Wolfenstein: Youngblood

Supercharged, righteous co-op shooter, full of girl-power

55%Game Brain Score

gameplay, graphics

story, grinding

44% User Score Based on 6,868 reviews

Critic Score 65%Based on 59 reviews

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About

Wolfenstein: Youngblood is a single player and multiplayer shooter game with warfare and science fiction themes. It was developed by Arkane Studios and was released on July 25, 2019. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and neutral reviews from players.

"Wolfenstein: Youngblood" is a science fiction shooter game that offers both single-player and co-op gameplay, where players assume the role of BJ Blazkowicz's twin daughters on a mission to find their missing father in Nazi-occupied Paris. The game features open-ended gameplay with leveling, exploration, and a variety of customizable weapons and abilities. However, it is known to have grinding, bugs, and aggressive monetization strategies. Overall, it offers a unique atmosphere, humor, and high replayability.

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44%

Audience ScoreBased on 6,868 reviews

gameplay440 positive mentions

story590 negative mentions

The game features enjoyable co-op gameplay, making it fun to play with friends.
The gunplay is satisfying, with a variety of weapons and customization options.
The graphics and level design are visually appealing, capturing a unique retro-futuristic aesthetic.

The story is weak and lacks depth, with annoying characters and repetitive dialogue.
The RPG mechanics and enemy health bars lead to frustrating gameplay, making enemies feel like bullet sponges.
The checkpoint system is poorly designed, often forcing players to replay long sections after dying or crashing.

