Wolfenstein: Youngblood Review

Once upon a time, it was difficult to imagine Wolfenstein as a franchise. While Wolfenstein 3D was a hugely-influential FPS, the Doom franchise quickly made Wolfenstein yesterday’s news.

After some less-than-memorable entries, the franchise restarted with 2009’s Wolfenstein. Ten years later, with Wolfenstein: Youngblood, the challenge is to create something engaging for fans and new players alike.

Ultimately, Wolfenstein: Youngblood is a partial success in this regard, tweaking the familiar formula with a few new twists. But the heart of gameplay is still the same, and this is not likely to be the game to win over harsh critics of the previous franchise entries.

Alternate History

The Wolfenstein game series has dabbled in alternate history for many years. After all, Wolfenstein 3D is a game where you can end World War II by shooting Adolf Hitler and his giant robo-suit.

But starting in Wolfenstein: The New Order, alternate history became the main focus of the narrative. That game was set in an alternate universe in which the Nazis actually won World War II. In that game, B.J. Blazkowicz helps form a resistance and kick off a new American Revolution against Nazi rule.

In Wolfenstein: Youngblood, the protagonists are actually the two daughters of Blazkowicz. They have been raised to fight (particularly against the remaining Nazi forces), and this adventure kicks off when their father goes missing.