Wolfenstein: Youngblood

55%
Game Brain Score Based on 5,277 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Wolfenstein: Youngblood Game Cover
Supercharged, righteous co-op shooter, full of girl-power
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In Wolfenstein: Youngblood, players control BJ Blazkowicz's daughters, Jess and Soph, in a 1980s Paris overrun by Nazis. This cooperative first-person shooter allows you to battle enemies, upgrade weapons, and uncover your father's mysterious past. Teamwork and strategy are essential to defeat the formidable Nazi regime, whether playing solo or with a friend.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Cloud
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
  • Xbox Game Pass
  • x_box_cloud_gaming
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

55%
Audience ScoreBased on 5,277 reviews
gameplay340 positive mentions
story463 negative mentions
  • Fun co-op gameplay with a friend
  • Great graphics and level design
  • Satisfying gunplay and weapon customization
  • Repetitive missions and environments
  • Weak story and character development
  • Frequent crashes and technical issues
  • story3,198 mentions

    The story of "Wolfenstein: Youngblood" has received significant criticism for being shallow and lacking depth compared to its predecessors. Players noted that the main narrative is short, consisting of only a few missions, and is often overshadowed by repetitive side quests that feel disconnected from the overall plot. The characters, particularly the twin daughters of BJ Blazkowicz, are described as annoying and cringeworthy, detracting from the game's potential for a compelling story. Overall, while some players found enjoyment in the gameplay, many felt disappointed by the story's execution and its departure from the rich narratives of earlier titles in the series.

    • “The concept of Blazkowicz's daughters being the main characters is fitting in order to continue the story of Wolfenstein. The futuristic design choice is a bit weird but fitting, and the sisters' dynamics are very likable and well written.”
    • “The story is interesting enough to keep you playing, but it doesn't really make you care about any of the characters.”
    • “The story is quite decent as well, not as good as New Order or New Colossus, but still quite enjoyable.”
    • “The overarching plot is not that interesting and goes by so quickly it never gets the chance to be developed and become interesting.”
    • “The true essence of the campaign is confined to the opening and closing missions, leaving the remainder of the experience feeling distressingly hollow.”
    • “The story is atrocious, the dialogue is painful, the main characters are extremely obnoxious and the side characters are... there are around 3 of them, and they're all extremely subpar!”
  • gameplay1,340 mentions

    The gameplay of "Wolfenstein: Youngblood" has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing disappointment over the introduction of RPG mechanics and bullet sponge enemies that detract from the fast-paced action typical of the series. While some appreciate the cooperative gameplay and the satisfying gun mechanics, others find the repetitive quests and forced co-op elements frustrating, leading to a less engaging experience compared to previous titles. Overall, the game is seen as a departure from the franchise's roots, with a focus on grinding and leveling that may not resonate with long-time fans.

    • “I found the sisterly banter refreshing, the '80s Paris backdrop was interesting, and both the combat mechanics and level design were above average.”
    • “The gameplay is the same as Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus, so the foundation of the gameplay is excellent.”
    • “The gameplay is engaging, fun to play with a friend, and it's got two kick-ass female heroes.”
    • “The gameplay is a total mess and if you are expecting gameplay similar to anything that was in the previous wolfenstein games, be ready to be disappointed.”
    • “The gameplay is just boring with enemies having way too much health.”
    • “The gameplay loop is incredibly repetitive, but the overall story is uninspired and lacking in any actual storytelling.”
  • graphics566 mentions

    The graphics in "Wolfenstein: Youngblood" receive a mixed reception, with many players praising the stunning visuals, smooth performance, and impressive ray tracing capabilities, particularly on high-end hardware. However, some reviewers note that the character models and certain graphical elements appear dated or inconsistent compared to previous titles in the series, leading to a perception that the graphics, while good, do not represent a significant advancement. Overall, the game's aesthetic and environmental design are highlighted as strong points, despite some technical glitches and a lack of innovation in character visuals.

    • “The graphics are amazing, it runs very smooth on highest settings, at least on my system!”
    • “The graphics are highly detailed and run smoothly on mid-range hardware.”
    • “The graphics are beautiful and well optimized, and balance.”
    • “The graphics somehow took a hit.”
    • “Technical issues and dated graphics added to the disappointment.”
    • “The graphics are barely an improvement over the previous game.”
  • monetization281 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has drawn significant criticism, with many players expressing frustration over the presence of microtransactions in a full-priced title. While some argue that these transactions are limited to cosmetic items and can be ignored, others feel that the grind required to progress effectively encourages spending real money, making it feel like a cash grab. Overall, the implementation of microtransactions has left a sour taste for many, overshadowing the game's potential and leading to concerns about the direction of the franchise.