story
4,107 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
73%
14%
The story in "Wolfenstein: Youngblood" has received significant criticism for being weak, shallow, and lacking the depth and emotional resonance of its predecessors. Many players noted that the game feels more like a series of repetitive side missions with minimal narrative progression, often requiring players to grind for levels before accessing main story missions, which detracts from the overall experience. While some appreciated the humor and character dynamics between the twin protagonists, the general consensus is that the story fails to deliver a compelling or engaging plot, making it a disappointing entry in the Wolfenstein franchise.
- “The story carries on the same traditions as the previous games of stopping nazis while they try and implement nefarious plans but pulls shy of some of the 'over the top' storylines of New Colossus, grounding it a bit better.”
- “The storyline may not be as deep as some may wish, but it’s packed with humor and enough nazi-punching goodness to keep you entertained for hours.”
- “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 extremely weak and lacks the emotional depth of previous Wolfenstein titles.”
- “The main story is so short that I doubt it is the main story.”
- “The story is practically non-existent; it felt like at the final leg of the game the devs reminded themselves that they have a story to tell and shoved in a few cutscenes and story beats, except nothing feels satisfying or earned.”
gameplay
1,778 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
61%
14%
The gameplay of "Wolfenstein: Youngblood" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting a significant departure from the traditional mechanics of previous titles in the series. While the gunplay remains satisfying and the graphics are praised, the introduction of RPG elements, bullet sponge enemies, and a focus on co-op gameplay have led to frustrations regarding pacing and mission design, often resulting in repetitive and grindy experiences. Overall, the game is seen as fun in short bursts, particularly in co-op, but many feel it lacks the depth and cohesion that characterized earlier entries in the franchise.
- “The gameplay retains the series’ hallmark fast-paced gunplay, with an arsenal that feels satisfying and impactful.”
- “The mechanics felt well-rounded and fun, fluid enough to make you feel in the groove with enough areas to explore in the environments to give the place a more realistic feel.”
- “The gameplay is fun, the story is alright but the sisters are obnoxious.”
- “Gameplay is bad, story is non-existent, and it abandons everything that makes the previous games good.”
- “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 total mess and if you are expecting gameplay similar to anything that was in the previous wolfenstein games, be ready to be disappointed.”
graphics
711 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
53%
43%
4%
The graphics in "Wolfenstein: Youngblood" receive mixed reviews, with many praising the game's stunning visuals and detailed environments, particularly when utilizing ray tracing. However, some players note that the graphics can feel lifeless or lack the polish of previous titles in the series, and there are reports of technical issues such as frame drops and graphical glitches. Overall, while the aesthetic and design are often highlighted as strong points, they are sometimes overshadowed by performance problems and a perceived downgrade from earlier entries.
- “The graphics are amazing, it runs very smooth on highest settings, at least on my system!”
- “The graphics and scenery come to life.”
- “The graphics are stunning.”
- “The graphics are outdated and ugly, like a human.”
- “The graphics somehow took a hit.”
- “The graphics are barely an improvement over the previous game.”
grinding
335 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
3%
96%
The grinding aspect of "Wolfenstein: Youngblood" has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with players describing the gameplay as excessively tedious and repetitive. Many reviews highlight the need for constant grinding to level up and progress, often requiring players to revisit the same areas and defeat bullet-sponge enemies, which detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game. While some players appreciate the cooperative elements and gunplay, the grind-heavy mechanics and lack of meaningful rewards have led to frustration and disappointment among the community.
- “It's true: there is no reason at all to keep on playing after ending the game, which is perfectly balanced to be concluded with no grinding at all at maximum difficulty when you reach level 50.”
- “It's not too grindy if you make sure not to skip too much loot around you.”
- “Your equipment will not work on higher level enemies; however, there is no grinding for weapons that have better stats or special abilities.”
- “The progression system feels grindy, and missions lack variety or meaningful rewards.”
- “Wolfenstein: Youngblood takes everything fun about Wolfenstein, adds grindy RPG mechanics, repetitive missions, and calls it progress.”
- “The sheer amount of additional grinding required for full completion is mind-numbing.”
monetization
313 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
4%
75%
21%
The monetization aspect of the game has drawn significant criticism, with many reviewers labeling it a "cash grab" due to the presence of numerous microtransactions, particularly for cosmetic items and upgrades. While some players noted that these microtransactions are not essential for gameplay progression, the overall sentiment is that their inclusion detracts from the experience and feels exploitative, especially in a full-priced title. Many fans of the franchise express disappointment that the game prioritizes monetization over the core elements that made previous entries enjoyable.
- “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 microtransactions, but they are entirely cosmetic, so I don't much mind them.”
- “Despite being a Bethesda title with microtransactions, it makes up for it with decent graphics, refined gunplay, and the really fast and fluent gameplay.”
- “This feels like a cash grab by the developers.”
- “The game is now a skill tree and leveling up based RPG with microtransactions, skins, always online story modes, and has completely done away with the real life intuitions built upon by the last several games of how to interact with levels and enemies.”
- “It is an unplayably broken mess of an attempt to cash in on one of their well-known and historically good franchises, which uses the brand name to suck players in, then delivers nothing of the content they would expect, and has the audacity to nickel and dime them with microtransactions the whole way through.”
humor
212 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
92%
8%
The humor in "Youngblood" is a mixed bag, with many players finding the banter between the twin protagonists to be both cringeworthy and amusing, often likening it to juvenile antics reminiscent of teenage siblings. While some appreciate the lighthearted, goofy tone and the absurdity of the situations, others criticize the humor as forced and lacking the depth of previous entries in the series. Overall, the game offers a blend of silly moments and awkward dialogue that can be entertaining, especially in a co-op setting, but may not resonate with all fans of the franchise.
- “One silly thing is you can purchase (with in-game money) suppressors for some guns which would supplement stealth gameplay...except enemies have health bars and there really isn't a one-hit kill with pistols for example...so it just turned into 'shoot them a lot before their alert meter goes up' which we found hilarious and ridiculous.”
- “While the game diverges from the solo narrative intensity of previous entries, it maintains the series’ signature blend of brutal combat and dark humor, offering a unique experience that balances accessibility with depth.”
- “The dialogue between the twins is often humorous, and the soundtrack features a mix of synth-heavy tracks that capture the 1980s vibe.”
- “Their dialogue constantly bounces between 'cringey banter' and 'is this supposed to be funny?' territory.”
- “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.”
music
203 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
50%
