Wolfenstein 3D

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Wolfenstein 3D is a classic first-person shooter game that takes place during World War II. As William "B.J." Blazkowicz, players must escape from Castle Wolfenstein while battling Nazis and supernatural enemies. The game is known for its fast-paced action, challenging gameplay, and groundbreaking use of 3D graphics.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

93%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,091 reviews

gameplay38 positive mentions

grinding14 negative mentions

gameplay
202 mentions
19 % positive mentions
75 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Wolfenstein 3D is characterized by its straightforward mechanics, focusing on navigating maze-like levels, shooting enemies (primarily Nazis), and collecting treasures and keys. While it was revolutionary for its time, many players find the gameplay dated and repetitive, lacking the complexity and fluidity of modern first-person shooters. Despite its simplicity, the game remains enjoyable for nostalgia seekers and those interested in the origins of the FPS genre, though it may frustrate players accustomed to contemporary gameplay standards.
- “The gameplay is enjoyable, and although a few minor irritations may be encountered along the way, this is outweighed by the fun of slaughtering hundreds of Nazi enemies.”
- “From its innovative gameplay mechanics to its immersive storyline and stunning graphics, Wolfenstein 3D is a true masterpiece of the gaming industry.”
- “The gameplay holds up well, and despite its simplicity, it remains a fun romp for what it is.”
- “The gameplay is extremely basic, even by the standards of the time.”
- “Unfortunately, the majority of the gameplay in this game involves key hunting in order to progress to higher floors, which can be a tedious task at times, especially on later floors where the maps are extremely big and maze-like.”
- “Repetitive gameplay, poor level design, monotonous environments, and a lack of atmosphere makes for a boring experience.”
graphics
174 mentions
22 % positive mentions
68 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The graphics of Wolfenstein 3D are widely regarded as dated and clunky by modern standards, often described as a "blurry mess" or "primitive," reflecting the game's 1992 origins. While some players appreciate the nostalgic charm of its pixelated visuals, many note that the graphics strain the eyes and lack the refinement of contemporary titles. Despite these shortcomings, the game's historical significance and gameplay still resonate with fans, especially when enhanced through mods like ecwolf.
- “From its innovative gameplay mechanics to its immersive storyline and stunning graphics, Wolfenstein 3D is a true masterpiece of the gaming industry.”
- “Even by today's standards, the game's visuals are impressive, with detailed environments, intricate character models, and a sense of atmosphere that is simply unmatched.”
- “Wolfenstein’s graphics, although dated nowadays, were considered stunning at the time of its release and coupled with the fact that no other PC games on the market looked this good, made it much more appealing to buyers.”
- “The controls are stiff and the graphics strain my eyes.”
- “The graphics are a bit of a blurry mess since this game was meant to be run on those old cathode tube monitors.”
- “While I'll admit it hasn't aged well, especially in the graphics department, I think it should still be played by those who love the genre.”
story
129 mentions
5 % positive mentions
91 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The story of "Wolfenstein 3D" is straightforward and minimal, centering on the character B.J. Blazkowicz, an American soldier tasked with escaping a Nazi castle and defeating Hitler. While the main narrative unfolds across six episodes, with the first three forming the core storyline and the subsequent three serving as prequels, the storytelling is primarily conveyed through brief text summaries at the end of each episode, lacking cutscenes or extensive exposition. Overall, the game's plot is simple and serves mainly as a backdrop for the action-oriented gameplay, which many players find enjoyable despite its lack of depth.
- “The story is simple: you're Blazkowicz, and you fight Nazis.”
- “Surprisingly, the story is told fairly well; although there are no cutscenes, the player is greeted with a text-based ending screen for each episode.”
- “The plot is very basic: you assume the role of an American Polish WWII soldier named William 'B.J.' Blazkowicz who must escape a castle converted into a prison called Castle Wolfenstein that's heavily occupied by SS officers.”
- “The story is very simple and straightforward: kill nazis, get to the next floor, kill more nazis and repeat this until you reach the boss, destroy him and go to the next threat.”
