Wolfenstein: Youngblood

45%
Game Brain Score Based on 6,264 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

45%
Audience ScoreBased on 6,264 reviews
gameplay392 positive mentions
story539 negative mentions
  • Fun gameplay, especially in co-op with a friend.
  • Great graphics and level design, capturing a unique 1980s Paris atmosphere.
  • Satisfying gunplay and weapon customization options.
  • Weak story and character development, with annoying dialogue.
  • Repetitive missions and environments, leading to a grindy experience.
  • Technical issues, including crashes and poor AI performance.
  • story3,763 mentions

    The story in "Wolfenstein: Youngblood" has received significant criticism for being weak, shallow, and lacking the depth and emotional resonance of its predecessors. Players note that the game features only a handful of main missions, with much of the gameplay revolving around repetitive side quests that often require backtracking to the same locations, leading to a sense of monotony and frustration. While some appreciate the lighthearted tone and humor of the twin protagonists, many find their dialogue cringeworthy and the overall narrative unsatisfying, resulting in a game that feels more like a grind than a compelling continuation of the Wolfenstein saga.

    • “The story in 'Youngblood' is straightforward and lighter in tone, focusing on Jess and Soph's journey to locate their father while fighting Nazis alongside the French resistance.”
    • “Unlike previous games, which featured deeply personal, emotionally charged narratives, 'Youngblood' offers a more casual and often humorous story centered around the twins' sisterly bond.”
    • “The story is fun, the weapon upgrade and armor upgrade system was fine, not perfect but good enough.”
    • “The story and characters are bland and two-dimensional at best and downright annoying at worst.”
    • “The story is utterly pointless, starting with a stupid premise and providing an even stupider resolution.”
    • “The story is very short and simple, and gameplay after completing the story devolves into replaying the same 8 areas over and over again.”
  • gameplay1,592 mentions

    The gameplay of "Wolfenstein: Youngblood" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while the core shooting mechanics remain satisfying, the introduction of RPG elements and co-op mechanics detracts from the overall experience. Critics highlight issues such as bullet sponge enemies, repetitive mission structures, and a lack of meaningful narrative, which can make the gameplay feel grindy and less engaging compared to previous titles in the series. Despite these criticisms, some players appreciate the cooperative gameplay and the fun of shooting mechanics, suggesting that enjoyment may vary based on individual preferences for gameplay style.

    • “The shooting mechanics are satisfyingly brutal and polished, featuring a wide variety of weapons, upgrades, and abilities to suit your playstyle.”
    • “The cooperative gameplay is the standout feature of Youngblood, allowing you to team up with a friend or an AI companion to tackle the Nazi hordes.”
    • “The gameplay is fun and the interactions that the sisters have, from dialogue to cutscenes, are perfect.”
    • “The gameplay is repetitive, the story is like a pile of shit smeared through a garbage lid, characters are annoying as hell.”
    • “The gameplay loop feels like the first act of a 3-4 act game, and yet offers daily/weekly quests, and microtransactions to bypass the largely pointless endgame grind.”
    • “The gameplay is a massive downgrade from the previous far superior games.”
  • graphics660 mentions

    The graphics in "Wolfenstein: Youngblood" are generally praised for their aesthetic appeal and technical performance, particularly with ray tracing and high-resolution settings, which deliver stunning visuals and smooth gameplay. However, many reviewers note that the graphics do not represent a significant upgrade from previous titles in the franchise, with some character models and cutscenes lacking polish. Overall, while the game showcases impressive environments and artistic design, it suffers from technical issues and a perceived downgrade in certain aspects compared to its predecessors.

    • “I love the art style of this game; a lot of the story missions feature really nice atmospheres and environments. Additionally, there are a few secret areas that look fantastic in this game.”
    • “Visually, 'Youngblood' captures the alternate-history, Nazi-dominated 1980s with a retro-futuristic aesthetic that blends neon lighting, brutalist architecture, and dystopian iconography.”
    • “The graphics are absolutely beautiful, with some jarring graphical glitches that are still not fixed.”
    • “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.”
  • monetization299 mentions

    The monetization in the game has drawn significant criticism, with many reviewers labeling it as a cash grab due to the presence of microtransactions, particularly in a full-priced single-player title. While some argue that the microtransactions are limited to cosmetic items and do not impact gameplay, others feel that the grind required to progress effectively encourages spending real money. Overall, the sentiment is largely negative, with many players expressing frustration over the integration of microtransactions into a franchise they hold dear.