8%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising the high production quality and the nostalgic 1980s vibe, particularly from collectible cassettes featuring catchy tracks. However, many players noted a significant lack of in-game music during gameplay, which detracted from the overall experience, leading to feelings of dullness and forgettability. While the soundtrack has its highlights, particularly in cutscenes and collectibles, the absence of a consistent and engaging score during combat and exploration has left many players disappointed.
- “I've always enjoyed Wolfenstein for what it does best: tight, fast-paced, story-driven FPS action with a clear identity and absolutely marvelous OST by the one and only Mick Gordon while butchering Nazi scum.”
- “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 music in the game is dull and forgettable.”
- “The only bad thing about this game was the lame music that you could barely hear for most of the game.”
- “The game suffers from the lack of a proper soundtrack and Mick Gordon's absence really shows.”
optimization
186 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
40%
19%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its performance on high-end and mid-range systems, reporting smooth gameplay and stable frame rates. However, some users have experienced significant performance issues, including stuttering and frame drops, particularly on lower-end hardware or due to connectivity problems. Overall, while the game showcases impressive graphics and optimization for many, it also suffers from notable bugs and inconsistent performance for others.
- “The id Tech engine shines once again, and the title performs excellently, even on mid-range hardware, offering superb optimization and fluid gameplay.”
- “It runs super smooth, looks very sharp, doesn't put almost any real stress on my PC (GPU usage around 40-44%), and overall it's just a very well optimized game.”
- “The game is very well optimized, looks amazing, runs smooth and has aged very well!”
- “Even worse, the cutscene texture quality feels poorly optimized and inconsistent.”
- “Youngblood suffers from numerous bugs, glitches, and optimization issues that detract from the overall experience.”
- “This game is extremely buggy and horribly optimized.”
stability
178 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
90%
The stability of the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many players reporting frequent crashes, game-breaking glitches, and frustrating bugs that disrupt gameplay. While some users experienced smooth performance without major issues, the consensus indicates that the game is plagued by technical problems, particularly in co-op mode, making it difficult to recommend for those seeking a stable experience. Overall, the game's stability issues significantly detract from its potential enjoyment.
- “The game is technically fine, runs great, and I haven't had a single crash.”
- “It runs great on my machine and I did honestly have fun playing it.”
- “Relatively bug-free at launch, so well done Arkane boys and girls in Sweden!”
- “Buggy as hell, crashes often, the main characters were cringey, the story was awful, the armor mechanic made no sense.”
- “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.”
atmosphere
75 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
51%
9%
The atmosphere of the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising its immersive environments, sound design, and stylistic choices that create a distinctive setting, while others feel it lacks the depth and intensity of previous titles in the franchise. Many players appreciate the attention to detail and the gritty, dystopian elements, but some criticize the tonal shifts and character portrayals that detract from the overall experience. Overall, while the game has its atmospheric strengths, it is often seen as a departure from the iconic atmosphere that defined earlier installments.
- “The atmospheric design, including lighting and sound effects, successfully immerses players in the world of resistance and rebellion.”
- “The world looks fantastic, and the collectibles — like music tapes and various bits of junk — really capture the atmosphere of life under these grim conditions.”
- “From the iconic landmarks to the gritty underground hideouts, every location feels alive and contributes to the game's atmosphere.”
- “The game feels like a downgrade in every way, lacking the depth, story, and atmosphere that made the classic Wolfenstein titles legendary.”
- “But the atmosphere and soul of the game is completely vanished.”
- “There's almost no background noise anywhere to build atmosphere; everything feels dead and solely focused on the never-ending hordes of enemies and drones that keep spawning.”
replayability
61 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
69%
8%
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating the variety of playstyles, side missions, and daily challenges that encourage multiple playthroughs, while others criticize the lack of engaging content and tedious leveling systems that diminish the overall experience. Although there are elements like character customization and co-op gameplay that enhance replay value, many reviewers feel that the game falls short compared to previous entries in the series, leading to a general consensus of limited replayability. Overall, while some find enjoyment in the replay aspects, others see them as repetitive and lacking depth.
- “Whether opting for stealthy takedowns or full-frontal assaults, the game supports multiple approaches, adding replayability and tactical variety.”
- “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 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.”
- “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.”
- “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, both sisters seem identical so there's no replayability there.”
emotional
47 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
87%
13%
The emotional aspect of the game has been widely criticized, with many reviewers noting a significant lack of depth and resonance compared to previous titles in the Wolfenstein series. While the relationship between the twin sisters is occasionally highlighted as charming, the overall narrative is described as weak, disjointed, and lacking the impactful storytelling that fans expect. Many players expressed disappointment over the game's failure to evoke emotional investment, leading to a sense of detachment from the characters and their journeys.
- “The voice acting is top-notch, bringing the characters to life with convincing performances and emotional depth.”
- “The twins' relationship is really wholesome, sweet, and fun.”
- “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.”
character development
43 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
39%
42%
Character development in the game has been widely criticized, with many reviewers noting a significant lack of depth and meaningful progression for the characters, particularly the protagonists. The narrative is described as weak and episodic, failing to engage players emotionally or provide a compelling backstory, resulting in characters that feel stereotypical and underdeveloped. Overall, the game is seen as a disappointment in terms of writing and character arcs, especially when compared to previous entries in the franchise.
- “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.”
- “Character development: while the two protagonists are 'twins', every part of them is different.”
- “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.”
- “The story is much weaker than the previous entries, and character development is lacking.”
- “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.”

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65%Critics’ scoreBased on 59 critic reviews

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9h Median play time

16h Average play time

4-27h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 79 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Wolfenstein: Youngblood is a shooter game with warfare and science fiction themes.

Wolfenstein: Youngblood is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Steam Deck and others.

On average players spend around 16 hours playing Wolfenstein: Youngblood.

Wolfenstein: Youngblood was released on July 25, 2019.

Wolfenstein: Youngblood was developed by Arkane Studios.

Wolfenstein: Youngblood has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its story.

Wolfenstein: Youngblood is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include Far Cry New Dawn, Borderlands 3, RAGE 2, Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus, Far Cry 6 and others.

Wolfenstein: Youngblood

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