wolfenstein 3d game review
1992. Almost a year and a half before the release of Doom, the id-software studio developed the game considered today as the father of "first person shooters". Adapted from the context of Castle Wolfenstein, created by Muze Software in 1981, Wolfenstein 3D propels us back into the heart of a Nazi castle, with the sole mission of leaving it alive. The big difference and that this time we will experience the adventure through the eyes of its hero. Make way for the first shooter in subjective view!Wolfenstein immerses us in the shoes of soldier Blazkowicz, captured by the Nazis and who must then do everything possible to escape from a gigantic mansion. The story, divided into six stages, remains very concise and serves as a pretext for exploring the levels of the game. The goal is simply to go from one point to another while zigouillant in joy and good humor the horde Nazi soldiers who are sure to block your way. The scenario will still offer us the supreme honor to end the life of the Führer.
The Nazi video games imagined by the id-software team have a dubious taste in architecture. Indeed, if the castle you are surveying, with blue or gray walls, is decorated with vases, sculptures, it is also lined with fabrics woven from swastikas and portraits to the glory of Adolf Hitler. There are even corpses lying on the ground or hanging from the ceiling. All this guarantees a most pleasant welcome for the distinguished guest that you are. The castle is designed as a windowless labyrinth which, in addition to causing crises of claustrophobia, will prompt you to stray regularly looking for a key to open a door at the other end of the map. This point of detail is specific to the genre of FPS of this time and many games will follow this example in the construction of their levels (such as Rise of The Triad or of course Doom). In Wolfenstein 3D, you won't even have a map to find your way around.
All movements are carried out via the keyboard. Note that in this title, it is impossible to look up or towards one's feet and that a rotation on oneself requires five small seconds of patience. Suffice to say that you will have to redouble your anticipation to overcome your enemies and not to get killed by a bullet lodged between the shoulder blades. Fortunately, you are allowed to use the straff, thanks to a combination of keys. The enemies are moved by a basic action / reaction type AI (I see you, I attack you) and do not try to take cover or take you by surprise. Here, the number dominates and the successive waves will often be right for you.
The bestiary is provided. The Nazi soldiers who are the basic targets, we also find German shepherds jumping at your throat, mutant creatures with submachine guns integrated in the chest and ghosts of Hitler fireball launchers. Each of these creatures allows you to obtain a capital of points to your credit - an arcade aspect fell into disuse in the following FPS. The arsenal at your disposal is just as well represented, each weapon inflicts different damages on your enemies: knives, pistols, machine guns and other gatling will therefore assure you the ascendancy over the increasing number of your victims.
The soldier Blazkowicz will be present all along by your side since his effigy appears in the middle of the HUD, at the bottom of the screen. His face changes attitude depending on what is happening in the game. You will see him react if he fires a round of bullets or if, on the contrary, he is wounded by his attackers. Her expressions also reflect her health as her face becomes covered with bloody wounds as her life decreases. A more accurate energy meter is however available next door.
The game is therefore intended to be immersive while not lacking in humor, between grotesque enemies yelling "guten tag !!!" Just before you shoot and the catchphrases that allow you to choose from the available difficulty levels. To name just one, the easiest mode is called "can i play daddy?" (Can I play dad?). Note that the choice of difficulty, precisely, changes the number of enemies and their ability to inflict damage. The bonuses that are legion and other secret passages hidden behind the Nazi hangings or behind a wall, remain unchanged.
To conclude, if every self-respecting player must know his classics, then he must know Wolfsenstein 3D which is THE classic in FPS. Unlike its elders, we find the basics of FPS as we know it today. This game marked its time thanks to a captivating atmosphere and nervous mechanisms, all packed in coherent content. The challenge is daunting and it will be very difficult to walk through the bowels to the end. Note however that the whole shows a serious blow of old for those who are neither nostalgic nor curious about the treasures of the past.
The notes
Graphics 17/20
Large square pixels, flat 2D enemies and very kitsch decor, in short, arguments that would not be worth such a note these days. However, it is a recipe that has shaped the success of this FPS. For the time, it was a revolution and many people sang the praises of this avant-garde graphics engine.
Gameplay 19/20
Nervous but docile, Wolfenstein 3D invents and innovates all at the same time. This is why we cheerfully forgive him for the heaviness shown by the character and this irritating propensity that the game has to want to wander us in its labyrinth. However, while nowadays many FPS are linear, it still has the merit of offering us complex and supplied levels.
Lifespan 16/20
The adventure which is divided into 6 parts will give you several tens of hours of pleasure. The id-software team even allows us to replay the title, hoping to beat the score of its friends.
Soundtrack 12/20
This is by far the aspect of the game that has aged the most. While some games showed a real commitment from the point of view of the soundtrack (like Alone in the dark, released the same year) Wolfenstein 3D, in addition to his cries in German very fendards gratifies us with a soundtrack to half sleepy. The music still manages to accompany us throughout the adventure and trots us in mind once the attention is drawn from the screen.
Scenario 10/20
The scenario is only a pretext for exploring the levels that separate you from the end of the game. Special mention for the opportunity to assassinate the little mustachioed (no, no, not Mario) scene that we do not will see more on screen before Inglorious Basterds, that is all the same 17 years later (Wolfenstein 3D is definitely a precursor title).
Wolfenstein 3D is a monument classified as a video game heritage and when it is handled it should be considered as such. The experience that the players were able to draw from it some twenty years ago has undoubtedly marked their vision of video games forever. If the software still benefits today from a tremendous aura of sympathy with the community, it is neither thanks to its outdated look, nor because of its rudimentary playability. But good because he is the founding father of our current FPS, the pioneer in one of the most popular genres of video games. As the software is available on Steam for the “modest” sum of € 5, it will be easy for you to explore again (or for the first time) the corridors of Wolfenstein Castle.
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