    • “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.”
    • “Yes, there are microtransactions, but you really don't need them.”
    • “This game, like most games these days, seems to be a quick cash grab instead of something great for people to enjoy. It just went too far away from its roots.”
    • “The short campaign and the excessive grind that is obviously targeted at microtransactions make it a hard sell.”
    • “The game is already trash for 30€ and now you're expecting players to use microtransactions?”
  • grinding292 mentions

    The grinding aspect of "Wolfenstein: Youngblood" has received overwhelmingly negative feedback from players, who describe it as tedious and repetitive. Many reviews highlight the need to repeatedly engage with the same enemies and missions to level up, which detracts from the overall enjoyment and pacing of the game. Players express frustration with the lack of meaningful rewards for grinding, as well as the game's reliance on RPG mechanics that feel out of place in the traditionally fast-paced shooter series.

    • “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.”
    • “The sheer amount of additional grinding required for full completion is mind-numbing.”
    • “The game lasts about 15-20 hours and then you have to spend that same amount of time grinding your character in the same locations and replaying the same 6 missions, if you want to get all abilities, weapon upgrades and most importantly achievements.”
    • “Youngblood deviates from an action FPS model that has worked in the series in favor of an incoherent action FPS RPG that is just grindy and lacks depth in anything it tries to achieve.”
  • music199 mentions

    The music in "Wolfenstein: Youngblood" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting a lack of memorable or impactful tracks compared to previous entries in the series. While some praise the 1980s-inspired soundtrack and collectible cassette tapes, others criticize the game's ambient music for being forgettable or barely present during gameplay, detracting from the overall experience. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a missed opportunity to enhance the game's atmosphere, with many players suggesting that it fails to capture the intensity and excitement expected from a Wolfenstein title.

    • “The soundtrack features a mix of synth-heavy tracks that capture the 1980s vibe.”
    • “The sound effects and soundtrack complement the gameplay perfectly, intensifying the adrenaline-pumping moments and creating a truly immersive auditory experience.”
    • “The music certainly sets the time period of Germany in the 1980s.”
    • “The only bad thing about this game was the lame music that you could barely hear for most of the game.”
    • “Tl;dr the game is fun, but the lack of music in a game like this makes it shockingly less enjoyable.”
    • “The music direction seemed okay at first, but it quickly devolved into the same generic, electronic loop over and over until it drove me insane and I had to turn it off.”
  • humor193 mentions

    The humor in "Youngblood" is a divisive aspect, with some players appreciating the lighthearted, goofy banter between the twin protagonists, while others find it cringeworthy and forced. Many reviews highlight the game's attempt at 80s-style humor, which can lead to both genuine laughs and moments that fall flat, often described as childish or annoying. Overall, the humor is seen as a departure from the more serious tone of previous "Wolfenstein" titles, resulting in a mix of amusing and off-putting moments that may appeal to a specific audience.

    • “The dialogue between the twins is often humorous, and the soundtrack features a mix of synth-heavy tracks that capture the 1980s vibe.”
    • “I also really enjoy the girls' personalities and their funny banter.”
    • “The sisters are pretty funny at first, especially when you remember that they are rednecks literally raised from birth to kill nazis, just unfortunately never switched to real guns from nerf guns.”
    • “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.”
  • optimization168 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its smooth performance and impressive graphics, even on lower-end hardware. However, many others have reported significant performance issues, including stuttering, frame rate drops, and crashes, particularly on higher settings. Overall, while some users experience excellent optimization, others face frustrating technical problems that detract from the gameplay experience.

    • “The game is very well optimized, looks amazing, runs smooth and has aged very well!”
    • “Graphics & performance: the game looks gorgeous and it runs ridiculously well.”
    • “The optimization is really good, letting me sit at a constant 100+ fps with ultra settings, ray tracing, and DLSS set to performance.”
    • “Youngblood suffers from numerous bugs, glitches, and optimization issues that detract from the overall experience.”
    • “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.”
  • stability161 mentions

    The stability of the game has been widely criticized, with numerous players reporting persistent bugs, glitches, and crashes, particularly during co-op play and boss fights. While some users experienced smooth gameplay without major issues, the overall consensus indicates that the game is plagued by technical problems that significantly detract from the experience. Many reviews suggest that the game's stability issues remain largely unaddressed since its release, leading to frustration among players.

