beyond your initial meeting.”
“The lack of character development paired with the type of storytelling just doesn't pair up well and leads to characters and NPCs that I just don't really care about.”
- monetization46 mentions
- 7 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 76 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising the absence of microtransactions and loot boxes, which is seen as a positive departure from industry norms. However, players criticize the intrusive DLC advertisements that appear at startup, likening the overall experience to a cash grab despite the game's solid single-player content. While some appreciate the lack of multiplayer and additional monetization tactics, others feel that the game still suffers from poor design choices that detract from its potential.
“It's a great shooter with a great fiction...with no microtransactions.”
“There are no microtransactions in this game, nor other scummy business practices, so it's a 10/10 from me!”
“It's further worthy of mention that there's no crudely tacked-on multiplayer, and absolutely no loot boxes, microtransactions, or scummy pre-order bonuses.”
“You are forced to acknowledge the DLC ads and click 'no, I don't want to buy' before playing.”
“It's nothing more than a greedy cash grab.”
“This was just another quick cash grab with no heart or effort.”
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