- “The closest you get to a story in this game is a short 1-2 page sample of text at the end of each episode, which summarizes the episode you just completed and previews the next one.”
- “It is fair to say that the story isn’t this game's strongest suit, but what it lacks in story, it makes up for in other aspects.”
music
86 mentions
47 % positive mentions
48 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising the iconic soundtrack composed by Bobby Prince, which adds a nostalgic and atmospheric quality to the gameplay. While some players find the music catchy and memorable, others feel it can be repetitive or dated, detracting from the overall experience. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a highlight, contributing significantly to the game's retro charm despite some technical limitations.
- “The soundtrack is honestly a masterpiece, which was done by composer Bobby Prince, who also did the earlier Doom titles.”
- “The music adds to the game's retro feel and will have you humming along as you mow down Nazis.”
- “The gameplay is solid even to this day, the soundtrack is excellent & very catchy (but doesn't take itself seriously in some instances) and the level design is as simple as it gets but does perfectly the job.”
- “It's got a recognizable soundtrack but like it's just too dated for me.”
- “Unfortunately the music is pretty bad and gets annoying after a short amount of time.”
- “Sound and music were stilted, and at one point the screen shifted sideways.”
humor
25 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by its irreverent and tongue-in-cheek approach, featuring absurd elements like a mech version of Hitler as a boss and goofy dialogue that elicits laughter. Players appreciate the game's lighthearted tone, memorable quotes, and the comedic portrayal of enemies, which contribute to an enjoyable experience that doesn't take itself too seriously. Overall, the humor is a standout aspect, enhancing the gameplay with a blend of satire and playful absurdity.
- “I don't care about the 'cultural significance' of this game; all I care about is that this game features Mecha Hitler as a boss, and that's a little funny.”
- “Sense of humor: the game doesn't take itself too seriously, and you'll encounter plenty of tongue-in-cheek moments and references to pop culture.”
- “The tongue-in-cheek humor, funny voice work ('Mein Leben!' is stuck in my head now), and challenging gameplay made for a fun time.”
grinding
18 mentions
6 % positive mentions
17 % neutral mentions
78 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, often requiring extensive exploration and interaction with the environment to uncover secrets, which can feel monotonous. The maze-like level design and the need for key hunting contribute to a sense of frustration, especially in longer sessions. Many recommend using mods like ecwolf to alleviate some of the grind and enhance the overall experience.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Some of the maps are extremely tedious to navigate due to lots of narrow 1 tile wide passages, or shooting once might alert half (or all) the enemies in the entire level.”
- “Unlike secrets in other games, Wolfenstein also just hides them entirely with nondescript walls, so if you want to uncover everything, you essentially have to just interact with every single surface in the entire level; which is tedious.”
- “Unfortunately, the majority of the gameplay in this game involves key hunting in order to progress to higher floors, which can be a tedious task at times, especially on later floors where the maps are extremely big and maze-like.”
optimization
13 mentions
31 % positive mentions
46 % neutral mentions
23 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is highly praised, with many users reporting excellent performance and no stuttering, especially when using modern source ports like ecwolf. However, the vanilla Steam version is criticized for not being optimized for contemporary systems, requiring manual configuration and knowledge of DOSBox to achieve satisfactory performance. While the game runs smoothly on older hardware with the right setup, it shows its age in certain aspects.
- “My favorite is ecwolf, the game runs smoothly on my old laptop with Windows 7 at full screen resolution and high framerate; besides, you can configure your keyboard better than with the original game engine.”
- “Luckily, though, there are source ports for these games that allow them to run smoothly at 60fps and at higher resolutions.”
- “This game is really good but do not play the vanilla Steam version; it has not been optimized for modern computers.”
- “Even after following some guides to get the performance to a comfortable standard, Wolfenstein 3D shows its age in a lot of places.”
- “Performance: this didn’t even tax computers 20 years ago.”
replayability
13 mentions
38 % positive mentions
38 % neutral mentions
23 % negative mentions