    • “It runs great on the highest graphics settings even on a mid-range GPU and still looks very good.”
    • “Runs great, looks great... not seeing any issues yet.”
    • “Relatively bug-free at launch, so well done Arkane boys and girls in Sweden!”
    • “Youngblood suffers from numerous bugs, glitches, and optimization issues that detract from the overall experience.”
    • “The game is plagued with an array of bugs that range from graphical glitches to mechanical malfunctions, each serving to disrupt the gameplay experience in the most frustrating ways imaginable.”
    • “This game is a buggy mess.”
  • atmosphere61 mentions

    The atmosphere in the latest installment of the Wolfenstein series has received mixed reviews, with many players noting a significant departure from the immersive and oppressive environments of previous games. While some appreciate the vibrant art style and detailed level design, others feel that the game lacks the depth and storytelling that characterized earlier titles, resulting in a lighter, less engaging atmosphere. Overall, the game's setting and visual elements are praised, but many fans express disappointment over the diminished sense of atmosphere and narrative cohesion.

    • “The atmospheric design, including lighting and sound effects, successfully immerses players in the world of resistance and rebellion.”
    • “From the iconic landmarks to the gritty underground hideouts, every location feels alive and contributes to the game's atmosphere.”
    • “Paris is depicted as a heavily militarized city, with checkpoints, propaganda, and Nazi patrols creating a convincingly oppressive atmosphere.”
    • “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.”
  • replayability53 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating the RPG elements and character customization that encourage multiple playthroughs, while others criticize the tedious leveling system and repetitive side missions that detract from the experience. Although there are opportunities for co-op play and daily challenges, many feel that the overall design and pacing limit the game's long-term appeal. Ultimately, while some find replay value in the content and mechanics, others see it as lacking depth and engaging gameplay.

    • “The ability to customize your character and experiment with different playstyles further enhances the replay value, making each playthrough feel fresh and unique.”
    • “Even after completing the story, there is a lot of replay value and it will keep you coming back for more.”
    • “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.”
    • “This artificial gating of content only serves to pad out the game's length and artificially extend its lifespan, rather than adding depth or replay value.”
    • “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; the story isn't engaging, gunplay isn't engaging, leveling isn't engaging, and both sisters seem identical, so there's no replayability there.”
  • character development38 mentions

    Character development in the game has been widely criticized, with many reviewers noting a significant lack of depth and engagement for the protagonists and supporting characters. Most feedback highlights that aside from a brief introduction in the opening cutscene, there is virtually no character growth or meaningful narrative, leaving players feeling disconnected and uninterested in the characters' journeys. Overall, the writing and character design are described as subpar, contributing to a bland and unsatisfying experience.

    • “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.”
    • “There is no character development for anyone and in the end you end up being annoyed and not caring.”
    • “The only character development in the game is the very first cutscene introducing the daughters and that's it.”
    • “The girls have no character development whatsoever, and after the entire game I still know nothing about who they are as members of the Wolfenstein universe, or as young adults in a divided world.”
  • emotional36 mentions

    The emotional aspect of "Youngblood" has been widely criticized for its lack of depth and resonance compared to previous entries in the Wolfenstein series. While the game features a lighthearted narrative centered on the twin sisters' relationship, it fails to evoke the emotional investment that fans expect, resulting in a disjointed and underwhelming experience. Despite some moments of charm and effective voice acting, the overall sentiment is disappointment over the absence of a compelling story and emotional connection.

    • “The voice acting is top-notch, bringing the characters to life with convincing performances and emotional depth.”
    • “If anything by the end of the BJ series, we see a man who is shattered under the sheer weight of emotional trauma.”
    • “The humor is crude at times and misplaced, but there are genuinely funny and heartfelt moments in this game and I think both actresses played a good part of silly southern teenagers.”
    • “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
15hAverage play time
4-22hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 75 analyzed playthroughs

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