    • “The only microtransactions in the game are ones that give you cosmetic items; you can literally progress entirely through the game without spending a single cent on top of the original purchase price.”
    • “There are also barely any microtransactions which could come in your way, so you don't have to worry about that.”
    • “The microtransactions are cosmetic, so ignoring that negative...”
    • “The short campaign, and the excessive grind that is obviously targeted on microtransactions make it a hard sell.”
    • “This game was designed around microtransactions.”
    • “The game is basically just a cash grab by Bethesda, no doubt, and I wouldn't recommend anyone purchase it.”
  • grinding249 mentions

    The grinding aspect of "Wolfenstein: Youngblood" has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with players describing it as tedious, repetitive, and often frustrating. Many reviews highlight the need to repeatedly engage with the same enemies and missions to level up, which detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game. While some players found the gunplay enjoyable, the excessive grinding for upgrades and achievements has led to a perception of the game as a grindy looter shooter lacking meaningful rewards or progression.

    • “It's not too grindy if you make sure not to skip too much loot around you.”
    • “Overall, I really loved the gameplay; there is little to no grinding on the weapons part since you can get most of them pretty early in the game, which was a bit disappointing.”
    • “Your equipment will not work on higher level enemies; however, there is no grinding for weapons that have better stats or special abilities.”
    • “It's a grindy looter shooter wearing the skin of what came before it.”
    • “The sheer amount of additional grinding required for full completion is mind-numbing.”
    • “The game is nice, but the beginning is tedious, as enemies are too much of some bullet sponges.”
  • music168 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising the nostalgic 1980s soundtrack and its fitting atmosphere, while others criticize the lack of music during gameplay, which detracts from the overall experience. Some players enjoyed the collectible cassettes featuring catchy tunes, but noted that the in-game music often felt absent or repetitive, leading to a less immersive experience. Overall, while the soundtrack has its highlights, the inconsistent implementation and occasional bugs have left players wanting more.

    • “To top off the new blend of gameplay and characters, we are rewarded with a true 1980's soundtrack.”
    • “The music cassettes you can find are both accurate to the time period and really catchy.”
    • “The overall gunplay and gameplay feel is very much like the other games, the visuals are just like 2 but nicer (and with RTX!) and the soundtrack is still great too.”
    • “Almost no music during combat; it's made boring.”
    • “The lack of music in a game like this makes it shockingly less enjoyable.”
    • “The soundtrack is so boring and the first boss battle just had generic 'action' music.”
  • humor160 mentions

    The humor in the game is polarizing, with some players finding the banter between the protagonists amusing and reminiscent of goofy teenage antics, while others criticize it as forced, cringeworthy, and lacking the cleverness of previous installments. Many appreciate the lighthearted tone and comedic moments, particularly in the context of the absurdity of the setting, but others feel that the humor often falls flat or detracts from the overall experience. Overall, the game's attempt at humor is seen as a mixed bag, appealing to some while alienating others.

    • “I also really enjoy the girls' personalities and their funny banter.”
    • “The protagonists are just three annoying kids who think they are very funny and the antagonists are just meh.”
    • “The voice acting between the sisters made me laugh as they are typical goofball teenagers that act like boys, vomiting and swearing as they go along.”
    • “The game offers some of the most horribly unfunny and cringe characters I've seen in a while.”
    • “It has unbearable, painfully unfunny, and repetitive dialogue.”
    • “Bad sit-com that's not funny at all.”
  • optimization150 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its ability to run smoothly on various hardware configurations, including lower-end systems, while others report significant performance issues such as stuttering, crashes, and inconsistent frame rates. Some players experienced excellent performance at high settings, while others struggled with low frame rates and bugs, indicating that optimization may vary widely depending on individual setups. Overall, while the graphics are often described as impressive, the game's optimization appears to be inconsistent, leading to a divided player experience.

    • “The game is very well optimized and I appreciate that!”
    • “The graphics are gorgeous and well optimized and balanced.”
    • “Performance is stellar, easily maxed out at QHD with a simple i5 and a 1070 ti @60fps+.”
    • “Pathetic performance with only 30 fps, even lower from time to time.”
    • “The bottom line is that you shouldn't have to spend time tuning your system to get the game to run properly, but as with most newer titles, I almost think it's a must because the code and optimization just isn't there.”
    • “This game is extremely buggy and horribly optimized.”
  • stability139 mentions

    The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting frequent bugs, glitches, and crashes, particularly during co-op play and boss fights. While some users experienced smooth performance without significant issues, the overall consensus highlights a frustrating level of instability that detracts from the gameplay experience. Despite occasional praise for graphics and gameplay, the pervasive technical problems have led to a general perception of the game as a "buggy mess."