Overall, the game offers high replayability due to its engaging scoring system, numerous secrets, and collectible treasures, encouraging players to revisit levels even after completing the campaign. While some users suggest that mods can enhance the experience, others note that the replay value may diminish for those less motivated by nostalgia or completionist goals. Despite minor issues, many players find the game retains its charm and replayability over time.
- “Replayability: even after you've beaten the game, there's still plenty of reason to keep playing.”
- “Once you've finished the 6-8 hour long campaign, there's plenty of replayability to be had if you enjoy finding secrets, collecting treasure, killing all enemies, and beating a par time for each level (there are 60 in total, including the 6 secret levels).”
- “This is one of those rare games that's aged remarkably well thanks to tight controls, replayable levels with secrets and treasure, and a difficulty level that's fair but also makes it possible for you to be gunned down in 2 seconds if you can't react quickly enough to a mini-gun.”
- “It has an extremely minor crashing problem, and it doesn't have much replay value, but that doesn't stop it from being great.”
- “Replayability: other than the curiosity or nostalgia factor there is a scoring system and secrets to find but it’s unlikely many people would be compelled to keep playing.”
- “It has some old school charm but in my opinion, it requires some mods to modernize it and make it more playable.”
stability
13 mentions
15 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
85 % negative mentions
The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing significant bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, such as getting stuck on levels and issues with sound playback. However, others noted that these glitches are relatively rare and minor, allowing for an overall enjoyable experience. While some users encountered lag and controller support issues, many still found the game to be fun and stable enough to recommend.
- “This is still fun though and runs great.”
- “The true pioneer of the first-person shooter genre may be old, but it is still a lot of fun and relatively bug-free due to its simple programming.”
- “I picked this up on a Black Friday sale for practically free, and when I went to launch it, the game was so buggy and laggy I couldn't get past the first level.”
- “It is quite buggy.”
- “The sound playback seems to be incompatible with modern cards, leading to weird sound glitches. I'm not sure if this is something wrong with my settings or a legitimate incompatibility with either my sound card or playback devices.”
atmosphere
10 mentions
20 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
30 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its colorful visuals, iconic music, and effective sound effects that enhance the overall experience. While some players appreciate the gritty and nostalgic vibe, others find the environments repetitive and lacking depth, leading to a mixed reception regarding the game's immersive qualities. Overall, the combination of detailed graphics and evocative soundtracks contributes to a memorable, albeit sometimes inconsistent, atmospheric experience.
- “Even by today's standards, the game's visuals are impressive, with detailed environments, intricate character models, and a sense of atmosphere that is simply unmatched.”
- “The eerie atmosphere definitely holds up.”
- “While you can play this game via a source port, if you want a more enthralling shooter experience, while also keeping the basic level design, art style, and atmosphere.”
- “Repetitive gameplay, poor level design, monotonous environments, and a lack of atmosphere makes for a boring experience.”
- “Tracks like 'suspense', 'enemy around the corner' and 'into the dungeons' let off a really creepy vibe which create a very eerie atmosphere when you are traveling down a long empty corridor and hear a door open or close in the distance.”
emotional
6 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is described as deeply impactful and draining, with players experiencing a mix of excitement and discomfort. The narrative evokes a sense of nostalgia and reflection, while also challenging players' emotional resilience through its intense themes and gameplay mechanics. Overall, it leaves a lasting impression that resonates on multiple levels.
- “It is the most deep, emotionally draining, twisted game I have ever had the joy to experience.”
- “The difficulty comes with the human body quickly adjusting to excitement and seeking a state of homeostasis (the original emotional state before excitement).”
- “Made me feel nauseous.”
monetization
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
100 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game encourages players to utilize aiming down sights for precision shots, suggesting that the game may offer incentives or rewards for skillful play, potentially tied to in-game purchases or upgrades.