    • “It runs great on my machine and I did honestly have fun playing it.”
    • “Runs great, looks great... not seeing any issues yet.”
    • “Relatively bug free at launch so well done Arkane boys and girls in Sweden!”
    • “This game is a buggy mess.”
    • “Despite some of the minor glitches already mentioned in some reviews, I've actually had a great experience playing this co-op.”
    • “The game is very buggy, the dialogues and characters are cringe at most, enemies respawn in front of your face and it all feels like Wolfenstein in bad.”
  • atmosphere50 mentions

    The atmosphere in the Wolfenstein series is generally praised for its immersive design, captivating environments, and strong thematic elements, particularly in earlier titles. However, recent entries like Youngblood and The New Colossus have received mixed reviews, with some players feeling that the atmosphere has diminished due to repetitive gameplay, clumsy character portrayals, and a shift towards a lighter tone. While the visuals and sound design remain commendable, many fans express nostalgia for the richer, more intense atmospheres of the earlier games.

    • “The atmospheric design, including lighting and sound effects, successfully immerses players in the world of resistance and rebellion.”
    • “Gameplay feels awesome and polished, atmosphere is supreme (nice 80s Cold War Germany vibe going on).”
    • “The atmosphere is where the game shines.”
    • “No atmosphere, gunplay is horrible, and so much grinding.”
    • “But the atmosphere and soul of the game is completely vanished.”
    • “This game doesn't capture the kind of atmosphere or narrative that both developers are so well known for.”
  • replayability44 mentions

    The reviews on replayability are mixed, with some players praising the RPG elements, side missions, and evolving environments that encourage multiple playthroughs, while others criticize the lack of engaging content and repetitive missions that diminish replay value. Many noted that the game offers a decent amount of content, but the overall experience can feel stale after the initial playthrough. Ultimately, while some find replayability through co-op play and character upgrades, others feel it falls short compared to previous titles in the series.

    • “The open-endedness gives it a lot of replayability.”
    • “They took the Wolfenstein engine, added two-player co-op, and made the game infinitely replayable by having a few areas repopulate RPG-style, and added RPG-like elements to the game.”
    • “The game reuses multiple areas but makes them evolve as the player and the story progress - new enemies, new powers, and changes to the area in response to plot elements mean that it keeps remaining fresh and challenging as you go, and the specific mission maps being replayable means there's plenty of potential for combat.”
    • “I don't see a lot of replay value nor do I see any need to play all the side missions.”
    • “The end game content consists of daily and weekly challenges that are pretty unfun, and 6 replayable missions from the story that are boring to replay because everything feels the exact same.”
    • “Overall as a fan of the series this one is the weakest by far, story isn't engaging, gunplay isn't engaging, leveling isn't engaging, both sisters seem identical so there's no replayability there.”
  • character development33 mentions

    Character development in the game is widely criticized, with many reviewers noting a complete lack of growth or depth for the characters, particularly the protagonists. The initial cutscene is highlighted as the only moment of meaningful development, after which players feel disconnected and uninterested in the characters' journeys. Overall, the game is described as having bland character design and a weak narrative, failing to engage players emotionally.

    • “The mix of Arkane's stealth and level design, combined with MachineGames' superb writing and character development, kept the story very satisfying as I was playing through, with the exact amount of cheese that I expect from a Wolfenstein game.”
    • “I really enjoyed New Order and Old Blood, finding both games to have really fun gameplay and stealth mechanics and excellent character development.”
    • “So far I'm not even a quarter of the way done with the game and I've noticed some great character development, animations, and voice acting.”
    • “Their obnoxious personalities overshadow any potential for meaningful character development, making them more irritating than endearing.”
    • “There is no character development for anyone and in the end you end up being annoyed and not caring.”
    • “The writers basically left all the character development in the first cinematic of the game... the rest of the game seems written by one of the game programmers or something.”
  • emotional24 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game has been widely criticized, with many reviewers noting a lack of depth and connection to the characters, particularly in comparison to previous titles in the series. While some found moments of humor and a sweet relationship between the twin sisters, the overall narrative was deemed boring and emotionally unengaging, leaving players feeling disconnected and uninterested in the story. The inconsistency in character portrayal further detracted from any potential emotional investment, leading to a generally negative reception regarding the game's emotional impact.

    • “The twins' relationship is really wholesome, sweet, and fun.”
    • “You can give each other armor by throwing around emotionally supportive endorsements.”
    • “It made you care about the characters and had an emotional depth to everything that was going on.”
    • “Boring story, terrible level design that'll have you constantly frustrated and lost, and grindy gameplay that gets old quick.”
    • “This is basically Wolfenstein II but with less interesting characters, a boring storyline, and an exact copy/paste of II's combat.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

65% average critic score

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Play time

9hMedian play time
16hAverage play time
4-27hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 64 analyzed playthroughs

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